Stats

They strengthened the best out of all promoted teams. They spent the most ever for a promoted team. The fact they obtained likes of Xhaka, Mukiele is a statement of intent. They haven't just bought average players as well. They have bought really good players and have really good depth. They spent what near £30m on Brobbey and he can't even get near the team right now. It would be a brilliant achievement if they stay up but out of all the promoted teams, they have the best chance imo. Xhaka signing was a major coup.

It is really concerning, how easily we let our guard down when we go to 10 men. This is where the lack of leadership and experience is shown. The team just loses their heads. Chalobah should have just let him go. Concerning, but not going to jump the gun yet, as the last 2 games, the game has been taken out of our hands with silly decisions from keeper and defender. We looked good up until Chalobah got sent off. Liverpool are top of the league, but I think we can take something if we keep 11 men on the pitch!! Big game against Benfica first on Tuesday. Team needs a reaction.

Fofana was brilliant second half. Took leadership and control.

Perfect response. George of all people 😄.

I knew this would not be easy. Playing a physical, bigger team on their own turf, but Lord, this is embarrassing. Hopefully this is the the last time seeing George up front. It actually hurts my eyes. Gittens, I want to see continue out wide on the left tbh but big improvement needed. They could have been 3-0 up. No exaggeration. The stats are no lie. There chances have been genuine.

I promise you if we were to play Arsenal at home, we would not be favourites. Liverpool are title favourites. Same way you could say they could have 4-6 less points, you could say same with us when you consider Fulham and smaller extent Palace. So it is strange to see bookies place us as favourites. Last season they did same thing, but that was because they had inclination, that they would rest players and they were right.

Strange, but bookies have us as slight favourites to beat Liverpool at this current moment of time...

Rogers really has not going so far. You would never usually see him get subbed, but Emery hooked him off against a 10 men team. No goals or assists and just has not looked threatening.

Definitely seems to be trying to make a point by bringing on George and not playing our new signings. Seems this is his obvious way of saying, you forced me into this, so this is what I am doing in return. He made it clear that it was board decision to part with Jackson. Why would he bring on George again when he looks so uncomfortable up top and he was meant to go Fulham. Just bizarre. Apart from that Fulham game when he came on and scored last season, he has not looked comfortable up front at all. So yeah, odd from Maresca for keep trying him up there.

Also, no matter how much people don't like Jackson, Maresca made it clear that it was not his decision. Although we got a nice loan fee, it shows it is always about getting money.

On the bench though. No surprise. He would have been rinsed and with what happening tomorrow, wise not to start him. You just woken up? 😄

I was surprised Buonanotte was hooked off at H/T. He looked tidy and dangerous and was connecting well with Pedro. For his first appearance, I thought he did well and deserved to continue.

Not just that. They have whole week to prepare, whilst we play Bayern in week.

Someone remind Maresca that Lincoln is our fixture in 2 weeks and Brentford today. I get they wear the same colours but think Maresca has got the two opposition teams confused 😄

Bad news but better than we all feared. Hopefully back before end of the year. Luckily we have a good depth in that position too. James has proven he can do well when he plays there too.

Check what @NikkiCFCposted in the Caicedo thread mate.

That is good news. Could do with the rest.

How? It was a loan. Probably just a lot of players in his position. That has nothing to do with UEFA's sanctions as he did not cost us anything.

The Jackson saga is a shitty one and understandably harsh for Jackson, but the club are doing the right thing. We did not plan on Delap picking up a hamstring injury and now that he has, we have to put the club first. We are not United, playing in only one major trophy this season. We are competing on all 4 fronts. Having Pedro as our only out and out striker is bonkers. That is if you even consider Pedro as an out and out striker. Depth is key. Arsenal already have three of their key men injured last season in Havertz, Odegaard and Saka, but people think they have a chance of picking up something against Liverpool. You know why? Because of their depth and they learned from their mistakes from previous seasons. No time for sympathy because when our injuries pile up, we will be kicking ourselves for not putting club first. Our schedule will soon be hectic.

Good money for a loan but still think unless we are getting a replacement, we could have kept him. Especially without obligation. Would have preferred he stayed. Especially with all the games we have this season.

Strange. They have Saliba and Gabriel. Just bought Mosquera as a back up and long term replacement replacement for Gabriel or if Saliba leaves. LB they have MLS and Calafiori. He will get a big pay rise, but football reasons seems strange on his side.

Also was MOTM few seasons ago when Brighton beat us 2-1 at the Bridge and he scored that rocket goal. He was brilliant that game.

It his hilarous how many pundits, commentators alike do still not know how to spell his name properly. It is SIMONS ffs lol.

That is more down to us then for selling him for a lower fee and not holding out for more. I thought we sold him on the cheap considering the season he had in the Championship and his potential, however we included a sell-on clause. With Doak, however his injury was cut short, however you would see how highly Middlesbrough fans rated him and some thought he was the best player in the league itself. £25m for a good British talent from a major club is not a lot these days. He has a lot of potential, assuming he stays fit and Bournemouth have a lot of money spend after their outgoings.

Hudson-Odoi was the star of the show that second leg. Amazing when you see how far some of the players in that game have come. CHO, James, Guehi, Gilmour, Gallagher, Smith-Rowe (even though he has regressed a bit) and of course Bukayo Saka who is one of the best wingers in the league.