Niall1905

Sensible move, looks like it should get the Dortmund loan over the line. Going to be a lot of questions if he goes and lights it up over there though

It not a one sided transaction though is it? Its the exact reason a loan market exists, we have players that need game time and another club needs players but can't afford to purchase the quality that they need. There needs to be a huge amount of accountability on those decided where we loan the players but it seems odd that clubs would take on a loan if they have no interest in giving the player a chance.

I agree, I think they have the potential to really click. Think it could take a bit of time though, they'll both be looking to drop into and occupy similar spaces. Against a low block that can make up too easy to defend against, so there will need to be an understanding between them on when to drop and when not to. Very exciting for when it does though!

Nothing on the other stats though, right? As I said, easy to cherry pick to fit an agenda. The reality is that both had decent performances for different reasons.

I'd seen it as part of the system we're looking to use (given the injuries across the back line, not necessarily a system to use long term), not having wing backs flying down both sides at the same time and leaving us vulnerable at the back. Rather, 1 larger CB hybrid and 1 traditional wing back. 4 at the back whilst out of posession, 3 in possession. When we have the ball Colwill occupies the lcb role, silva central, disasi/badiashile in rcb. The RB pushes up into a wide midfield role providing width and allowing palmer/sterling to drift more central and impact play. Think we've seen it with the subs too, he'll often move disasi to RB and reverse the system when colwill goes off

Genuine question, as I haven't seen much of it online so wonder if its just a gap in my understanding of the rule, but for Jackson's disallowed goal last night, does the defenders touch not make him onside? My understanding was that deflections don't count, so if it unintentionally touched the defender then Jackson is offside. But if the defender makes a deliberate play on the ball, then the player is onside. I've watched it a few times and the defender definetly throws his head at the ball in an attempt to head it away, but ends up not getting enough contacts to it goes up and through to Jackson. Anyone able to clear up what i'm missing?

He also came on and completed 81% of his passes compared to Caicedos 94.5. He made 0 successful tackles compared to Caicedo's 2. He didn't win an ariel duel compared to Caicedo's 1. He won 2 ground duels compared to Caicedos 9. Based on me cherry picking stats like you have, looks like Caicedo was more than able to contribute the same if not more than a £58 million pound signing did. It's almost like different players are expected to do different things, even when playing the same position.

Thank the lord for Sconnie. I’ve just scrolled through this thread scratching my head at the bullets he’s taking. I get he hasn’t set the world on fire like some who only look at price tags would expect but I think he’s been a solid addition. Alright f**k me he passes sideways more than Gallagher, you tend to find that one does and one doesn’t in a midfield.

Looked like he’d taken a nose full of something before coming on, reminded me of a young Azpi with his determination to chase everything!

Next couple of transfer windows will be interesting. If we invest in some experience then it will be an indication of them understanding the flaws of the existing plan. If they stick to their guns add more young potential then we are fully in the mud.

Was thinking more of the relegation scrap!

After ruining Christmas Eve, at least my boxing day food coma wasn't interupted by the mess that will likely unfold later. Not even sure the 3 wise men could figure out what teams going to make it out there, I just hope that Nkunku only starts if he actually is ready, rather than due to lack of options. Can't be risking the rest of the year due to suspensions and injuries.

Regarless of if people think he is right or not, there is only 1 question to ask; Is there a manager in world football, that is even close to being at a level to compete, that would take on the mess that we have got ourselves in? The answer is no. It really doesn't matter if you have hope or belief in Poch, hes going to be here through the end of the season. He isn't at fault for where we are, but he isn't blameless either. We'll give him another £100m in January, probably make some questionable decisions on players to leave and come in and then sit and hope our sh*t comes together enough to move up the table a bit. There are a lot of bad and inconsistent teams above us. We aren't currently capabale of a decent run of form, but if we were, we'd be 6th before you knew it.

A big part of wing play is beating your man and putting it into a dangerous area quickly (rather than then taking the time to look up and find a man), which I think he’s started doing really well. Sadly our forwards don’t tend to anticipate this much so it ends up going past. Its exactly what Sterling did for the palmer goal, thankfully palmer made a good move and got on the end of it.

I think I’m either blind or delusional, I haven’t watched the game back but from what I saw I thought he did okay? Fell off a bit second half but I thought he was showing some more signs of confidence, beating his man consistently and causing problems. Yeah he gave the ball away but it seemed to be as a result of trying to make something happen! Im sure I’ll come to regret this when I watch it back in the week

Probably his best game for us, looked a threat when we got it to him early

I think this is part of the reason people wrongly describe him as underwhelming. He's tasked with being the link that drops in and attempts the more progressive, risky passes. You're never getting 100% completion when thats your task. But you need someone fearless that is willing to risk giving the ball away. I think its great that with a 3 of Ezno, Caicedo and Gallagher, each can be interchanged and rotated between the 3 roles to achieve different results.

I agree, but I also think he has some work to do in getting into the positions for those tap ins. The game against Spurs played to his strengths, high line that he can run at/run in behind and yet he still looked a bit wobbly. When we've played against teams that sit in, his in the box movement hasn't been anywhere near as good. When you compare him to someone like Haaland (world class striker who scores tap ins), Haaland is constantly creating distance between himself and defenders in and around the 6 yard box. Nico is a bit too passive and has a tendancy to just wait for something to attack.

Caicedo for me, he looked to be keeping his head when all others were panicking. Do think Connor was good, but when he was tasked with dropping deeper, he was trying to force the ball too much. Similar with Raheem, but with runs instead of passes.

If you'd have told me we'd get 4 points from Arsenal, Brentford and Spurs going into them i'd have taken it given how things have been going. If you told me in those 4 points we threw away 2 in the last 10 mins against Arsenal and lost to Brentford then maybe less so but lets get what we can from City and then we have; Newcastle Brighton United Theres points there to be won from those, Newcastle look good but not unbeatable. Brighton and United are as inconsistent as us.

Probably against the majority here but I thought last night proved why VAR is needed. It might not be currently being used in the optimal way but that game would have been more of a sh*te show if we didn't have it. Im sure the ref missed 90% of what actually went on, hence why VAR had to intervene so often. Semi Automatic offsides need introducing though, why its taking as long as it is when there is a system that does it in seconds is beyond words.

His dangly, uncoordinated, sometimes chaotic style of playing and moving is both endearing and frustrating. In similar ways to Torres and Werner I want nothing more than for him to succeed. Who needs the boring reassurance of Haaland banging goals every game when you can have Nico falling over his feet and banging a hattrick against Spurs. His way is certainly more the Chelsea way. Maybe Poch should allocate him an hour of playing QWOP each day to see if he can figure out how legs are meant to move!

What are you suggesting, that he's waiting for us to reinforce? Or that he's waiting so he can leave? Because if he's waiting for the latter, he'll be waiting for many transfer windows. The long contracts are risky but they give us an awful lot of power to stop players forcing moves. Personally I think he is still adapting to the league and probably to being a father at 22 in what is still a new country (coupled with the stress of having his mrs towards the end of her pregnancy in the last couple of months or so). Last night he was caught wanting to much time against a very agressive press and was mistiming passes, normally signs that a players head isnt in the right place.

Looked like he lost his balance running to follow Son for his miss at 2-1 rather than gifting too much space. But I also think he looked nervy all game. I do think he's proving himself as nothing much more than a squad player though, with Badiashile coming back in and Colwill having much more potential. That's not a bad thing though, he's good depth to have and looks like he can do a solid job when needed. But I do think there are flaws in his game that hold him back from being someone trusted as a long term starting option.

Oh 100%, couldn’t agree more. But for a young team that have done an awful lot right this year and got not a lot out of it, it feels like potential for a real shift in belief. espeically with such a nice easy game at the weekend to follow it up with!