30 Oct 2025 18:11:36
In hindsight, our summer spending had the accuracy of a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel.
Young Kerkez doesn't look ready. Maybe it's the system but giving him Robbo's place without earning it was never going to go down well. Its also too much change at once. You can't play an offside trap when half the back line still has their L Plates. And in the air? our full-backs are more bungalow than skyscraper. We are basically handing out frequent-flyer miles to opposition target men.
The fact we pursued Guehi all summer long concerns me. I accept he is quality at everything except being tall, but surely that is a requisite for a centre back.
Its been obvious for a long time that we are a bouncer short in midfield. Jones is unfortunately made of glass (lovely Scouse crystal, but still glass) . There is not enough bite.
Isak and Wirtz are luxury buys which should only have been entertained once the squad depth was adequate. There's lots to put right.
30 Oct 2025 18:26:39
Nonsense, Kerkez was the best left back in the league last season and the midfield is the same that won the league. We bought two full backs who's greatest strength is getting forward and we are not asking them to do that.
Wirtz and Isak were wanted by almost every team in Europe. Slot has been given all the tools needed to be successful this season and so far he's messing it up. This is on the manager.
30 Oct 2025 18:35:55
On paper the first team has improved from last year barring trent the players brought in are all an upgrade imo. Isak and ekitike for nunez is massive. Trent is a loss but robbo has massively gone backwards.
The problem is atm the morale is at a very bad low call it tactics whatever it is something isn't right. It doesn't look good but something has to change if it doesn't it will be the manager no doubt.
30 Oct 2025 18:46:32
I’ve said all along that Guehi improves our side. granted he’s not the tallest of centre halves but he’s organised and is adaptable plus he’s come on leaps and bounds the past 12 - 14 months.
He’s playing against teams with the same philosophy as what we’ve faced - set pieces, long throws and high balls and seemed to have coped pretty well?
30 Oct 2025 18:58:21
Took robbo a fair amount of time to cement his position.
30 Oct 2025 19:24:07
Salah was a luxury renew. Wirtz was to fit into Slots new system. Isak, who knows! I see no logic in Isak, he's injury prone and over rated. It's upset the apple cart. Etikete is pissed and has every right to be, getting dropped for an unfit Isak, crazy! Chiesa is playing the gentleman and working for his place, Salah is relaxed and Gakpo is getting on with it.
Selling, or at least not avoiding the sale of Diaz is proving to be very costly. And we all miss Jota doing his thing.
Everyone seems pissed off. Literally the whole team is running scared, the only certain names on the team sheet for a given position are Allison and Virgil, and on recent form I am not sure Virgil deserves that, but one man doesn't make a team and all that lar-d-dar and his form maybe be due to this crank system Slot wants to try. Fluk knows why its being tried out on supporters time and turf.
When I saw the team sheet for the Palace game, I was literally numbed. We capitulated an hour before the game. However, to be blunt, the players that were on the pitch did well as individuals and deserve credit for their work ethic and effort. But the crap system failed them and left the middle exposed (like what we have been watching every week) . Palace played the same system as they always do and beat us again. So no affront to the players on the pitch, but to Slot, a serious "has to find a way do better and start making some mentality changes".
Drop Kerkez, he's way out of his depth at the moment. Tell Ekitike he's the man! . Put Salah on the bench and start to build some trust with the team, especially the workers. Did anyone else notice the negative head shaking amongst the rested players?
Aside From Ekiteke and somewhat Wirtz, (reserving judgement on Leoni) It was a completely illogical, "mine is bigger than yours" transfer window and that's a club thing not just a Slot responsibility. I was happy the year before that we didn't sign anyone, it showed a patience and some thinking that there was a confidence in a system and player match-up with a solid first 15 or 17 players. That's now been consigned to the Panini bin and the scatter gun is peppering the tactics board.
Someone has to have the nads to tell Slot, he needs to back pedal a bit and get a grip. But my concern with every dutch manager that has walked the line is their stubbornness and inability to say "i got it wrong" and then make it right.
Onwards! I hope it swings around and fast. Peace.
30 Oct 2025 19:41:12
Two points - @3 points please - baresi, canavaro and maldini were all pretty short for CB so was puyol. You need to be tall, it helps, but it's not necessary.
Kerkez wasn't the best left back last season, statistically speaking Robinson from Fulham was both going forward and defensively, kerkez was top 3 for attacking stats but not for defensive ones. It should have been expected he would defend badly.
Personally I've no beef with new signings, even isak. They're new. They haven't been in this environment, this level of scrutiny, in this system before. They need time. For me Salah, Mac, vvd are ultra disappointing. Three of the most decorated and experienced players in Europe and they're all making rookie mistakes, contributing little and slowing down play and making is predictable.
Perhaps those two year contracts were a mistake.
30 Oct 2025 20:01:10
All the "In Hindsight. " stuff is becoming boring now. It's like trying to be a smart person after the fact.
Doesn't do anything to fix the issues we currently have esp. if you thought the very opposite of what you are claiming is all wrong now.
30 Oct 2025 21:08:48
I'm sorry Kerkez was most definitely not the best left back in the league last season and I voiced my concerns on here about signing him. Ed agreed and mentioned his lack of fitness. the lad doesn't even look in shape tbh. I hope he turns it around but I never had any confidence in this signing.
Why Pervis Estupinian didn't get more of a look is beyond me. Always looked a fantastic player when I watched him.
30 Oct 2025 21:31:50
Well Milos Kerkez fellow professionals certainly thought he was the best left back in the league last season.
30 Oct 2025 21:46:39
Kerkez was played in a system that suits his game at Bournmouth, but it was only one really good season, which could be an anomoly - who knows.
I don't see a world where either Isak or Wirtz suddenly become bad players, although the team needs to be built to accomodate them.
I would like to see Wirtz in the Bobby role with a solid MF behind him.
30 Oct 2025 21:46:44
I think Isak could well be a huge waste of money. If he was Slots choice I think it shows how poor a manager he is. Fortunately we have Hugo who will spare our blushes.
30 Oct 2025 22:00:59
I honestly can’t believe people are now moaning about us signing Isak. He’s one of the best strikers in the world and he will prove that in the not too distant future.
We lost Nunez, Jota and even Diaz who played in the striker role ahead of both of them last season. We needed 2 strikers and we got 2 very good ones.
30 Oct 2025 23:10:43
Kerkez, like three or four others in the squad, is not being used to his strengths. If people can’t see that then there’s little chance of a sensible discussion.
31 Oct 2025 09:31:28
Robboslostlegs, can't believe it either. I did see people saying we shouldn't sign Isak cos he cost too much or that the drama was getting chaotic. I never saw a soul on here saying we should not sign him cos he wasn't good enuff. Not a single one.
Now, it seems "in hindsight" (cos that is where the wind is blowing), it was not a good idea. And when the wind starts blowing the other way again with Isak and the team, they will be back.