1 hour ago, Scott Harris said:

Leaving now couldn't happen at a worse time. Far and away our best player this season.

He deserves better mate. I don't blame him at all for wanting to go enjoy his career again. The overcrowded dressing rooms, negative atmosphere, all that, must be miserable 

All good things will come to an end, if Thiago wants to leave ( for whatever reasons), applaud him on/off the filed on the final date and wish him the best. I think it maybe one season too much for him, just like Azpi ( great player but clearly not enough to make the team this season).  He's already showing signs of slowing down, again it's not a criticism for him. At his age, most players couldn't even play for 90 minutes.

6 minutes ago, icecoolguy22 said:

All good things will come to an end, if Thiago wants to leave ( for whatever reasons), applaud him on/off the filed on the final date and wish him the best. I think it maybe one season too much for him, just like Azpi ( great player but clearly not enough to make the team this season).  He's already showing signs of slowing down, again it's not a criticism for him. At his age, most players couldn't even play for 90 minutes.

Yes. Dave and Silva should start vs Newcastle.

 

Dave getting the Drogba send of in the 28th minute. Silva near the end of the game.

 

We must not overlook giving them a proper send off for all they have done for our club.

4 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

On the contrary, think now would be the best time. 

I can't believe that, not with our CB's being as inexperienced as they are. Fofana and Badiashile are just too young and raw to be expected to hold that defense together right now, Fofana can't even stay fit. Chalobah isn't confident enough in 1v1 situations and Koulibaly, despite all of the experience, has been a huge flop.

I don't blame Silva for wanting to call time, he achieved everything he aimed to achieve when he joined us and I am not surprised he doesn't want to be part of a project at his age. His absence will be massive though, make no mistake about it. He's the only one that has held that defence together this season. Without him, we end up conceding a lot more goals.

33 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I can't believe that, not with our CB's being as inexperienced as they are. Fofana and Badiashile are just too young and raw to be expected to hold that defense together right now, Fofana can't even stay fit. Chalobah isn't confident enough in 1v1 situations and Koulibaly, despite all of the experience, has been a huge flop.

I don't blame Silva for wanting to call time, he achieved everything he aimed to achieve when he joined us and I am not surprised he doesn't want to be part of a project at his age. His absence will be massive though, make no mistake about it. He's the only one that has held that defence together this season. Without him, we end up conceding a lot more goals.

Not sure the whole “experience” thing counts in modern football anymore. That Arsenal defence is as inexperienced as they come and have conceded the 3rd least number of goals, the Newcastle defence that has conceded the least number of goals bar Trippier & a young Botman has a bunch of journeymen. How they are set up is the most important thing, and despite how bad the season has been we have still conceded the joint 3rd least number of goals along with Arsenal.

8 minutes ago, ducavis said:

Not sure the whole “experience” thing counts in modern football anymore. That Arsenal defence is as inexperienced as they come and have conceded the 3rd least number of goals, the Newcastle defence that has conceded the least number of goals bar Trippier & a young Botman has a bunch of journeymen. How they are set up is the most important thing, and despite how bad the season has been we have still conceded the joint 3rd least number of goals along with Arsenal.

It counts more at CB. White and Gabriel have over 200 appearances to their name, Saliba is the only one of the three with under 150 games. Badiashile has 157, Chalobah 179 and Fofana doesn't even have over 100 yet. This is a big difference, even more so for a team that is desperately struggling like ours is. Putting that kind of pressure on three inexperienced CB's next season is just asking for trouble. It can also be argued that Arsenal are an anomaly.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

It counts more at CB. White and Gabriel have over 200 appearances to their name, Saliba is the only one of the three with under 150 games. Badiashile has 157, Chalobah 179 and Fofana doesn't even have over 100 yet. This is a big difference, even more so for a team that is desperately struggling like ours is. Putting that kind of pressure on three inexperienced CB's next season is just asking for trouble. It can also be argued that Arsenal are an anomaly.

Salina is their best CB though 

Great, now the club could lose two of my favourite players this summer. Silva and Mount.

As good as silva has been, I have no problem parting ways with silva. He is definitely POTY but he is clearly not suited playing in back 4. 

I can't remember Pochettino's preferred system at Spurs. But maximising James and Chilly, outstanding wingbacks when fit, has to make a back 4 a problem.

7 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

It counts more at CB. White and Gabriel have over 200 appearances to their name, Saliba is the only one of the three with under 150 games. Badiashile has 157, Chalobah 179 and Fofana doesn't even have over 100 yet. This is a big difference, even more so for a team that is desperately struggling like ours is. Putting that kind of pressure on three inexperienced CB's next season is just asking for trouble. It can also be argued that Arsenal are an anomaly.

Context though; Ben White played 1 season on loan in the PL at Leeds, and had loans in the lower league at Peterborough & Newport. You keep forgetting we still have Koulibaly.

I don’t think Arsenal are an anomaly, aren’t Saka, Rowe and Martinelli promoted from their u21? They are the youngest team in the league sprinkled with lilttle bits of experienced players. Pochettino would find it easier to pass on his ideas to younger players than older players set in their ways.

59 minutes ago, dermott said:

I can't remember Pochettino's preferred system at Spurs. But maximising James and Chilly, outstanding wingbacks when fit, has to make a back 4 a problem.

This mythical idea that they are outstanding wingbacks based on one season is false, the data says they over performed their expected output. In the last 3 seasons James has created 16 big chances, Chiwell has created 4. Trippier has created 22 big chances this season alone playing in a back 4, Trent has created 24 big chances this season, Robertson has 11, Shaw has 6 and Estupian 5 big chances. All playing in a back 4. The game has evolved this season away from a back 5 & even the flat back 4, teams are now using 3 CBs and 1 fullback moving into midfield in possession. 

26 minutes ago, ducavis said:

This mythical idea that they are outstanding wingbacks based on one season is false, the data says they over performed their expected output. In the last 3 seasons James has created 16 big chances, Chiwell has created 4. Trippier has created 22 big chances this season alone playing in a back 4, Trent has created 24 big chances this season, Robertson has 11, Shaw has 6 and Estupian 5 big chances. All playing in a back 4. The game has evolved this season away from a back 5 & even the flat back 4, teams are now using 3 CBs and 1 fullback moving into midfield in possession. 

Chilwell started just 8 league matches this season and James 14 though in several of those he looked scared of aggravating his hamstring so was largely ineffective.

It is looking to me that we would be better moving to a back four though that will not be straight forward either  as Fofana has only started 10 league games.

I don't see any easy fixes defensively expect getting a better keeper would help  though we certainly need to score more. 

35 minutes ago, ducavis said:

This mythical idea that they are outstanding wingbacks based on one season is false, the data says they over performed their expected output. In the last 3 seasons James has created 16 big chances, Chiwell has created 4. Trippier has created 22 big chances this season alone playing in a back 4, Trent has created 24 big chances this season, Robertson has 11, Shaw has 6 and Estupian 5 big chances. All playing in a back 4. The game has evolved this season away from a back 5 & even the flat back 4, teams are now using 3 CBs and 1 fullback moving into midfield in possession. 

This is what I want to see with James/Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, and Colwill. 

8 hours ago, ducavis said:

Not sure the whole “experience” thing counts in modern football anymore. That Arsenal defence is as inexperienced as they come and have conceded the 3rd least number of goals, the Newcastle defence that has conceded the least number of goals bar Trippier & a young Botman has a bunch of journeymen. How they are set up is the most important thing, and despite how bad the season has been we have still conceded the joint 3rd least number of goals along with Arsenal.

Maybe inexperienced is a better way of saying a little bit sh*t which all of our defenders have been at varying points this season.

We still have the 3rd best defence in the league despite everything. 

7 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

Chilwell started just 8 league matches this season and James 14 though in several of those he looked scared of aggravating his hamstring so was largely ineffective.

It is looking to me that we would be better moving to a back four though that will not be straight forward either  as Fofana has only started 10 league games.

I don't see any easy fixes defensively expect getting a better keeper would help  though we certainly need to score more. 

I also thionk any notion of Gvardiol in the summer may well fall on stony ground. With Upamecano's troubles in the recent UCL matches, it wouldn't surprise me if Bayern muscle in on Gvardiol now.

I’d want Silva to stay for one more year as a bit part player, help Badiashile and Fofana get settled as starters.

His experience and leadership is a rarity at the club. Without him, who do we have to lead the team? (Azpi is certain to leave as well).

10 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

I’d want Silva to stay for one more year as a bit part player, help Badiashile and Fofana get settled as starters.

His experience and leadership is a rarity at the club. Without him, who do we have to lead the team? (Azpi is certain to leave as well).

There’s no way Silva is happy being a bit part player. He still wants to play every week and will get that back in Brazil. 
 

What a player he is and was but I can’t see Pochettino being desperate to keep him even for the one season.

Heard/read it mentioned that both Silva and Dave are allowed to decide their own futures.

If they want to go we will agree to terminate their contracts and let them go on frees.

20 hours ago, ducavis said:

This mythical idea that they are outstanding wingbacks based on one season is false, the data says they over performed their expected output. In the last 3 seasons James has created 16 big chances, Chiwell has created 4. Trippier has created 22 big chances this season alone playing in a back 4, Trent has created 24 big chances this season, Robertson has 11, Shaw has 6 and Estupian 5 big chances. All playing in a back 4. The game has evolved this season away from a back 5 & even the flat back 4, teams are now using 3 CBs and 1 fullback moving into midfield in possession. 

I think they are very good wb but I am not sure building your offense around your wb is the best idea

Edited May 13, 20233 yr by Bob stark

Belle (his wife) has announced on Instagram that Thiago is staying.

Thank goodness for that. He’s still our best defender.

I love this man.