Tomo

Pundits are just generally lazy, listening to them talk about it their train of thought was basically "he's the poacher who finish what they create" without realizing to accomodate him you take out an integral piece of the creative puzzle. Us fans (and i include myself in this as the Arsenal and Villa games sucked me into wondering if i was overeacting) should be ignored during the honeymoon period of a new signing, what will piss you off after a year is spun as a positive in the early days.

I'm not ready for another 90 minutes of Lukaku, it's too soon.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/aftv-regular-handed-increased-prison-sentence-for-violent-stalking-311800 One of the AFTV regulars sent to prison for violent stalking.

It's not hindsight though. Me, @King Kante and others called it. Nothing he has pulled so far has surprised me, from his disappearing acts in big games to highly inflated opinion of himself.

I'll put it another way. Does his prime version get into this team, Jose's first or even Carlo's double one? And if so ahead of who?

Unpopular opinion, Cahill should have been nothing more than a squad player.

Unfortunately that's their MO in general. Look at the difference in reaction to Martial wanting out compared to Kane last summer.

Don't get me wrong i very much think he's at fault but have a slightly different train of thought. It starts with playing Lukaku (and to a lesser extent Pulisic and Ziyech). That sets the tone, i don't think the approach was deliberate (like Conte's was) as he was quite visably pissed when attacks broke down and our possession wasn't that low but a mix of City's pressing and Lukaku being his usual lazy self set the tone. The reason City are so good is because everyone works hard and is involved in the build up, the reason we beat them three times last season is because we matched that. Against City the same front three as in Porto is a must. I think people actually underestimate just how much Lukaku is holding this squad back from a playing style POV? Would we have won yesterday without him? Who knows but worst case we go down kicking and screaming, Tuchel needs to accept his mistake like Real did with past his prime Eden.

He whole narrative was based on spinning mental gymnastics to defend Lukaku. If anything yesterday's approach (wrong as it was) played closer to Lukaku's strength's, he had two glorious opportunity's and fucked them both up. His comments on the Liverpool game were laughable, not in a million years do we play with such intensity with him on the pitch.

I love him but no, he's done.

Prime Eidur Gudjohnsen would be a dream in this system.

I can't use the UCL final to big up at player's ability level not named Cech, can't fault the effort (especially from the semi injured CBs) but let's be honest if it weren't for Petr that final ends up god knows what. Barca for sure in that second half he plays a blinder (he was the hero of that Torres moment with his interception) which makes me wonder why he was not tried as a CB more often, he genuinely looked better there. In general though our big game record went to shit with him playing them. I actually did an article on it shortly after I joined this site, the contrast in both loses and goals conceded with and without him was far too big to be a coincidence.

I personally believe Kai up top is the way forward but as that's not happening Broja is the big hope. I think he can get there eventually whether it's as early as next season remains to be seen. But we will likely need a cheap/loan option to come good to offset the Rom fee (ala Mendy/Kepa) so Broja is the hope here.

Funny you mention Bosingwa because he also single handedly turned our big game record shit like Rom has.

Imagine Gerrard's long shots against him...... Edit:beaten to it.

Unless he keeps playing Lukaku unconditionally then no. I saw more than enough pre the injury's to know a largely fully fit side under him can challenge.

The stench of his 19/20 season will always give teams encouragement from long range. Tielmens said he was told by a friend to hit it if he had the chance and sadly he did.

Whether we could attract him is another matter but Karim Adeyemi would be perfect for a LF role

They were but the difference is they're getting held to account. They got hauled off and probably won't start again for a while bar the Plymouth game. Lukaku was given the 90 and will likely be rewarded with another start on Tuesday.

I'm clinging onto the hope they've "made up" the same way Conte and Costa did and next season we can start afresh without this little brat.

Broja might just might give us a get out of jail free card.

Havertz and Werner have a lot of uses despite their goal struggles. The former at false 9 facilitates us playing really enjoyable football and the latter causes teams headaches with his pace and pressing. Lukaku is such a non entity in general play the only way he justifies his inclusion as an untouchable is with Messi and Ronaldo figures.

Actions speak louder than words. I'll believe it when I see it.

If Tuchel is going to insist on playing him unconditonally then he needs to get on the phone to Rafa and asked him how he set up the compact Liverpool team that geared up everything towards Torres. The thought of making such a change for his sake makes me want to throw up but something has to give and fast.

Not even Torres held the team back this much.