Baracouda

happy to see the bulk of the side from last week, Dimi in for Williams is a positive. Although thought Williams had a good game, just a shame he doesn't have a left peg. Lots of energy going forward, too much cutting back on right. Would have been tempted to play Dowell.

I agree completely, however, we should remember we are not America there has been long held views of British people against racism check the "Battle of Bamber Bridge". Unfortunately not for everyone. Whilst prejudice in all its forms clearly exists, I was merely pointing out the irony of selecting people based on a skin colour. Its unfortunate that there is no other method of referencing the subject, without referring to the colour of skin. Its a bit like the Americans, using the term "African-American" and those of European descent are just called "Americans".

Would be an interesting court case, not sure how good your Barrister is. He is arguing that a company can refuse to pay you for normal flu, if you don't take the flu jab or any other medical condition that has a vaccine and in doing, the said company would be forcing employees to take it and would be liable for any medical issues that arise from taking the vaccine.

That's true racism is clearly something that needs to be tackled, but there is a certain irony about being against racism and then picking a list of players based on their skin colour.

I thought all clubs and sporting organisations signed up to Arbitration courts. ESL will happen sooner or later, its just whether their reserves carry on playing in domestic football or not. If they break away completely 18 sides, cant see much future for Arsenal and Tottenham, surely would damage their brands having the north london derby renamed the wooden spoon derby

Likewise not shocked, still think the window was a good one long term, but also recognise it was a risk signing so many 19-21's. But equally there is prospects they will improve over the season, the more they experience this standard of football. Not sure its always about 'raising the game' as in skill level, but simple things like a change of tactics or cutting out mistakes, results suddenly become a lot easier. Statistically most games are low scoring affairs (3 goals or less) and if your giving freebies away each week its very hard to get positive results. Last example of us going on a prolonged run at this level, I guess has to be under Hughton. glass half full, a win against Burnley, the team, youngsters, manager get a boost and we wont be bottom, hopefully the media then focus on Burnley with their comments.

I see the biggest plus of youth team, as squad fillers. If you can have say 18 senior players competing for the first team and a group of u21's who are good enough to come in and play a handful of games (injuries/suspensions). The senior players can be on slightly higher wages and can spend more on transfer fees etc and the youth team costs don't count towards 'FFP'. The added benefit is every now and then, one of those youth players will progress to be a big sellable asset.

it doesn't take a lot to make an impact one or two key decisions throughout the season, can really change the odds of events happening. Bit like FFP, the football politicians say its about being fair but a clubs wages, transfers etc have to be inline with their income, so technically its impossible to 'buy' yourself into the elite clubs now whilst we get hammered by the media and fans for not spending insane amounts, I believe if we spent what some want we would be in breach of FFP rules. Its quite clear that the 'Super League' clubs push the authorities into corners to protect their own interests, bit like their proposal for the premiership to be an 18 club division.

Krul, Omo, Hanley, Gibson Aarons, Les-Melou, Normann, Dimi, Dowell, Sargent, Pukki

he's loved in London Thrashed by Palace, Chelsea and now Arsenal.

The Everton game although a defeat has given me some confidence that we can actually defend for 90minutes. Just need to work on the attacking element. Burnley (Brighton h - L, Pool a - L, Leeds h - D, Everton a - L, Arsenal h - L, Leicester a - D) Leeds (Man utd a - L, Everton h - D, Burnley a - D, Pool h - L, Newcastle a - D, Westham h - L) Newcastle (Westham h - L, Villa a- L, Southampton h - D, Man Utd a - L, Leeds h - D, Watford a - D) Southampton (Everton a - L, Man Utd h - D, Newcastle a - D, Westham h - D, Man City a -D, Wolves h - L). looking at the fixtures so far, think Newcastle are in a world of trouble.

to have 10th on 9pts also seems very high (11th if Arsenal win). I have been thinking for a few games that this will be one of those 'wacky' seasons where its record low points to avoid relegation.

Think Williams had a good game for him but agree Dimi should have started. Williams had lots of energy going forward his runs were an outlet. Got himself into really good positions but either poor decisions in slowing down counter attacks, being indecisive or generally lacked quality in the final third resulted in nothing happening in those attacks.

I agree on after subs, looked like we had 4 or 5 in attack, the shape and passing came disjointed

it worked we was more solid, it didn't look like we was going to concede every time they attack. But still made 2 mistakes. Watford and Arsenal both looked like they were going to score 4,5 or 6. We were flying by the seats of our pants in defence.

dont think anyone goes for 'easy to break down' approach. Reality is Rafa is no different to Big Sam, his sides are very hard to breakdown.

I think 25-30 points and you have a chance of staying up. We will finish above Newcastle and Burnley. There is 4 teams without a win this season 😂

Tbh, thought that was a decent performance away from home to a side who are joint top (at this point in time). We gave 2 silly goals away, apart from that they didn't look like scoring. Whilst it didn't click in attack. Thought there was lots of positives to take into Burnley game.

would argue its best with 2 DM's and a free roll no.10

thought it was much better, at least we didn't look like conceding every attack. More compact and tight, now need to work on the attack. Like i said on previous posts about 352 / 532, it can be very narrow and its playing out like that. Williams gets forward really well then does nothing with it. Is useless in the final third.

first 25mins actually looked like a premier league team, keeping it tight away from home against a top half side. Then the penalty happened

Takes a special striker to be able to score 15+ goals as a lone striker at this level. I am sure Holt + RvW, the Wolf would have scored several more goals, just from a maths perspective. 2 strikers v 2 defenders more likely to get lucky breaks . Rvw v 2 defenders is going to end the way it did.

i agree the set up is good. But it was just a general statement that if you don't make it in first two seasons. The parachute payments make a huge impact along with some teams are receiving them which inevitable means they in a better financial situation to buy players (unless they have a mountain of debt). Then becomes a bigger reliant on selling players. However, we would be in a good position in the first two seasons.

think that's fact for any side getting relegated, look at the sides who dont make it in first two seasons. Player contracts naturally come to an end, the quality players get picked off and parachute payments are about to stop and the general level of the squad is pretty much just the crap that no one wanted to buy. Then a rebuild has to take place.

I thought for the second goal, Gunn was to blame also. Very poor from Hanley and Gibson one of these should have been marking him tight. But Gunn should have thought he is at the byline and he is going to cross and should be 3 or 4 yards off his line, with the intention of catching the cross. Alternatively Gunn should have been screaming at his defenders to pick up the striker and get tight.