robsblubot

The big absences for me are the fullbacks, Kante, and Mendy (esp considering how poor Kepa is). I don't think the others make that much of an impact -- perhaps Sterling once once he starts clicking with the team, but it hasn't happened yet. And here's the issue: James, Chilwell, and Kante have all been injury prone of late.

While I am also not onboard with this bet on potter, there is a certain level of professionalism that I expect from footballers. I understand we are in an injury crisis and yet our starting XI is 10 times the value of most teams we play against in the PL. Some of the players aren't even attainable for those smaller clubs. Willian was considered "deadwood" years ago.

I hear you... I'm not saying I agree with that, but Imo it's the way the game has gone with millionaire players who can pick and choose where they play and who they play for.

unfortunately in today's game that's often due to not respecting the manager. That was what I was most afraid of. Would you be surprised if some of the injured players become available a few days after the sacking? Seen that one before too... but I'm older than most here 😉

makes sense yeah. Same here! I honestly don't understand how ppl can even compare the two: the difference in reach alone is absolutely massive.

For some reason we, as well as the press, have been nice to Kepa. I'm convinced he's one of the worst goalies I've seen play at a top club. He's Karius level and all he needs is the opportunity to do what Karius did. It's no accident that we had Mendy (in excellent form) during our CL run. There is no way to do that with Kepa on goal.

Don't forget the absences bring everyone down... the better/established players too. It's not tennis.

Agreed. Although I always thought both were a bit overrated esp Rodriguez who only had that one WC at top level. 🤷‍♂️ Regarding Kai and Felix, I feel Kai has the edge simply because he has the build to play striker, which is the better position for him too IMO.

While Kai has been poor of late, I've seen much more from him. Honestly, perhaps the first good 90min I see from Felix will happen while he's wearing blue. 🤞

yup. He was pretty much saying that given enough time Chelsea would turn into Brighton right and proper. 😉

Yeah this list looks strikingly bad. Now, regarding Christian Pulisic we know what that was all about: $$$ into the American market. I do wonder how many of those were pushed by agents (payback combo deals) and whether the club is keeping tabs on which agent pushed for who. Tiemoué Bakayoko - still on the books this is the best contract he will even get... will never leave.

No argument there. Why not a couple, maybe even a few (including other positions) bets instead of a marquee name with his recent history? and yet clubs do that all the time (hardly just us) because it's convenient and sells tickets.

I think the intent of clubs speaks volumes: arsenal especially but also Barca. Goals need qualification in my book these days. I remember the days of tap-in kings (RVN to name one). Teams with tap-in strikers aren't competitive anymore because they play with 10 players against 11 on the other side. IMO. Aubameyang is a very bad player. He consistently makes the teams where he plays less competitive.

heh think he was already a pretty lousy player at Arsenal when a lot younger. Wasn't great a barca either and doing pretty much the same for us. We get what we pay for.

He did indeed. Played at a much higher tempo which was reassuring. he wasn't under pressure a whole lot, but you could see that he was trying to make runs often. One of the very few good performances against City today. For the the game was a lot tighter than expected and in the end City only scored from a Kepa's gift.

Fair enough I just said it's not easy to convince top players (at this level nothing less works) to come and be a potential sub. I agree Azpi is poor going forward, but that's more about team setup than anything else. In a 3 at the back, he can fill in CB. Some teams who have strong wingers, like Brazil in the WC, play with defensive RBs (wish they had stayed in defense 😅). So, that's also more about team setup. To your point, it's hard to have Azpi as a back for James given that they are so different in characteristics.

All said and done it was a gifted goal IMO - Kepa was back to his old self today.

Yeah so far he's been mediocre (which is an improvement from his first few games). This is a common tale I'm afraid: this jump is a difficult one. The level of play needed, and pressure, time on the ball for a big club is completely different coming from Brighton. A LB/LWB would normally operate in a much deeper line at Brighton and with a lot more time on the ball. I honestly think folks here underestimate these challenges.

I think this is the one big disagreement I have with you. I think Azpi is a tremendous backup esp because he can cover CB in a 3-at-the-back. He'd go back up to another big club for sure if he were to leave, imo. The problem is that currently he's a de facto starter given James' injury proneness of late (ever?). That makes it difficult and then we may need a second starter as oppose to a backup, which again I think Azpi is great for. I guess maybe I agree with you that Azpi may not be a proper option on the right, but perhaps more because of circumstances. It's hard to convince a top RB to come be a backup for James when he's fit.

now now that's just mean 😅

true Kai could've been making more runs... more active. Perhaps confidence? will we let Auba go? it's clear the Manager does not rate him (tend to agree).

No confidence even in the few good players we've got. They are not making runs and not believing their teammates will produce anything for them. Team is in shambles right now. 😕

this time he may have thought he could not reach it. On the goal it was completely reachable by him... a huge mistake. Surprising the commentators did not mention it. It was an even more obvious mistake in replays.

Better from Zakaria if one is looking for a silver lining here

Aubu got subbed out lol that was a very clear message to leadership (by Potter).