Ajax are a poor side before the red card. It’s like when Mudryk did well against Conference League opposition and some were asking him to start, only to do nothing or be a detriment.

I really don’t rate him.

Im starting to think Gittens might just be starting to show his worth, plenty of crosses into the box and taking players on. If he can feature with Delap or Guiu on Wednesday v Wolves i think we could see some very positive results. His confidence is building and i can see this pushing Garnacho also who i believe may be slipping behind Gittens just now, If all goes well the pair of them might just put pressure on Netos almost guaranteed start. All good stuff, and im not even in my parallel universe yet.

1 hour ago, WhiteWall said:

Kind of bending stats though isn't it. The only times we have competed in the CL until this year we have been in Groups (normally seeded) with at most one fodder level team included before getting through to progressively harder knockout stages.

We are now in a 36 team table where the bottom 8 get bombed automatically, all of which are fodder teams, along with a fair number of the middle group of teams as well.

But it is a positive statistic, so there is that.

EDIT: I am not casting aspersions on Gittens by the way. I don't get how he got MOTM the other night but there were three really tasty crosses that, if this manager did any really progressive pattern, could easily have resulted in quality goals for us

I get saying that if we had done it against Qarabag, but Ajax have a lot more standing and experience in the CL than our current side. I do think the stat is pretty pointless considering Ajax got a red card within the first 20 mins or so, making it far more open.

Glad to see him performing better, mind!

6 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

I get saying that if we had done it against Qarabag, but Ajax have a lot more standing and experience in the CL than our current side. I do think the stat is pretty pointless considering Ajax got a red card within the first 20 mins or so, making it far more open.

Glad to see him performing better, mind!

Have you seen the relative performances of Qarabag and Ajax this year ? whilst there is a hole in my arse Ajax wont finish above Qarabag in the Champions League this year.😂

Edited October 24, 2025Oct 24 by OTL

Gittens. Imho it is still too early to judge. Garnacho likewise. Let's just see how they do over the season. They are both incredibly fast players and that is their schtick. I would say that I think Gittens has superior technical ability and football skills. I honestly rate Gittens (I realsie that that is not 'popular' around here - time will tell). I hope they both do well. BUT - One or both of them might be leaving next summer - we know how it goes at the club.

Gittens is looking better than when he first started but still needs a lot more improvement. Honestly not played enough to tell yet.

8 minutes ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Gittens. Imho it is still too early to judge. Garnacho likewise. Let's just see how they do over the season. They are both incredibly fast players and that is their schtick. I would say that I think Gittens has superior technical ability and football skills. I honestly rate Gittens (I realsie that that is not 'popular' around here - time will tell). I hope they both do well. BUT - One or both of them might be leaving next summer - we know how it goes at the club.

Quenda Paez Emegha Satpaev incoming plus maybe Enciso and Panichelli its gonna get busy someone will need to shape up or they are gonna be shipped out.

Edited October 24, 2025Oct 24 by OTL

19 hours ago, Shweaves said:

I get saying that if we had done it against Qarabag, but Ajax have a lot more standing and experience in the CL than our current side. I do think the stat is pretty pointless considering Ajax got a red card within the first 20 mins or so, making it far more open.

Glad to see him performing better, mind!

Hato was a starter for Ajax last season. The guy is barely pl level player.

39 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

Hato was a starter for Ajax last season. The guy is barely pl level player.

@Mod Flagging a horrible four letter word! You know I'm a sensitive, family friendly soul...

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

Hato was a starter for Ajax last season. The guy is barely pl level player.

Not just a starter, he was their captain too. It's not really a high bar winning against Ajax but it's nice thumping a team in Europe!

Hato is out of position, hes in the Gittens thread.🙂

3 hours ago, Valerie said:

@Mod Flagging a horrible four letter word! You know I'm a sensitive, family friendly soul...

Your wish is (back) now my command!

A**x
A**x
A**x

49 minutes ago, Mod said:

Your wish is (back) now my command!

A**x
A**x
A**x

Edited October 25, 2025Oct 25 by Valerie

6 hours ago, Deino said:

Not just a starter, he was their captain too. It's not really a high bar winning against A**x but it's nice thumping a team in Europe!

😱😱😱Captain???

He’s not at fault today - was a late sub. But it’s about time he did something of note. Even today when he had a good chance to run at a player 1-1, he overhit his touch straight to the defender. It’s those small moments that make the difference.

Time to step it up.

On 24/10/2025 at 15:39, OTL said:

Quenda Paez Emegha Satpaev incoming plus maybe Enciso and Panichelli its gonna get busy someone will need to shape up or they are gonna be shipped out.

They are going to be shipped out anyway. That's the model.

9 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

He’s not at fault today - was a late sub. But it’s about time he did something of note. Even today when he had a good chance to run at a player 1-1, he overhit his touch straight to the defender. It’s those small moments that make the difference.

Time to step it up.

None of the wingers we buy can succeed here whilst we have this cretin in charge. Mudryk, Gittens, Garnacho, Neto, Estevao. They all rely on their speed to get in behind the defence to find space to run into. None will succeed in a slow possession based game where yardage is gained in 10 yard triangles. Estevao is too good and will probably take the 10, meaning that I think that they will cash in on Palmer soon to keep the money train moving, and to hell with the team.

it's a shame but players like Gittens and Garnacho will never fulfill whatever potential they may have under this bloke other then maybe 6 games a year when we play the sides that come after us.

Gittens has ability, we saw it multiple times tonight and he should be ahead of Garnacho, but he really needs to shake the stink of the Bundesliga out of his game. He needs to be aggressive with his protection of the ball and remain composed when he is pressed. You don't have to be built like Adama Traore, but showing aggression and being ready to receive that aggression back is needed to succeed in English football. Estevao is a twig, probably a lot weaker physically than Gittens, but he is much more aggressive than Gittens and uses it really well.

Brilliant finish and a good game from him. Not too many in the squad with that kind of goal in their locker.

Sometimes he needs to remember to just play on instinct and knock the ball past into space. No one is catching up

Only saw highlights, and can’t argue with his end product today. Well done - hopefully builds some confidence and pushes on from here. Been tough on him and this was nice to see.

4 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Brilliant finish and a good game from him. Not too many in the squad with that kind of goal in their locker.

Sometimes he needs to remember to just play on instinct and knock the ball past into space. No one is catching up

Hes not allowed to do that though, far too risky, much more important to keep control and recycle the ball back to the defence.

I loved his energy in the dying minutes too - chasing down balls and harrassing players. I think minute 90 he chased the ball down from the keeper all the way back into our half before sliding in and nicking the ball off the Wolves player.

Cracking goal and he made those assists look easy. Should have had more too

I have to take a lot of the credit for his recent upturn in form. Since I got him to ditch the gloves he has improved considerably.

Answers the question, "can he do it away on a sh*tty night in brum?"

more of that please.

He turned a corner.. Then he turned back again after THAT effort at Tottenham