robsblubot

Yeah. Enzo was our best performer by far. Then like I said, James and Sterling did well on the right. Jackson also shows quality despite the miss--have to put those away tho. He's a bit nervy and raw, but I liked Colwill; he's just having to deal with freaking Salah with Chilwell moving into attacking position so often. I agree Liverpool are vulnerable defensively (folks were saying that yesterday), but I'm not sure it's really their backline. They look exposed at the back with so many attacking players who don't drop back. It's like as if they were trying to do City, but can't really pull it off most of the time.

Really worried there. Were Salah a bit sharper, down a few games in the season, and we would have a mountain to climb.

Yeah Gallagher stands out, but there are other players who are just a bit too young and inexperienced for this level. They take an extra second on the ball, or to make a decision. That's normal, but it costs you at this level. With all things considered, it was a good first half.

Despite the miss Jackson is playing well. Sterling and James are linking up really well on the right. I like what I see from Sterling so far... looks like some of that spark is back. Liverpool are the better team, tho. They just are quicker and sharper on the ball in all areas. We don't have anything remotely close to Salah in attack tho.

That's the price of big potential these days. What has he accomplished in the game so far? personally, I'll wait and see what he does in big games, esp once we are back playing CL. Let's not pretend we've seen him dominating the midfield against the likes of Real Madrid for ex. BTW, I used the same argument for one-year-left Mount for 70m and got no love. 😉

hehe fair enough. I still think some of the blame was on the club -- from what I read he had a case from being upset with the club (shirt sales, wages below teammates), but that matters little now. He did leave, forcefully to a rival, so yeah. On the other hand, Caicedo would still need to accomplish a bit more than texting his future teammates lol. Caicedo is a nobody coming in to a big club. He may have loads of potential, but this is *it* for him... his big chance. Let's see what he does with it.

Texting players > Champions League win. It's just the world we live in. 😅

Good point. Does not look like they don't have the strength in depth for CL.

Newcastle look strong like last season, and Villa looks very poor esp defense.

I'm in the minority here and like Kepa exit in whichever form it takes. I think he's so bad that it's far more important to get rid of than any financial aspect. If he stayed, he'd be n1 here on seniority alone. He's not good enough to be n1 at any big club.

yes, but commercial driving will be the first hit by "some automation" as in, "drivers" will become "monitors" rather than professional drivers. As in, their driving skill far less important than before. Likely not a great change as for wages and opportunity. This will all be a slow transition. I don't think anything is imminent--well depends how you define imminent, but I expect decades, not years for real change.

yeah that's their "expected" starting XI, but I also find it hard to believe esp for an away match.

that's your own fault; you are clearly in "the wrong timezone" 😃 (so am I, btw) 😉

Never said that it was easy, but easier. Also far less expensive... the top attacking players are mostly unattainably expensive. I've also said "good" CMs, not "the very best." Casemiro for Real Madrid you mean. Casemiro had plenty of support of amazing attacking players in all the silverware they've got. City has been collecting silverware well before Rodri. Yes, these players can give you the stability and improve your chances esp in CL, but you still need your match-winners to score in those tight games, which is why they went all-in for haaland; reckon they'd not even be in the final without him. Kante was indeed amazing, but once again, it was Mbappe scoring that put France over the line. Every WC champion will have a very special attacking player in the starting XI... not so much CM. I'm not even going into our CL title because that seems to be a can of worms because of the players who left. 😅

Couldn't agree more 👆even a mobile and skillful CB in a 3 cb system (say like a David Luiz), would work well for him. DL is currently playing in a 2-cb system for Flamengo in Brazil and more often than not makes one of his blunders.

That's the situation. I don't disagree that that's the situation, I do disagree with the notion that they can't turn it around with the players they've got. They have more than enough quality to make top 4. For me the biggest match-winners in the PL are Haaland, Salah, and Kane... KDB would be there too, but seems to be struggling physically. I think they did well getting rid of Fabinho; never rated him (he was good early on tho) and thought he was the main reason they've been struggling in the middle of the park lately. They made some bets the same way we did, so if we assume ours will work out, we can assume some of theirs will too. Plus they've got more established players than we do. VVD is a working system away from returning to some sort of form... still a great CB in my book. Getting a good CM is still easier than finding match-winning players; that's been the case since football was born.

The guy who scored the goal is Vina, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vina_(footballer) absolutely shit footballer. Was a sub option at Gremio Brazil, mostly acting as a sub for 36yo Luis Suarez, but the issue was that 36yo Surez was far more competitive and intense than the much younger Vina. Type of player who can only play in easier/less competitive leagues... I mean he couldn't even make it in Brazil. This league is years away from becoming competitive. I know they've got some known names, but most are a bit over the hill and no longer thinking about their international careers.

That's a lot of ifs, and I hardly saw anything different from Mudryk in pre-season to indicate we will get anything different from him. Enzo is a top player, Caicedo a very expensive bet on potential. Even if Caicedo can deliver right away, our strength will lie in the middle of the park. That's the dominance area, not the match-winning area. Our winger options are questionable at best. Agreed about Arsenal and City, but how about Liverpool? Yes, they've been stuttering lately, but Salah is still there; we don't have anything remotely close to that quality in attack. Their other attacking players are far less of bets than what we've got. Gakpo had a great World Cup--same as Enzo for ex. Jota looks like a solid player too. VDK is still there, and Alisson is still miles ahead of Kepa. Maybe we could have a shot at United and/or Newcastle, but those teams have kept more of their starting XI from previous sessions. I know folks tend to completely ignore that side, but it's still a team sport and familiarity with the system, teammates, coaching style does play a part.

yes, they also won without a true striker. I was referring to CL tho.

yeah definitely, but I don't think it's a one thing. It's all playing a part.

and yet they will get beaten this season. They won't win again, at least not the CL. KDB not being healthy is already hurting them a lot. They missed him against Inter, but got lucky the other side relied on someone like Lukaku to win matches. Inter had the intensity, but not the quality to hurt them.

You what the difference is? a decade ago, Caicedo would've been playing in Ecuador, or in a Brazilian club. Which means, he'd be avail under 30m, which is what the big sales look like for players coming from there (folks like Neymar aside). Nowadays, however, that movement is accelerated by the moneys at play. Agents, intermediary clubs drive up the prices because they showcase these players at the highest stage early on. That's the brilliant strategy Brighton figured out. They have the power of exposure. This is one of the times I think folks are wrong to blame the big clubs. This time it's the smaller/intermediary clubs, agents, and their scouting, the ones changing things.

Lamps looks fit; any chance of him being avail for the liverpool match? he can start on the bench no prob. 😜 BTW, did anyone notice the name tag right above? "Willian"

There was a moment where Burnley defense line, under mild pressure, attempted to exchange 3 passes to get the ball forward. The 3rd one went over the sideline. One of the many embarrassing moments. Left that "game" shortly past halftime: have better things to do, like watching grass grow.

so much for staying away. 😃