Tomo

The PL is the true farmers league.

Because he didn't recommend him to the club, according to the report he recommended him to be his Napoli successor and Sarri then decided he wanted him here.

Apart from Luton we were barely managing the basics in Lampard's last two months. The idea we'd have had similar results had he stayed is wishful thinking at best. Furthermore, even if we somehow did, it would have likely been unsustainable papering over the cracks ala Arsenal's mini run in late December/January. While there's still room for improvement under Tuchel what we're seeing now is on another galaxy to the December/January garbage.

I was responding more to Nikki than you. The thing with Mount is while he will likely never be a star man himself he has attributes that are complimentary in playing with the stars, in that respect although not the very same position i see him similar to Pedro who has played with Messi and Hazard and not only fitted in but brought the best out of both. If anything Havertz and/or Ziyech in the team will make the need for someone like him or Gallagher even more important as we'll need someone to bring the level of workrate that those 2 won't. Furthermore, even if he was to get a reduced role that will still mean lots of gametime as Tuchel swears by rotation as we saw last night.

If we're going down the route of cheapining goals on opposition and assists then the same applies to 4 of Havertz 5 goals and 3 of his assists. Also last time i checked (December time) he was 4th in the league on chances created (and two of the three above him have their teams entire system's tailored for their benefit) and that's bigger barometer of individual creativity as that doesn't require someone else doing their job to go on record!

Weren't all the sources back at the time that Sarri wanted Kepa largely down to Pepe Reina's recommendation? Marina (wrongly in my opinion) is looking at it from the business perspective of we will struggle to get any serious money for him and have him on a contract for another four years. If it was all about saving face Bakayoko would have got some form of second chance aswell.

Haven't been that worried about his goal drought for these reasons. A) He wasn't down the middle for most of it. B ) He was still contributing with top class contributions, first goal tonight, SHU away, Spurs away, WHU home, Leeds away, Newcastle away where he made top contributions to a goal during his drought.

Is it just me who sees Mendy make some pretty simple saves and thinks Kepa would let that in and make it look unsaveable? Billy Sharp's overhead kick for example.

Did you have this same energy when Turnbull had an okay game? There was 'outrage' because he's proven to be catastrophic time and time again, and you mention his saves in those games but he also made criminal errors in both that we won't continue to get away with. The only other game this season before tonight he didn't make a big error was Krasnador and even then Mendy would have likely saved if not caught the shot that went in. Regarding his first season, his flaws were there to see even then we just gave him the benefit of the doubt/tried to convince ourselves it was a first season in England thing.

For aslong as he's playing 3atb got no problem with Alonso playing, especially as Chilwell has been off it for ages. But yeah Kepa can't play, he will cost us.

If we were going to insist on Kepa getting another chance couldn't we have atleast waited until Silva was back?.

Pretty much from the off he was regularly bypassed in midfield off the ball, Swansea at home (Costa hattrick game) he specifically had a shocker defensively IIRC. Against any opposition of real note (especially away) Mou drafted Rami in and made it 433.

It happened well before that especially from a defensive point of view, we were just on form as an overall team so it didn't matter much at that point.

On that basis we can never truly enjoy a LB again as they (likely) won't be as good as prime Cole.

And similarly to what happened with Mata the following season I could see another manager preferring Van De Beek (if Ole gets sacked).

Since he's signed they've (not just Bruno, United full stop) scored one goal from open play in 12 games against the big six with him on the pitch, bottled two semi finals and United's big game record has took a huge nosedive in the process.

Fuck that, flat track stat padder.

Of all the strange things to happen in the last year seeing Big Sam play a regista type has to top the lot.

Exactly the reaction i would have got if i said the same about Stones this time last year!

Given a similar type of defender who had similar issues in John Stones has had resurgence this season with Ruben Dias and combining that with Rudi/Zouma treating the ball like a hot potato vs pressing has strengthened my belief that i want to see him given a run with Silva.

Strangely I think it was the start of the following season our defense peaked. I remember a series of strikers came into our games on excellent form (Henry, Defoe, Darren Bent who had an unreal start at Charlton) and we made all of them look like pretty shit, even Henry.

If it weren't for Leicester's 5-2 win at The Ethiad our defensive record would be in trouble!

Who still thinks FSG are amazing owner? They proper did a Papy/Hector to Klopp on deadline day. Banter aside it's hard to enjoy this as much as I should, Leicester are the most vulnerable out of the current top four occupants and this will be a huge boost for them.

Will they? If anything the pandemic will be even harder felt this summer, the quiet January all round was ominous. Although unfortunately we will be part of that real world now with no Hazard and Morata cash burning a hole. If back 3 is the way we're going medium term and RJ will be considered wingback by TT maybe Mukiele? (although i'd back him in a 4atb aswell).

Difference is he'll be utilized more appropriately now.