2 hours ago, Argo said:

I mean I would absolutely agree that Enzo would have to earn his place back in the lineup if we carry on this form without him but it's interesting how this narrative is being run to death with him and not with Gusto, or Silva when him being dropped after Wolves coincided with a significant uptick in performances.

I believe that Gusto/James at the RB position shouldn't be an issue, both at their best offer a lot and James needs to be managed carefully but and I'm actually puzzled by our midfield because next season if it happens that everyone is ready to play I wouldn't know who would fit with who.

The way I see it this late in the season is basically Caicedo and Gallagher fitting the most as the go-to pair for Pochettino's way of playing. Let's be honest here the last time we won this big in the league was with Tuchel 7:0 vs Norwich and 6:0 vs Southampton so it's not like we're used to seeing these kinds of wins every week...

For example I wouldn't know if Lavia automatically gets a big role as soon as he's ready, from what I know he's a top talent but if the club doesn't sell Gallagher I would be scared to tinker that midfield because somehow Caicedo and Gallagher together make a partnership that gets it going for everyone else.

Enzo is a world class midfielder for me but every time I see Palmer occupying that central area as the AM/CAM I can actually see that there is no need for an extra player there, Palmer gets the space there and solves matches for us.

Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Bare in mind West Ham had a whole week to prepare with all their dangermen playing and we have been depleted with injuries, makes the result even more impressive. Every player was fantastic. Mudryk still not on part with rest of the team but he had a few good moments. MOTMis tough but got to give to Madueke. I love his directness and aggressive style of dribbling. People were writing him of and ridiculing him a few months ago. I remember him coming off against Palace and fans calling him a Championship player and needs to go out on loan. I literally was shaking my head in embarrassment. He is a young man who only recently had turned 22 and rather than people want to give him time, they turned their back on him. The last few games is testament to what I and a few others have said. You must give players like him a run. 

He is an enigma and a valuable asset. Was teriffic today and seems he was given MOTM. Cucurella with another very good performance too. Good to see some of the senior names on bench too. Gusto was one that most surprised me. He wasn't in the training pics so nice to see him come and know he will be part of our run in for final few games. 

3 hours ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

Nevermind

Err, In Utero?

Another professional and sometimes scintillating attacking performance at the Bridge. Can’t help but feel the injury crisis has helped Poch pick a consistent team and a few players have benefited from the others bad fortune.  Caicedo looks much better without Enzo. Coocoo is no longer the 🤡 and surely Conor cannot be let go now ? Second half for 2 games in a row no foot of the gas and another 🏏 score at home. 

Not worried about being on the beach anymore as these boys look up for it and up for scoring. Better late than never!

38 minutes ago, General said:

Another professional and sometimes scintillating attacking performance at the Bridge. Can’t help but feel the injury crisis has helped Poch pick a consistent team and a few players have benefited from the others bad fortune.  Caicedo looks much better without Enzo. Coocoo is no longer the 🤡 and surely Conor cannot be let go now ? Second half for 2 games in a row no foot of the gas and another 🏏 score at home. 

Not worried about being on the beach anymore as these boys look up for it and up for scoring. Better late than never!

True and you can only play the team in front of you but West Ham were woeful... no fight and gave us far too much space... reminded me of us a while ago... another fine result though.

Really like the way Coocoo has been given the freedom to clean things up etc... beginning to look like he was worth it unlike ... Enzo - good player but who misses him...?

Gallagher seems to be more effective now too.

Players are starting to gel - shame there's only a couple of games to go.

5 hours ago, abister1 said:

He's like a terrier. The little thing just won't stop. 

Yah he reminded me a bit of makelele or kante yesterday

Important we have a squad where 15-16 players could all be starters. 

11 hours ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

Its the other way around IMO. Either Gallagher or Enzo beside Caicedo or Lavia. Gallagher and Enzo would be a recipe for disaster since they basically do the same thing with Enzo being more technical and Gallagher being more energetic.

Our upturn in form has a lot to do with actually playing 4 attackers. We definitely miss something when Gallagher plays further forward.

 

11 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Err, In Utero?

Oh man, the glory days of music

If only 90% of our games were as easy as yesterday. Life would be bliss.

I had an epiphany 40mins in... for the first time this season we actually looked like we were enjoying just playing football. I swear I almost saw Jackson smile at Noni too. Here's hoping the lads are actually starting to play for each other, not their spot in the team.

9 hours ago, 19seventyone said:

Our upturn in form has a lot to do with actually playing 4 attackers. We definitely miss something when Gallagher plays further forward.

 

Its actually not that. The main difference is we have Cucurella playing as an inverted midfielder same way Arteta uses White and pep uses Stones. Our line up is actually 

 

                                   Petrovic

 

          Chalobah            Silva      Badashiale

                    Caicedo            Cucurella

Madueke     Palmer        Galllagher             Mudryk

                            Jackson 

 

so technically we have 5 attacking players 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

Its actually not that. The main difference is we have Cucurella playing as an inverted midfielder same way Arteta uses White and pep uses Stones. Our line up is actually 

 

                                   Petrovic

 

          Chalobah            Silva      Badashiale

                    Caicedo            Cucurella

Madueke     Palmer        Galllagher             Mudryk

                            Jackson 

 

so technically we have 5 attacking players 

 

 

 

The same midfield overload we saw in preseason. 

 

Kepa

Gusto Silva Colwill

Santos Gallagher

Sterling Carney Maatsen Chilwell

Nkunku 

30 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

The same midfield overload we saw in preseason. 

 

Kepa

Gusto Silva Colwill

Santos Gallagher

Sterling Carney Maatsen Chilwell

Nkunku 

Which looked good, then Nkunku getting injured spooked Poch into never trying it again until now for some reason.

1 hour ago, The Don Antonio said:

Its actually not that. The main difference is we have Cucurella playing as an inverted midfielder same way Arteta uses White and pep uses Stones. Our line up is actually 

 

                                   Petrovic

 

          Chalobah            Silva      Badashiale

                    Caicedo            Cucurella

Madueke     Palmer        Galllagher             Mudryk

                            Jackson 

 

so technically we have 5 attacking players 

 

 

 

23 hours ago, Dr Gonzo said:

Caicedo looks more suited to the Prem than Enzo does in my opinion.

Big fan of Caicedo and his improvement…but when will people realise and recognise Enzo played with an injury for several months?! In first six months he showed lots of classy touches and skill…not saying worth £106m but bemused why he’s being judged by so many on when he was injured and not when he was injury free.

30 minutes ago, The Brit said:

Big fan of Caicedo and his improvement…but when will people realise and recognise Enzo played with an injury for several months?! In first six months he showed lots of classy touches and skill…not saying worth £106m but bemused why he’s being judged by so many on when he was injured and not when he was injury free.

You and your common sense. Stop it.

Much like the "Chelsea have a 1bn valued squad" narrative. 

Extended highlights:

 

 

 

On 05/05/2024 at 16:49, abister1 said:

When I see or hear this I always wonder, is it as a consequence of the other team setting up in an awkward way that just makes them crap. Secondly even if they were awful, you've still got a duty to do which is score the goals and win the game. The FA doesn't just at the end of the game ending 0-0 say West ham you were awful, Chelsea you were good. That will be 5-0 to Chelsea. 

I take nothing away from Chelsea. They played brilliantly and I loved every minute of it. Given their League position at the time I thought West Ham would've put up more of a fight but there was nothing. Saying that had the "crossbar hattrick" gone in it could've been a different game altogether. My point was that Chelsea seemed to click and that personally I'd stick with that starting group til the end of the season rather than trying to squeeze in players who are coming back from injury and possibly upset the balance.