OneMoSalah

And let me guess, Reece James error v West Ham and performances in the last few games mean nothing in the grand scale of things? We all knew he was a very good young player, who can make the grade for sure but I seen people saying he was better than Wan Bissaka on here before he had even kicked a ball in the PL.... if Azpi is struggling play James and if James is struggling play Azpi... even if their both struggling just play one of them and not both.... Regardless, Frank needs to play 1 RB and 1 LB. The fact he sees fit to play 2 RBs in the same backline for me means that both Emerson and Alonso are either definitely not good enough or theres something else entirely going on.

For me, dont know about anyone else, that is and never has been an appropriate excuse. Being realistic, we still have to finish in the top 4 this season because we still have enough in the squad to do so 100%. Playing youngsters is all well and good and there will be mistakes but look at the other players in the squad, as I argued before we appointed Frank, even without Eden I would imagine someone like Max Allegri (who was continuously linked) would probably manage to get top 4 for sure with this group of players. Any other manager, with the transfer ban, with Eden going, the expectation from the club would still be pushing for top 4. We are still there and theres about but Frank has made some questionable decisions in games and with his line ups (2 RBs in a flat back 4) that if other managers had (some have) made, theyd get slaughtered for. We can't have it both ways and hopefully this LB and CB issues will be addressed in January because if we keep playing with 2 RBs and a weak centre back pairing, we are gonna struggle. Team shape also leaves a lot to be desired at times.

This playing a RB at LB thing is beyond a joke. In 2 ways, offensively we definitely do suffer and also it makes us look as if we are concerned about the oppositions right winger that much. Jose got constant criticism for it although we lacked at LB and I must admit, Frank deserves the same criticisms (even more so maybe) because he has got 2 LBs avaliable to pick from as well. Yes they arent perfect but fuck me, surely Emerson or even Alonso has to play ahead of a RB at LB or are they really that bad (know Alonso isnt everyones cup of tea and would fit that category)? I mean having 2 RBs and 2 LBs but continously lining up with 2 RBs is absolutely baffling. If it was working maybe then it would make sense but it isnt. Or is Reece James and Azpilicueta that good that he needs to play both every week? Not convinced entirely. If he wants to play both he has to go for a 343. Simple as that.

Luiz consistent? In both spells he had one good season where he wasnt an absolute liability at centre back. Unless I missed something? Or your judging him as a midfielder despite talking about CBs? Reece James and Callum Hudson Odoi got the same as well at the start of the season. Reece has done alright but as I said ages ago, Azpi was only struggling after his minor bad spell due to being exposed/out of position when we lost the ball on transitions. Nothing else. Bad result. Again, people will be nice towards Frank and say he is learning and we have a young team but they need to wake up and be a bit tougher. Losing to West Ham and Everton in the space of 10 days for a squad that has players like Kepa, Zouma, Jorginho, Emerson, Azplicieuta, Kovacic, Kante, Willian, Pulisic, Abraham etc is probably not good enough.

Seen in an article "Roman Abramovich is a fan of" please no, still remember Yuri Zhirkov...

They are definitely 2 CBs and at least a very good midfielder away from being reasonably up there for the top 4 although they could scrape it if their attackers carry them. They have got pace in Martinelli, Lacazetta, Aubamayang and Pepe and those guys are very capable of scoring goals. Another mystery is Ozil, just looks as if he can't be fucked but he still can find that killer pass if he gets the chance. With proper movement in front of him he is still capable of providing key passes and assists but he hasnt been the same since Ramsey and Sanchez left. I am really surprised at how poor Torreira has been for Arsenal, I really really liked the look of him for Sampodria, a proper all action midfielder with a good rounded game. Think if they got Allegri or Ancelotti, an Italian speaking coach, maybe it would help him as I think he is struggling to accustomize to the PL (linked with return to Serie A every window) and the language barrier. Continously playing Kolasinac ahead of Kieran Tierney is also awful decision making. No comparison between the two although fitness hasnt helped Tierney. Bellerin hasn't really picked up where he left off but can be a decent player still and I think losing Oxlade-Chanberlain and Ramsey they lack energy in midfield. I hope they dont get Poch or Allegri.

Wait and see these pricks will up their game, if not I will not be surprised if that big screwball Duncan Ferguson batters fuck out of them at fulltime 🤣 One positive though we won't be the worst team at defending set plays on the pitch today, which is something we cant say very often. Anyway, aye. Must win game. 5-0, 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 whatever just get the result, especially in this period where games are coming thick and fast. No doubt they will be more up for it than they would of been under Silva, whos career has really gone to shit since like 4 months into the season with Watford. Quite gutted they sacked him prior to this game as his team really have been rolled over a lot and look very soft. Torn about what I would prefer to happen in the Manchester Derby tbf, City lose and we go level on points with a win... United lose and we win we are 11 clear of them... fuck it.

Top players are top players regardless of whos around them. Youd think he was surrounded by League 1 players or managers throughout his time here the amount of times that was used as an excuse.

His CL record was always poor here and at Lille. In the big games I cant remember him really having any huge performances bar Atletico under Conte. Maybe be a few games against smaller teams he has excelled but that wont sit right with the Real fans though, he will be judged if that doesnt improve although even Bale has decided CL finals for them and they dont like him...

Think the contract and change in formation has fucked him indeed. First season, despite his lack of pace, he was very good as was Moses (who surprised a lot of people on here undoubtedly). Us not getting Alex Sandro and one of Kyle Walker or Antonio Candreva (tried and trusted for Contes Italy in that role at times) in the summer or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in January (not certain he would of been best fit for us at RWB enitrely but did do the job for Arsenal relatively well) kind of left us behind in those wing/full back positions. I dont think Marcos was ever Conte's first choice (like Luiz) but he came in first year, did very well and then started well the next seasom before going to shit. Id be really surprised if he is still here next season, especially if one of Chillwell/Gaya is signed. Selling Emerson to Juve is another reoccurring rumour but I do hope we keep him although in the past 2 months or so a new contract has been continously mooted and fuck all has happened with that. Juve have followed him since he was at Roma so long standing interest is defos there.

Likes of Valencia, Pogba and De Gea perhaps who he is meaning. Dont picture them as leaders in comparison to Terry and Zanetti but again modern day footballers, these breed of players are dying out.

Chillwell/Gaya, Sancho and Isco/Ziyech would be good buys but dont see us getting any in January or perhaps even the summer (mainly Isco and Sancho). Ake is no better than what we have so shouldnt be considered at all. The buyback and fact he came through our academy is probably only thing linking him because he has hardly impressed for Bournemouth that much in all honesty, who have an awful defensive record too since coming up.

Ahead of Mount in the 10 role. 100%. Dont think he will come here though, on his day an excellent player but Zidane said he counts on him. As mentioned he seems to be content at Madrid too.

Much needed win with Spurs losing and United getting 3 points. Need to keep winning to build up a points cushion on the others particularly before we play Arsenal and Spurs. Top 4 race is going to be very interesting indeed.

The same way Lukaku was a Chelsea fan, at a club who sell (Everton after we sold him), who was going to resign here because he wanted to prove himself here after loans, being sold and whatever else bla bla bla, before be ended up chosing United over us? Its easy to put 2+2 together and assume things. Theres still different angles and views, personally if he has the choice to choose between us and some of the teams hes linked with, I dont think he will be coming here and I could see why. Even then, the big money weve recieved or will receive, I still doubt we will go mad and spend 100m or more (he could potentially go for 150m if he has a very good 2nd half of the season) for a player who has only played 18 months of first team football. Another concern I think the club and Frank will see is that he has shown discipline and punctuality problems in the last 3 or 4 months as well as the whole scapegoating thing which I think all are part of a pretty ridiculous ploy to accelerate a move from Dortmund. People also think that players being fans of certain teams makes it an absolute cert they will go there. It doesnt neccessarily make a difference. There will undoubtedly be a bidding war for Sancho this January or in the summer, whoever pays Dortmunds price will get him and thet will get a huge fee over 100m if it goes how I think it will (they say hes avaliable to leave in the summer when all the big clubs prefer to do business). He realistically could have United, City, us, Liverpool, PSG, Real, Bayern and Barca all going for him if the rumors are to be believed. I do think we will be nowhere near the favourites, I mean Barca, Real and Bayern even if they are in a bit of a mess, they still get pretty much most players willing to walk to their stadiums to sign for them. If they are geniunely in for him is another matter but I do think Bayern and Barca will most likely be as well as Liverpool.

Because he was fit then got reinjured against Wolves IIRC. Similarly to Kante and Emerson around that same period of time. Anyway stuck on a boat with shite wifi so cant get the game, heres hoping we get a result.

Pepe still has time to come good, coming from Lille in the French league (at a level inferior to what Eden came from when we got him) to the PL is different. He is a good player, tad overrated (which is why I am happy we didnt get him at first because I thought he would need time to get upto speed in the PL and at 72m wasnt the best value) and his inflated fee hasnt helped along with Arsenals Arsenals inconsistencies. Still think Pulisic has got plenty to work to do although he has impressed me, didnt doubt his ability based on a difficult season at Dortmund but their were people who wrote him off before he had even kicked a ball.

Have to disagree with this. A lot of people keep comparing what Franks building here to what Klopp started at Liverpool when he first came in but you look at Klopp's Liverpool team now and they only really became potential trophy winners when they strengthened at the back by signing Van Dijk and Alisson. They had the high press, brilliant attack, reasonably solid midfield but lacked defensively and that limited their potential as a team. Joel Matip is a decent player but he is 10 times the player next to van Dijk and there is no comparison between Alisson and Karius. Take those 2 and even Fabinho out of their team and I doubt theyd of made back to back CL finals. Even Man City under Pep, the first year he had Kolorov, Zabaleta and Bravo as 3 of his 5 players in the defense. He signed Mendy, Walker and Ederson and they won the title the next season. They were better defenders, much better suited to playing defensively in a Pep Guardiola team in the way he likes his teams to defend high. People dont look at their defences but if City had Zabaleta, Kolarov and Bravo playing every week still they wouldnt be winning trebles and if Liverpool didnt have Van Dijk and Alisson they probably wouldnt of won the CL. Good defence is still just as necessary in modern day football, regardless of if your an offensive minded team or a much more defensive minded team. Cant outscore teams every game if you cant keep goals out at the other end. Brendan Rodgers Liverpool back 5 or 6 years ago or so is proof of that.

Just depends. At Derby he wasnt exactly hugely productive in terms of creating chances I felt. Vitesse he was and youth level but that league is a lot more open and lower quality. Probably finding the same thing this season, higher quality of opposition, a lot more mixed tactics, where the final ball has to be perfect because you might not get that many chances. His last assist was against Burnley. His last goal at club level was against fuck knows.

Billy can play higher up too but hes not the right option either. Just depends. I think Mount is becoming a bit jaded, hasnt scored in how long and his last assist was vs Burnley and while thats not a fair representative of his performances, hes played a lot of games this season. When Ruben comes back he will be a big plus.

Well I thought West Ham would be an easy win for us so now we have to definitely beat Villa and then Everton to have more control in the top 4 race. Must win. Just get it over the line. Not bothered if we play shit or not. Villa wont be pushovers either Grealish and McGinn have got something about them.

Think as long as his recovery goes well a 433 with him taking Masons place will be likely, cant see him slotting in anywhere else unless he plays off the front as well but I dont know. His physicality and ability to break the lines with his direct powerful runs is a huge plus.

Mourinho with a point to prove v United? They will win it. I have a feeling he will get a result against us too (lets be honest who wouldnt be surprised?), just think we will play into their hands like with United on opening day.

Not even mentioned Arsenal who can still make up ground too, having sacked their manager too que the new manager bounce when they appoint one, I havent got full faith that we will get 6 points from those games (Ajax, Valencia, United and City all sufficient evidence we need a lot of work still) although I do think Spurs and City will beat United but you never know. As Frank said this is a reality check, people wrote Spurs off too soon (11 games into the fucking season....) and 2 PL games in with Mourinho, theyve won 2 and jumped like 8 places in the table and are right where back in it, still early days too but the Mourinho being finished and going to destroy Spurs bla bla bla was daft to presume.

How the fuck did we manage this? West Ham's beem playing shite for weeks on end. No striker on after 60 odd minutes, for me, Frank got it wrong again. Same mid week and same v City. Still plenty games to redeem ourselves though but if United win as well they will be chasing too for the top 4 with Spurs too who despite conceding are still getting results. We need to make sure we win our next few and those 2 drop points to give us a bit more clearance again, 6 points isnt a lot and considering we have to play Arsenal and Spurs soon too.