Tomo

Wouldn't want him as our next captain over Reece, the latters first words to Koulibaly was "ready to win trophies" while the former is celebrating equalizers against non league teams harder than Drogba in Munich and making excuses for that nations league mess. I know who i'd rather lead us. He's also far from a sensible signing. Moyes' compact underdog system is known for aiding defensive minded players to look a lot better than they actually are. City and Madrid got duped into buying Lescott and Gravesen respectively because of it and look how much better Zouma looks now compared to how out of his depth he was with the more "complex" tactical responsibilities under TT, Lampard (before he dummed down the system post lockdown) and even Conte. Going from a team happy to cede possession to one that aims to dominate even against City is a gigantic change. I hope i am wrong but this has all the hallmarks of a Lukaku level stylistic mismatch.

God that would be depressing, especially for £100m plus, £70m even.

A very long way to go until i declare myself totally proven wrong (if he plays a big role in bringing us home the points vs United and Arsenal then we maybe start talking) but at this moment in time he's doing very well and can only hope he keeps it up. Unlike certain other record signings i have always had respect for his self awareness and the way he's conducted himself so i will have fond memories of him despite everything even if this is a purple patch.

Arsenal played half their first team Thursday night in a Europa group they have total control of. The lack of depth will catch them out in a season like this.

Chelsea's number 19 away to Gerrard. Swear I've heard that one before.

The one downside to having such a world class player is it's hard to get anyone of note in as backup knowing that's all they'll be. It was easier on the left because Chilwell isn't anywhere near untouchable even when fully fit.

What I'm seeing is 6-8 weeks so hopefully not that bad. Although it will probably be a while till he re hits the levels he did vs Milan. I swear this happens to him every single time he's approaching "fullback Mbappe" levels.

Arsenal playing 4/5 first teamers (White, Saliba, Odegard, Saka, Tierney (?) ) in a Europa group they have control of. Like i said last week, no way their depth holds through when the fixtures start piling up.

They're an absolute eyesore under Gerrard but competitive in big games and got a recent draw against City. Won't be as easy as the form of both suggests it should be.

To be honest I thought he was poor outside of the goal but what I like is he works hard enough to allow the system to work despite that. When you know who was playing poorly we were effectively down to ten and some guy up front wandering around hoping for a tap in.

Villa fans are slaughtering and I mean slaughtering him.

Possibly but I've given up second guessing when Silva will wind down/hit father time. I thought 21/22 he would have more a squad role but the total opposite happened.

Our experience of dealing with such insane schedules could stand us in good stead. Arsenal have no experience of it and Conte collapses when faced with a packed schedule. Dare I say in a crazy season like this we may be able to sneak into (outside) title contention if Potter masters rotation going forward aswell as he did yesterday.

I was worried when they signed Diaz and appeared to be getting Tchoameni but yeah that does look like being the case. I do highly rate the former though, if Liverpool are going back to Rodgers/Kenny/early Klopp days hopefully he doesn't waste his prime years there.

They've got zero depth and a fee injuries away from relying on Holding, Lokonga and Nketiah again. Compare that to us who can rotate 7 and still easily win, that will tell in a season like this.

Normal service will be resumed when the fixture pile up kicks in.

In 2008 or 2011? The latter is when we should have tried the hardest, not when he was already tied down in Levy's jail.

2008-2012 we did a really poor job with our squad and Deco as okay as he was as forefront of my frustrations. A 23 year old Modric was avaliable and the perfect man to kick-start the building of the next team.

With the way this season is scheduled the league table and cup competitions could well come down to who rotates their squad the best. So in that regard very promising start. Not to mention our squads experience of dealing with hectic schedules (one of the big reasons I didn't and still don't think the North London duo will finish above us).

Potter coming out of Stamford Bridge tonight. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiSe8PMAwcB/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The problem is as much as i've liked Auba of late do we create as much as we have so far with him up top? We fell into the "get a #9 to finish what we create" trap last season.

That notion is is abolsute myth. Players who play in the Spanish 3rd division and levels similar play in it because that's their ability level, nothing more nothing less. Solanke and Brewster leaving us for "more chances" hasn't helped them get particularly far.

No we got them in the group the year he left but he couldn't be registered due to signing after the window. I think now he will get a good reception but he wouldn't have been so much if he made an early return with Athletico with the situation still raw.

I don't agree. If we're talking when he's covered for Mendy he should have saved KDB's shot, was rooted to his line for the Brighton corner and fucked up badly vs Spurs in the second leg only for them to one up him and conspire to be offside. I'd say the Salzburg goal would have been saved by most keepers aswell. There's also the encouragement he gives opposition players to factor in aswell, Tielmens practically admitted he went "fuck it it's Kepa" in the cup final.

I wonder if the mental aspect (the recent record in those games) will come into play next week. I remember when we had the curse on Arsenal I was so confident in those games, even in 15/16.