Will see if it continues but if Malo gusto is continually picked ahead of you in your position it does not say much for you.

Even though we have half a fit midfielder available in the squad, Xabi Alonso spent too many years playing with John Arne Riise and Stevie Me to ever rate a ginger footballer. Understandable.

Arteta would never buy Barco. Too small and Ginger.

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Will see if it continues but if Malo gusto is continually picked ahead of you in your position it does not say much for you.

Says even less for the muppet who thought it would be a good idea to sign him in the first place.

Not slagging off Barco as I've hardly seen him play. But like you say, if the manager thinks that playing Malo f**king Gusto in midfield is better than playing Barco there, then a head should roll in the recruiting department.

Of course, we know very well that nothing will happen in that regard.

Needs to play. Will get his chance midweek. Hopefully does enough to start holding a spot until others return.

34 million only gets you a seat on the subs bench! Must be what Alonso sees day to day.

Although I still don’t see what several different managers see in Gusto!

He looks a player. A very small player, but a very good player.

Really like what I'm seeing so far.

I feel like he's what we thought Enzo would be.

Needs to realise the game is much quicker in the Prem than what he's used to. Lost the ball a few times in his own half, think it was the Leeds 2nd goal that came from that? Happened a few times. I think with patience he'll be a very good player, just got the usual PL learning curve to deal with.

Getting caught in possession for that 2nd goal was pretty poor, really should have got rid much earlier, but overall did quite well. Lovely little drag back thingy as part of one of our goals shows hes not too shabby on the balll.

Owe the young man an apology.

I judged him purely on his nationality and lack of soul. I was wrong.

Such a huge upgrade on Enzo (Yes we still need to sign a CM or 2 but that was the case regardless)

Needs to improve upon his awareness under pressure but aside from that, his tenacity, his passing, his positional discipline were all top notch.

He not only got an absolute worldy assist, to land it perfectly on Welbecks head from such an angle is unheard of. But also chipped in with that much lauded ‘box crashing’ to score.

He didnt do himself any harm last night. Looks a useful player. I hope Alonso makes good use of him especially when we are without Caicedo.

Could do with a couple more inches but who here hasn't dreamed of same?

3 hours ago, dkw said:

Getting caught in possession for that 2nd goal was pretty poor, really should have got rid much earlier, but overall did quite well. Lovely little drag back thingy as part of one of our goals shows hes not too shabby on the balll.

Big mistake but love the way he responded, didn't hide and showed an impressive attitude/character/mentality in all he did.

Have to admit to being one of those that were really upset with Santos being sold, however although early days this guy seems as good as or even better from box to box perspective, do like his ability to spot a pass and his range of passing also.

Don't think his size will be a problem will give as good as he gets in that respect it seems and a little like Wisey in small but physical side of things possibly.

I thought bar the mistake for the second goal that he was pretty good last night.

I think he'll complement Caicedo well in midfield, and he gets stuck in.

1 hour ago, dermott said:

Could do with a couple more inches but who here hasn't dreamed of same?

Are you here all week?😂

1 hour ago, dermott said:

Could do with a couple more inches but who here hasn't dreamed of same?

44 minutes ago, OTL said:

Are you here all week?😂

Try the veal.

2 hours ago, OTL said:

He didnt do himself any harm last night. Looks a useful player. I hope Alonso makes good use of him especially when we are without Caicedo.

I actually thought he was culpable for the first two goal. Fannying around near our own byline, slips over and knocks the ball out for a corner. This eventually result in the corner that they score from (although i will also concede that Penders looked like he was doing a Kepa impression of tracking the ball through the air instead of trying to come for it and naturally the pussy Gusto failed to make any form of attempt of a challenge at the back post). Then for the second he again did some overly fussy turns back into trouble and lost the ball, resulting in the goal (although again James was ball watching).

So on 48 minutes, i was fuming. Get the tw@t off the pitch. However by the end, because we were flying he had a solid game, scored a goal, got an assist (!) and kept us moving. On balance i think he did alright and would again be one of those performing well as part of a better group. Not ready to be the main player in a more second string line up though.

I think that this kind of sums up the issue when you make 9 changes and field a team that is not familiar and contains players that have so little first team football that they perhaps try too hard to impress and end up cocking things up.

I think if he does manage a few more games beyond the league cup, he could achieve cult status at the Bridge.