17 Oct 2026 20:30:13
Great result against a tricky away side. Performance was not great atall.
The performances have improved from slots but that just shows you how bleak we were last season.
It's not great stuff we're conjuring atall at in the league atm. We look a top 6 side at best in the league.
Our central midfield needs reinforcements in January.
I'd urge everyone to watch the goal we conceded.
Macca stands and moves his hips slightly and away from the ball. That was his attempt at stopping the Incoming cross into the box to which they scored.
That's criminal. If that was a youngster, he'd have been yanked off the pitch.
I'm hearing we're after a LB in January. That's great, but we have an average midfield. This midfield is hindering us. We need real quality with pace and power in there.
17 Oct 2026 20:56:43
I agree. The midfield is the biggest issue, then the defence, then the forwards. But the midfield first. Never liked MacA. Not really sure what Gravenberch is? Sometimes looks like a world class midfielder and sometimes looks like he should play for Bolton. Szobo is probably our best but I am not even sure I like him. Massively overrated but still decent. I think a DM coming in gives the manager so much more options with the luxury players.
I personally think we have too much mediocrity and all seem to only want to play the same position. And it's funny how Nyoni is putting them all to shame. Good to see, but Wirtz has been a bad bad signing. We could have used Szobo there and bought a DM and a really good right back for the Wirtz money. The sporting director was awful over the last load of years.
17 Oct 2026 21:15:25
I think we've a very good defense. It'd be even better with a top 6 Infront of it.
17 Oct 2026 22:00:36
2 full backs and a proper no6 is what this team is missing IMO
Seen links to a lad called bajanqui at right fullback he looks(albeit YouTube ) very talented likes to run and very physical not sure if anyone more itk than me knows if it's anything in it.
I've not give up on Kerkez yet but he has a lot to improve on
Weve never replaced Fabinho in my eyes and would love the club to go out and get that proper no6 we've been crying out for I think it will bring the best out in other players like wirtz and a Kerkez say.
Not sure who that is btw if their is a modern day / ngolo kante regen anywhere can we please sign him.
17 Oct 2026 22:10:34
Injuries to in form big name players hasn't helped either. Even with everyone fit we would be short but at the moment it seems we're patching a makeshift team together for every game and the performances have matched that. What has impressed me though is despite all the problems Iraola is grinding out results and instilling a style of play;as far as without the ball goes anyway).6 wins 3 draws and 1 loss from the first 10 games is very decent under the circumstances.
17 Oct 2026 22:10:50
So, to summarise, the midfield isn't very good then? Is that right @Ron? Can we take that as read then or are you back on your once a day routine of saying the same thing over and over again?
17 Oct 2026 22:34:57
I'm not saying he's the answer but Macca was really good today.
Nyoni looked goosed from midweek as the game wore on.
17 Oct 2026 22:40:05
Camara incoming I've heard.
{Ed666's Note - I’d take Titi Camara right now
17 Oct 2026 23:08:50
The thing is Florian, if Arsenal or City get injuries they have a ready made replacement who is just as good. We don't even have their quality of starters when all our squad is fit. That is just the rubbish facts of the matter.
We aren't a million miles away. DM and 2 proper full backs could be the difference. Keep Kerkez and Frimpong for the bench and rotate Grav and MacA. Also think that maybe Wirtz should just be used for CL until we sell him for a huge loss.
18 Oct 2026 02:05:45
If you could tell me who the City replacement for Haaland is that would be great. None of the strikers Arsenal have are as good as Isak or Ekitike. Liverpool missing 6 first team players went toe to toe with a Sham City team missing virtually no one for 60 minutes until a red card changed the game.
18 Oct 2026 08:15:16
True FPF. but apparently his hips do lie as he failed to stop a cross with his hips. so, maybe he wasn't that good .apparently!!
18 Oct 2026 10:48:13
Shakira Mac Allister!
18 Oct 2026 09:58:13
I'm with you ed but I Trump you with Aztec just because I'm a comedy genius with wobbly glasses.
{Ed666's Note - Aztec Camara ?
18 Oct 2026 13:09:30
Agree what your saying about our squad Inbeta despite fifth picking out the one position we're the strongest in the league in?.its why I've said all along I'd be happy with Champs league places and progression this season.
18 Oct 2026 13:25:39
I agree with Neil from TAW regarding Dom S: "If he is your best player, you know you've got a problem."
Right-back and number 10 against physical sides are probably his best positions. He's also an excellent set-piece taker with a great engine.
Beyond that, I'm yet to be convinced that he's a genuinely world-class player.
18 Oct 2026 14:44:09
And yet who in our current squad is a better player than him FSW? And please don't say Wirtz.
18 Oct 2026 15:37:17
Dom has a lot of qualities, and is probably elite at direct free kicks, he leads the press with the best of them when he's on it, he can be very good driving with the ball from the center of the park, and he is always a goal threat around the box. He has very good passing range but his delivery is inconsistent in open play, though it is better from right back when he has more time to pick a pass. He is not a particularly good crosser but a more than decent corner taker. In the final third he can be very conservative with his passing and doesn't have the vision or wherewithal to try something riskier.
His biggest demerit is his below average duel winning rate and general lack of a tackling or ball winning game. He can be an exceptional and intelligent presser in terms of blocking passing lanes and harrying the opposition but he doesn't often come away with the ball (though that isn't the primary purpose of pressing anyway). He is also not especially good in the air.
Overall a very good player who can be influential on his day but not consistently a game changer who stamps his authority on games outside of free kicks.
If I'm thinking about who our 'best' player may be, they would have be somebody you can depend upon to put in a very good performance every single week, sometimes more than once a week. Right now you'd have to say it's probably Jacquet or Virgil. That's in the immediate present moment though, could change as our attack starts flowing and our forwards start picking up form.
I also have to say that Macca has quietly been very good since getting back in the starting 11 and has been our best midfielder this season.