Rousseau

Arteta is doing well enough, I think (outwith this last couple, but he was up against Man City in one of them).

He needs to get rid of the dead wood, which I believe he has acknowledged and they're looking to do so in the summer. 

I think Toney looks good, but I think he has his eye on a high Championship or low PL club. 

Wasn't the Peterborough Chairman looking for £10M plus for Toney? 

I always look forward to seeing Brighton play - as strange as that sounds. Graham Potter is an interesting coach, with an attacking philosophy. 

I can see Brighton ripping Arsenal apart, but then Arsenal have the superior quality. 

I thought Man Utd were quite good, if lacking a bit of cutting edge. They certainly looked the most likely. Pogba made a big difference. 

Tottenham are typical Mourinho: like to fall back into a low block and counter. It's a bit boring now. To be successful you need to be able to go and break someone down. Saying that, Mourinho did set up with more attackers, in a 4-4-2. 

No wonder we get fans moaning at every signing we make if they think Ryan Fraser is a realistic option. 

Jeez...

We should be looking to pick up some of their promising youngsters. 

Spurs-Untied could be interesting. 

I'm looking forward to seeing Pogba and Bruno Fernandez link up. 

Actually, Norwich-Southampton could be good too: They are both progressive sides, looking to attack and counter and with the lack of fitness, it could be a cagey game or a goal-fest. 

David Luiz is brutal these days. There was always a mistake in him, but I always felt like the benefits he brought offset that, for the most part; these days he can't do anything right. 

Even Arsenal are trying to offload him.

He didn't actually start, but had to come on after their first-choice injured himself.

12 minutes ago, alexscottislegend said:

Only problem is I think he is being groomed to replace Barisic. Halliday's place also at risk now. Hope Bassey makes it but I've seen too many development squad players from clubs down south fail to cut it with us and end up in the third tier of England. 

Halliday has been released. 

34 minutes ago, compo said:

Is this the same lad we let go as a youth team player 

Yep.

24 minutes ago, compo said:

Turned on to have a look at Schalke it was like watching a match at the Toryglen indoor football centre , nice stadium though .

Schalke are poor at the moment: I can see David Wagner (formerly of Huddersfield) being sacked before long. 

Wolfsburg-Frankfurt is a better game, albeit lacking quality; the intent from both sides is entertaining. 

1 hour ago, Gribz said:

Guys I dont have any function / option to send PM.

 

 

'Messages' - top right of the page. 

I was actually going to make a similar post, @Dave M609. 

(Firstly, I dislike the 4-4-2 and a target-man -- at least traditionally; a wide target-man is more interesting to me, e.g Mandzukic. I like forwards that are mobile, that can come deep but more importantly stretch play.)

I think 4-2-3-1 suits two of our best players, in Kent and Hagi. 

The other wide position, though, I didn't like the sound of another 'winger' -- too easy to deal with, and doesn't help the one up top. I was thinking of another forward for that position, who could come inside to make it two at times and help create. A player like Mandzukic at Juventus. I think Kamberi can play there -- and deserves to play, going by his most recent performances. (Is he still with us?  I do hope we sign him up permanently.) Kamberi also suits the Raumdeuter role too. 

I like the idea of Jack sitting, with Aribo next to him as a box-to-box player; allowing him to use his ball wining ability alongside a license to get forward at times. 

I think we'll need width on the right from Tavernier, with Barisic staying back a little more -- he has a good deep cross, anyway, and it maybe opens up a long shot at times. 

I like the 4-3-2-1, but I don't think it suits Kent. I would drop him for those games where it's employed. It needs someone else to play alongside Hagi. We could even bring in a forward, changing it to a 4-3-1-2-type formation.

9 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

HSV 2-0 up at Stuttgart at HT.  Lost 3-2 to an injury time goal.

 

I swear it, supporting them must be even worse than supporting us (in recent history).  Total shitebags.

Yeah, I watched it. Unbelievable. 

They're so weak. They can play some nice stuff, they've got a decent coach, decent squad-- Oh, they've lost.

Key game, as well. They're now in the play-off spot, two points behind Stuttgart in an automatic spot.  

Berahino is, or was, a top talent, but his mental state and work ethic is worrying. If we're getting that, then it's not a good move.

However, I did read somewhere that he was looking to almost rededicate himself to the game, so he may have matured.

In top form he's certainly good enough for this league, and EU competition, IMO, but who knows what we'd actually get? 

They had an off day, but I did note they were vulnerable to in-swinging crosses (Wolfsburg scored 2 such goals). 

£1.75M sounds alright to me. 

Ferguson looks a decent player, with potential. 

45 minutes ago, compo said:

Yesterday I watched a DVD of Albertz banging in shots from all over the pitch think there was more shots at goal from one man than our whole team had this season, get some half backs that can have a dig at goal 

Yes, that's certainly true - and then when they did take a shot it was pitiful. 

Hamburg host the leaders Bielefeld this lunchtime. 

This will go a long way to defining their season. 

I'm quite enjoying the M'Gladbach game.

1-1 early in the second half, with goals from two up-and-coming stars Havertz and Thuram.

It's generally slow, but there's clear quality on show, with some nice passages of play.

As I type, Leverkusen have just scored a penalty to retake the lead; Havertz again with his second, adding to his two last week - I don't recall him being so good against us?

Yeah-- I think I'll watch the 'Gladbach-Leverkusen game.

They were both pretty impressive last week. 

They'll find a way to make it the most convoluted league season imaginable. 

He wasn't played out wide: we don't play with wingers. 

Just sayin'.

(The idea of building the team around him in a more traditional central position in still valid, though.)