OneMoSalah

Eddie Howe stealing a living if he gets that job. I mean forget his philosophy, his recruitment alone at Bournemouth in the PL was virtually abysmal so imagine giving him that sort of backing? Would be ridiculously ridiculous. I mean the guy shat taking on a job at Celtic in the summer, which would of gave him European exposure and a chance to rebuild his career like Brendan Rodgers did. I don’t think any PL club would touch him in all reality.

It is weird but also theres still plenty football coming up at the Christmas period and Saul has looked sharper recently so I still think he will have a part to play when its 2 games a week for however long or the 5 games in 15 days or whatever bullshit it will be. Then we have the Club World Cup to throw in which starts in 5 weeks and finishes on the 19th of December. Maybe the likes of Jorginho and Ruben are in better shape/form. I think TT also talked about Ruben deserving more starts a few weeks ago but Ruben’s revival of his Chelsea career has also shown TT is fair and if you do the business for him in training he will give you game time. I mean thats the thing when you have 25 good players where 90% of them are international players for big countries, someones going to miss out.

On Billy, I don’t think the situation at Norwich helps but its only 10 games into the PL season. Lets be realistic. Panic in the first week of January if it hasn’t changed. He’s already shown he can cut it here though, obviously the playing time is concerning but he’s sort of become an undroppable for Scotland despite not playing regularly since the Euros so I fancy he will end up back in the Norwich starting 11 soon. I’d be surprised if Farke, not desperate to get points, doesn’t use him as his ability on the ball is going to help them try go and score goals. Then Connor has made a very good impression at Palace so far but again, its 10 games in, he needs to do it for the full season as well before we go head over heels. And honestly, I don’t think he really did enough at WBA either last season to stand out despite his WBA YPOTY award which sort of coated over the measly offensive involvements he got in 30 starts and the fact they lost like 20 games he played in. Maybe if he was here he would of done also what Billy has done/similar impact/better impact but he’s never played for the first team so either way until he plays for us here, lets hope he keeps doing what hes doing at Palace. Thats the beauty of having Saul even if its just for the season, I still think when he’s properly up to speed with things here (hopefully he isnt going to be too far off now just needs regular match time you’d think because he looks much sharper the last couple of games to build up some momentum), he’s going to be able to step in and deliver giving the fact he has big game experience, has won a lot and played at the highest level whilst the young guys will be able to play regularly at Palace and Norwich hopefully,

Would expect some alterations tonight. Saul or Ruben to start in midfield perhaps (maybe even as a pair?) as well as Sarr and Alonso on the left side. Possibly see Pulisic too or even bring him in second half for some game time, actually excited to see him get back fit and see what he can do. Kepa Chalobah/AC - Thiago - Sarr Azpi/James - Jorg - RLC/Saul - Alonso Ziyech - Havertz - CHO/Pulisic

Emery would be a smart choice I think. Has shown at Sevilla and Villarreal he can make a very competitive side who will always likely be punching above their weight and right now. Never ever was a right fit for the likes of PSG or even Arsenal though.

Conte is more of a fit for Spurs than Nuno was ever going to be. That squad looks like it has to play a back 3, with wingbacks like Regulion and Emerson/Doherty. Be interesting to see if they finalise a deal for him now after failing 4 months ago. And if it falls apart or lasts.

When he runs at players, he makes things happen. Needs to keep going and do it most weeks. Sometimes he’s still playing too safe.

Have to admit I had my doubts but so far so good, Ruben has improved with Tuchel tactically - he looks as if he understands his role more, what to do without having to be continually reminded in terms of positioning with the ball and without the ball. He’s playing deeper, more box to box, suits him more than at 10 as he probably isn’t going to get enough goals or assists. I still think he might eventually get sick of playing maybe one week from the start then 20/30 mins for a few weeks etc though. Usually at his age you want to be a permanent fixture in the starting 11.

Good result, especially with the other fixtures results today. Still only 10 games though. In attack we have to be more clinical/creative, we aren’t going to have Reece or Ben scoring every week or get penalties every week either, so thats the only issue from today for me - not really playing quick enough or creating enough with the front 3 players. It is a reoccurring issue but even Kai, Hakim and Callum today. There wasn’t really a proper connection between them as a front 3. Callum needs to put the afterburners on and take his man on more often too, even more so with Chilwell coming inside more and more when we have the ball, thats what he excels at.

Reece and Bens crossing is horrendous 75% of the time, was exactly the same under Frank, nothing new. Not even got any other attacking players to bring on.

Need to keep going but the quality of play and chemistry between James and Ziyech on the right is extremely poor. Reece needs to play it a bit quicker takes far too many touches and then the run is offside/closed. Need a goal though.

Good crossing position, piss poor delivery….

I don’t think Xavi is really going to make an immediate impact or a huge huge improvement really in spite compared to how they were with Koeman because the team really is not good enough to compare with former Barcelona teams due to quality of personnel and aging members. They’ve got a lot of young guys but barring Pedri, Fati and Gavi none of them are exactly the sort of level where you go hmm few years that may give them something. They need to invest in some good players. Their identity situation is just like at United, their ex players and staff talk of the “Barcelona way “and same with the ex United guys with the “Man United way” but they will never successfully replicate that style with what they have right now. Personally think people read too much into oh its Barca they have to play this way with 70% of the ball or its Man United they need to play with wingers and play this way. Ultimately they need to find ways to win as it is what is expected at these clubs. No point losing games playing with the majority of the ball like they were with Koeman or trying to play “the Man United way” like with Ole. Plus like we seen with Villas-Boas and Sarri here, just because one style works in a less competitive league with one of the top teams, who’s to say it works with that team?

The Balon d’Or It is an individual award so why do people think that even if Messi scores near 40 goals, carrying the worst Barcelona team of the last 15 years ultimately winning nothing that it makes a difference? Or if Lewandowski scores 40-50 goals and won 1 trophy, that again it makes a difference? It doesn’t. It never has. It never will. Or to be more accurate perhaps, not since Ronaldo and Messi started winning it because thats when their numbers became incredible and then football was moving more and more towards attacking stats dominating the sport and the these types of awards. Modric winning it was an absolute shocker to everybody. It is impressive if those rankings are true, that Jorginho has made 5th and Kante 7th but the majority of other guys in that top 10 are attackers, the way football is so stat orientated was always going to mean that goal scorers will always be valued above midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers. Even if its not necessarily a fair reflection but thats why these level of attackers are so hard to find too because you don’t get many at this sort of level. Again who knows if thats even accurate but if it is, I don’t think a lot of people will be shocked guys like Lewa, Messi, Benzema, Salah are above Jorgi and Ngolo.

Yep fully agree. I mean really, why would we play 352 when we have no actual CF fit and have like 6 number 10s/attacking midfielders? I get it against a Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool etc where tight margins may decide games and being a lot more solid is useful - but not against Newcastle, who haven’t won yet in the PL and quite frankly barring ASM, are genuinely horrendous. Probably go as far as saying they are worse than Norwich. And thats tough. Obviously still have to show up, do the job and treat it professionally but playing two attackers would concern me.

Not getting him and/or Rudi to renew is going to be hugely disappointing and will also be a disaster considering how frequently and important they are under Tuchel. He will be furious if we don’t keep both of them never mind just one. Never even mentioned his ability either, he is probably very close to being/in the sort of top tier level of CBs in Europe IMO based on his levels since Tuchel came in.

To be fair the defence was shaky since the goal, Sarr really struggled after it and James also struggled on the right I felt particularly second half. Would say that Trevor was the only one out of the 3 who played a half decent game throughout really, although he could do better in some part still.

Had plenty of shots on target to be fair. Just poor finishing and even some of the half chances when we got in (Barkley and Kai had 2 excellent ones where Kai overran the touch clean through and Barkley never got onto Kai’s pass cleanly enough to put it past Forster), obviously performance not great mostly but still plenty opportunities. Only real positive from going to penalties tonight is not having to play the extra 30 mins to get there. Although should of wrapped it up before, definitely, with some of the chances. And I suppose looking at it in another way, getting another win on penalty shootouts is always going to be a good experience for this group. Already thats Villarreal, Villa and now Southampton already this season. Always good to have a habit of winning penalty shootouts, useful experience which may come useful in cup finals.

Yet people moaned about Callum playing there at the start but for me, Chilwell on the right is genuine baffling. Makes no sense, hasn’t got a right foot really. Already had Mount/Ziyech and CHO coming inside every time they could. So an inverted wingback, baffling.

That bloke playing CB for Southampton has had a very good game to be fair, Lyanco, but we have still made their GK have 3 or 4 big saves and now have got 13 shots on target from 22 or 23. Despite not playing anywhere near well enough and with a much changed XI that don’t have the same chemistry or experience playing together. Also Kepa what a save. And again.

Tbf 2 were good saves (1st one was an excellent save) and then the other yes hit the target but 2/3 efforts drawing 2 saves. Hardly “wastes” really as you’ve put it. The one whos wasted chances tonight has probably been Kai and Ross more than anyone. Sarr also having a nightmare since Soton goal.

Mason Mason Mason…. Just take an extra second there and you’d of found Kai…

Poor goal to concede. Kepa, Alonso and Sarr all bad there. Havertz clean through heavy touch and then Barkley doesn’t convert CHO’s pass which was maybe a wee tad on the heavy side.

Have to be honest, Saul looks a lot lot sharper than he did v Villa. With and without the ball. Getting about the pitch well, winning a lot of tackles, headers and isn’t afraid to run beyond the attackers even if he doesn’t get the ball. Was unlucky not to score his header but was a top save.

Nah I think playing 352 against Newcastle wont happen. They are so vulnerable defensively so anything bar 343 would be incredible I think. I mean they’ve not got real quality in midfield so we don’t need a third body in there really plus the wingbacks could come inside and create overloads like v Malmo and Norwich. Tbf, Tuchel’s said himself playing him out of position and his tough love approach is what he hopes will push him to become the player he thinks he can become. He’s also just played 2 games in an offensive positions v Malmo and Norwich (Southampton and Villa in league cup also IIRC?) where hes looked sharper and contributed so I don’t see why there is the sudden uproar about him doing a job for the team at RWB in a cup game where we have rested some players who have played a lot of football under Tuchel and will be needed in bigger games also (Azpi, Rudiger, Thiago Silva). Maybe Tuchels tough loves Working no? If anything, if he didn’t play RWB tonight and James still played RCB who would play RWB? Considering Azpi isn’t in squad (Resting? Minor knock? Personal issue? Who knows?) theres no one without playing Rudiger or someone (who probably isn’t needed tonight). Theres a reason why we went for Hakimi.