OneMoSalah

Are retired players not allowed to drink? Or you making stories up? Never heard that one before, if your talking about Jody Morris that is. I think some people forget that the majority of these guys spend 20 yesrs playing a high competitive sport which means they dont get the same freedom to do what they want or go to the pub with their mates or family or whatever like us regular folks do. Yes they get the money and whatever else but its a big exchange for a lot of sacrifices also.

Hes on about 300k a week. No chance it happens. I am sure he is highest paid defender, signed on a £14.5m base salary, rising to £21.7m with bonuses.

This is true. Regarding who may miss/may have missed if only 23, may have been Turnbull (a creative number 8/10), Nathan Patterson (a RB) and then Billy for sure. Although Turnbull would be the most likely to go out of any of the uncapped players by a country mile and somehow didn’t get in the last NT call ups which didnt go down well. But theres still also more senior players who weren’t in the last squad, Forrest, Griffiths, Cooper, so it wouldnt even be a guarantee he takes any of them. I think our biggest concern with our squad is a lack of goals/creativity. Which is why I think as mentioned above Turnbull has to go. Then theres Ryan Gauld who’s came off a good season in Portugal for Farese (who are like 17th), with 8 goals 7 assists and a lot of big opportunities created in 30 games (think he’s created or made more passes that have lead to chances for his team than most players in the division based on the information doing the rounds) which makes him an obscure, wild card choice but again someone who I can see making it based on the creativity he could bring. Ultimately who knows now though I think SC will be very predictable though and would probably bring the tried and tested bunch he usually picks bar maybe swapping out McLean for Turnbull if he is injured and wont make the tournament and maybe bringing the likes of James Forrest, Liam Cooper then one either Gilmour/Patterson/Gauld. I’d like to see them all 3 of them go obviously on top of Turnbull as the four of them would give us some younger blood and but the midfielders would definitely be a nightmare to pick then also.

Hes a 50m player we have to start treating him like one unfortunately which I think at times people are forgetting. I tend to remember the slagging off Morata and Abraham used to get for being offside a lot on here. Morata still gets it from Juventus fans too and deservedly so because he has scored like 13 offside goals this season. Should we not be holding these sort of similar players to the same standards no? Instead of being impartial and ignoring it for one guy after others would be chastising others for the same? The Spurs one though the point is, he’s still well positioned to look across the line.... which is why I mean its lazy, it would be the same for any CF/attacker. I think as well if some of these results had swung the other way also, there would be more concern and much more criticism. Ultimately he looks like he’s maybe turning the page but these things, being caught offside frequently, not looking across the line, you can accept it a few times but the top goalscoring players don’t get caught out far too often. The top PL top scorers, Kane, Salah, Son, Fernandes and Calvert-Lewin, have been offside 13, 13, 15, 3 and 17 times. Yes Rashford and Vardy may have high offsides but ultimately they aren't sitting with 6 goals 8 assists in 2428 minutes. Both have 10+ goals (Vardy 13, Rashford 10) and 9 assists in the PL). I mean you do want him to score more right? Hows he going to score more if he perhaps can’t stay/get himself back onside or look across the line more often? Shouldn’t that not be an obvious problem for a CF if he is in the top 5 for offsides when he only has 6 league goals?

And that was you shouting he was a more offensive manager than Tuchel a few weeks back due picking more attacking players.... Doesn’t guarantee anything. Particularly if their too top heavy with players who don’t put the work in on the other side.

I suppose he will get more minutes definitely now with the next few weeks so he has a chance to make a late push. Re Walcott was that not more due to a lack of pace out of the other options? I am sure that was what Sven has said about it. For us our midfield is probably our strongest area right now as mentioned in another post to Jason at some point last week. I did notice Kenny McLean may be out of Euros now due to an injury he got for Norwich so it opens the door for one of Billy or Ryan Gauld perhaps, but perhaps again they’d be more there as backups as the majority of the regulars in midfield will be going I would think and probably be ahead in the managers mind as they were big part of getting us to the Euros. Who knows though, I think the experience would be good for Billy and also give us a chance to mix it up but I do feel its too little too late. Plus theres boys like Ryan Christie, Stuart Armstrong, who can play as further advanced midfielders as well with 2 of those 4 or 5 named above also. So its not as straightforward as people might think. Id still say even with 26 man squads its not going to be a cert or even a huge possibility unless he plays every week. Steve Clarke didn’t call him up after his wee run in the team with Lampard either last season so I doubt after 2 games v Fulham then City it will make him more liable to pick him.

Its a bit of a mix maybe for some people but it has been reoccurring this season. Some of the ones v City and Madrid were painful though and thats why Ian Wright has maybe had his say. I suppose big games this late on in the season means more so maybe why it gets more attention also. There have been others undoubtedly of the same ilk due to a lack of awareness or laziness to not get onside. I do agree some teams play the offside system very well but some don’t, some just sit off us in a deep block. I get he was unlucky v Liverpool a while ago with one offside but theres got to be a point as well where you have to also think should he not be able to be smarter or see across the line more for some others no? Its as if he hasn’t learned from any of these moments... particularly v Real from Chilwell’s pass. That was criminal for me, hes quicker than all of their players there. One of the disallowed goals v City tbf hes no chance in making it back realistically having seen it again hes about 3 yards offside but there was another ball played to him where he’s so lazily just standing offside, like its frightening how he’s even thinking he isn’t offside there, the one where he rounds Ederson. Also against Spurs back in November, hes looking across the line, blatantly offside, scores yes but has to hold his run although the pass can come sooner but as it didn’t, its still lazy to get caught off when your looking right across the line, like you’d expect that in youth football... cant remember any more of the top of my head but inevitably there will be others and will do some further digging because 26 offsides cannot be purely down to bad luck, playing style or good offside traps. I do get his playing style also maybe contributes at times or his role but other players who have similar roles in teams such as Son, Martial, Salah, Sterling, are all offside much less considerably than Werner is. So I wouldn’t disagree with what Ian Wright has said or say that its purely just down to his style, its down to a lot more than that. As I said I remember the stress and annoyance from Morata being offside far too often here, I dont see how its unfair or any different for Werner. Even more so considering how many teams bar the top ones, actually sit in against us and play a deep block. To have 26 offsides in the league when probably more than 50% of the games is against smaller teams who play in or around their own 18 yard box in a low block limiting space in behind is extremely annoying.

If he keeps playing regularly now I think so, or certainly hope, but probably has to play well in at least another 3 games for the full duration. He only has 309 minutes this season in CL and PL. If the season finished yesterday it would not be enough. Not sure how many cup games hes played but having not played over 1000 minutes in a combination of the league or CL against higher quality opposition probably doesn’t help.

Cmon Jason its not just been v City. He has been offside a lot, 26 times this season, 4th highest in the league, only behind Mane, Watkins and Vardy. Some of them are sheer laziness not looking across the line. For his pace, he has to learn. As I remember this was the same criticism for Morata a lot here also.

We have to beat this Arsenal team. Leno, Saka, Tierney, Gabriel, Partey, Smith-Rowe, Aubamayang (has been shite this season) are really their only really good players plus Martinelli is promising. They’ve struggled and have a soft mentality. Whilst they have other decent/reasonable players the likes of Chambers, Holding, Nkeitah, Elneny, Ceballos, Cedric, Pepe aren’t good enough or consistent enough, as neither are they as a group.

It is lazy to be caught offside continuously when you have his speed tbf. As it was for Morata. He is improving against bigger teams though but the offside thing is frustrating as it cost us another goal v City as did Callum again afterwards also not seeing the line and adjusting his run with his pace. Particularly considering Dias and Laporte whilst arent slow aren’t exactly Usain Bolt.

I would start him again against Arsenal tbf. If you can play how he did v City then he can certainly do it v Arsenal.

Theres no confirmation re Ashley Young yet. It probably depends on Conte and what/if the club has new investors or owners or whatever. They have to reduce their operating costs by 15% apparently. Also on Kolarov, hes played like 7 games this season. He may as well not have signed him.

Lets be honest. If it was a penalty, wasn't a penalty who cares. That City team needed a win to win the PL. Which nobody is talking about. They can say its a different game the CL final, which is true but surely confirming the title at home is as close to as big a game as they’re gonna have this season to a cup final no? Plus if Hudson Odoi and Werner were able to stay onside it probably would of been 4-1. Second half was almost Conte esque when we won 3-1 at the Etihad tbf, just turned it around and looked the only likely team to win. Plus they are saying it wont be the same City team in the final, what about our 11? Gilmour wont start. Alonso wont start. Thiago Silva will definitely start. One of Jorginho/Kovacic will be in. Mount will undoubtedly start. Both teams have strong squads, who cares who played, both 11s should be capable of playing at a high level. They will not be looking forward to the CL final, Tuchel’s definitely the man to get a reaction and bridge the gap between the inexperience we have in the group against City plus you look at how everyone is responding to going behind, the spirit must not be underestimated compared to this group under Lampard. I wouldn’t even say City were that good first half either. Two mistakes. Plus they threw on Gundogan, Foden, played 2 strikers, had Sterling, Laporte, Dias, Ederson.... you’d think they played their under 23s by the reaction of some of these idiots in the media or on social media.

Excellent performance after a difficult game v Fulham. Well in.

What a turn around. If we play like we did 2nd half in the CL final we win. Simple as.

Christensen cost us that goal. No need to initiate first contact or just head it out for a throw or even concede the corner. Yes he hurt himself but still, made a mistake.

Mo Salah? Maybe my username will be more appropriate if it happens..... unlikely though. Cant see it.

Seen something that he is considering a 442 of sorts and hasn’t ruled out 433 or 4231 also. But I do agree re dont fix what isn’t broken, this 343, I still think we are probably much better playing it and much much closer to competing for trophies with it as opposed to going to a back 4 with whatever in front of it and in attack. It just suits the squad more. I think 3/4 quality additions in a few areas the summer with this squad already as well - as young guys like Mount, James, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz, Pulisic, being another season better off, guys like Christensen, Werner (if he isnt as bad as large parts of this season again), Ziyech (again like Werner, if he isnt as bad as large parts of this season), Rudiger, Kovacic also being in the 25-28 age bracket which is generally when players come in and around/reach their best/better/peak years - with this formation and manager, we will be better placed to challenge City than most next season. I just have a feeling. I mean we still have a lot to play for this season and could end up winning a double. Which will show people that this shape is the way to keep going with, absolutely.

This is true. Last season I felt he put an identity on Arsenal though, they played 4 at the back but it went to a 3 with the ball with Tierney sort of tucking in more like a left sided CB than Pushing on as a wing back. They weren’t breathtaking or had obvious quality but could play more direct if they wanted to with Aubamayengs pace and his tendency to drift out wide or play a bit more patient and shorter despite not having a huge deal of creativity in midfield. They had intensity and a structure that made them difficult to play against. I think now though he is on the way out. He just said 90% of his squad tonight have never played in a semi final... which is utter bullshit. Even more so considering they won an FA cup last season going through the process of playing quarters and semis to win. Likes of Aubamayang, Bellerin, Tierney, Willian, Partey, fuck even Rob Holding, all played tonight and have won trophies, playing cup finals and semi finals. Then even the squad in general, David Luiz, Granit Xhaka, Lacazette, hes got a lot of players in there with trophies and experience of these ties. Or in big games to know that they should do better. Just watching them tonight, chasing a goal to flip the tie basically, from like the 70th min onwards they gave away so many stupid fouls for balls they were never winning, like for me that was as big a sign as to how immature a team they are and how immature and out of his depth Arteta as a manager is. Young teams needs a manager and some senior pros to guide them and make up for the lack of experience or immaturity in their decision making at times. Be that playing some older heads or telling them to be a bit more smarter etc, Villarreal and Emery just used all their experience. They were desperate, so Villarreal just managed the game excellently, winning fouls, taking the hits knowing they were coming etc slowing it right down. My mate is an Arsenal fan and he said regarding tonights game for them and this is a direct quote from a group chat “Arteta’s arrogant belief in this slow backwards orientated passing style of football is predictably mind numbing and nothing like Guardiola who he is obviously dying to be like, should be learning his trade at a smaller club where the stakes aren’t as high” which has escalated now to the point where now he would take Sarri or Graham Potter in to replace him 😂 To be honest he was telling us last season he wasnt up to much and nobody listened... Tbf I fully agree. But you’d think even if this take over goes ahead or doesn’t, whoever the owner is would be doing their club an absolute disservice not sacking Arteta before its well too late. Its close enough. He may not have had huge money like other clubs but they have got players that are better than their league position reflects. 100%. Guys like Tierney, Partey, Leno, Gabriel, Aubamayang, Smith-Rowe, Saka, Lacazette, Bellerin... to be sitting 9th and only looking like its going to get even worse. It is incredible. 😂

Ive never seen a team chasing a goal to flip a tie give away so many stupid fouls than Arsenal. Araenal have stagnated after last season. Arteta went from someone who put his stamp on a team and got results to looking like one of the worst managers in the PL in 12 months. Wow.

Haha maybe. I just felt Liverpool would have more intensity and could deal with our energy more than Real would. I suppose those 2 legs though against most teams would be more than enough.

If its true they want to sell him after 2 seasons well that escalated quickly.... 🤣 The grass is never greener, as some might have warned before selling him (I am sure there was a handful who said it that going to Madrid whilst maybe he deserved it, it was dangerous) but even now personally I think this squad has the right characters and players to keep building around with the addition of a CF, a CM and CB instead of making unnecessary buys. Would go and say that he is close to being basically finished by what I have seen in the last 18 months - although writing someone of his talent off is dangerous but still, even at his worst for us that season with Hiddink he was better than what he has been at Madrid. I suppose the sentimental and nostalgic side of it will still attract people to the idea. I mean he’s 30 now. He’s not got that long left at the top level (even time at this rate). It would take a dramatic change in how he looks after himself and his attitude for him to regain the level he had before I think, I mean why do people think he probably had his best 3 seasons here as a player under 3 stricter demanding managers in Jose, Conte and Sarri? I think hes going to have a stinker at the euros as well if I am honest.

Defensively carried? I would have to disagree. I think Jorginho more than held his own out there defensively also tonight. Otherwise the whole team performance wouldnt have been so strong as particularly second half we really kicked it up a notch, you need both CMs to do the dirty stuff. Kante maybe looked like he was getting more in peoples faces but Jorginho was booked on the 14th minute (his only foul all game IIRC) so whilat walking a potential tightrope, to still have made the game high amount of 6 interceptions and 2 tackles which was more than Kante’s 5 inteceptions and 1 tackle, shows he did more than hold his own imo. Yes Kante was excellent tonight no doubt but also this was hugely to the fact he made 3 key passes and carried the ball very well on top of his interceptions and tackle as well as being heavily involved for both goals. I think, much like the Matic-Kante partnership with Conte, this Jorginho and Kante partnership only works so well when both players play well in there. Lets not forget they played a 3 in there tonight Madrid with Casemiro, Kroos and Modric and bar an iffy bit in the first half when he got booked, you couldn’t really say Jorginho put a foot wrong. I get people are always split on him but don’t think theres anyone who could say he was a passenger or carried tonight. Not a chance.

We debating it prior to the game after Fulham regarding would he go with Kai or Werner but he played both from the start and ultimately, if we had put the ball in the net for the second goal or for a potential third goal or maybe even a fourth goal much earlier when we had the chances, people would of been praising the selection. Plus I think the effect Pulisic had from the bench was helped by Madrid being a bit weathered, he was fresh legs, they’d just spent however long chasing Werner running in behind him. So either way if it was Pulisic or Werner coming in I think they’d of both had the same effect personally in the way that they’d have affected the game. Both are different players but both have real pace and either way Ramos, Militao, Nacho wouldn't of wanted to see another fast player coming in regardless of who it was. As you’ve said you want the players to start to make an impact, as well as the players coming from the bench if its required. Thats the sign of a strong squad. Even Azpi at RWB and Christensen on the right of the three with Silva and Ruidger. I mean what did Hazard do? Or Farlan Mendy? Not one selection of the team he made tonight played out badly. People complained v West Ham having Azpi at RWB. And also that we played 3 CBs and Azpi at RWB in the first leg.