Philosopher

This is Zaniolo's best game for us so far. Battled hard. Provided an outlet. Needs to keep it up for the rest of the game.

We've carried Diaby the whole game. Needs to come off.

Not necessarily. After a hamstring surgery like he had that is often true. But a lot it is mental. Also hamstring injuries are common amount sprinters for example, but most get back to running just as quick. The demand on footballers are different as they need flexibility and endurance not just straight speed. As a result it tends to take longer to get fully up to speed.

I always thought goal scored from the rebound after a keeper saves a shot count as an assist for the shooter.

I agree with pretty much except, that Tim hasn't had enough time to make an impact in the two sub appearances he made. You comment on Tim was unfair. Otherwise, absolutely have to keep our best players. I have said the same time and again.

Only problem is he may not be fit before the summer deadline! So who will buy him?

He's nowhere near fully fit so he can't be in contention anyway. However I actually believe Unai can improve him, and he'd be better than Chambers. Will never stay fit enough to see it though.

I can't vote as I just don't know. A lot of it will come down to support from the owners and success on the pitch. If he is as successful as I dare not to hope we could see over a decade with multiple titles. On the flip side if we fail to get champions league over the next 3 seasons he'll be gone within those 3 years. The project he has here is perfect for him, for now and his future ambitions. So I don't really worry about him leaving for a Bayern. Maybe if he gets us into champions league for two or 3 seasons but can't transform us into title challengers and trophy winners he might look at The 'bigger' jobs but for now we are good with him and vice versa.

I can't see Archer having much of a role in our first team squad. He will probably be sold if we have buy him back. Philogene is an interesting one as I would have kept him at Villa as I believed (and still do) that he's ready for the Premier league. But we have bought Rogers and have Buendia coming back. As a result I'm not convinced bringing him back is the best option. We almost certainly have a sell on clause there and premier league teams will be interested. Tim will be kept and be in that squad I'd expect. Sinsalo as the third keeper makes sense, but we may sell or loan him out as I don't see how he is ready for this level. Kellyman might qualify next season, if so I think he'll be in there. Otherwise I don't see any that are ready. Maybe Kadan Young? How has he been getting on this season for the u18's and u23's?

That's only when passing out from the back. When defending we are a flat 4. When attacking in the opposition half we have a lop-sided 4. We don't play a back three. When the ball goes to the left back (when playing out) Pau goes more central. When it goes to the right back the RCB goes more central. However the centre point in our playing out is actually Martinez. In addition previously Kamara would drop into the RCB position allowing the RCB to go central adding a deep passing option. Now Doug is dropping into the Centre of our two CB'S. When defending having the pace in the wide CB positions is better for defending against pacy wide forwards which is probably the weakest part of our defence outside of set pieces currently. Mings also likes to play those long diagonal balls. What you’re highlighting backs up my belief that it's difficult to partner up Pau and Mings. It's horse for courses. Unfortunately in a back four Pau and Mings isn't practical. In a back 3 whether or left or centre they're interchangeable. With Pau central of a 3 it gives him the freedom to move into midfield and create overloads in the middle of the park which is the point of our current formation. Of course he can also do that from the left although it becomes a little more complicated that way as the positions of players have to make bigger adjustments every time he moves forward with the ball. Now if we have an RCB like Pau then what your saying would work a treat. We can have Pau and Said RCB pinging balls and making runs into midfield, with Mings doing the covering.

I'm interested to see what he can do in that Tielemens position.

As a player that relies on pace and workrate going into his mid 30's will be tough. But at 32 - 33 he will still be a very good player. He can certainly maintain he current level for another 4 or 5 seasons so long as he stays injury free. But he will have to start changing his game a little once he hits 32.

You make good points. But if we are playing a back 3 then for me you put Torres in the middle. Where he can influence the game more, also with Moreno left you need good cover for him. As he won't get as much protection from midfield. Thing is a back 3 is something we won't see often. Essentially we have a very traditional back 4 in terms of shape. Our right winger is practically a second striker so we require more defensive grit at right back. And our left winger is playing in the half space between left wing and central midfield and is far less offensive which means the left back receives better defensive cover.

That's a leap, but fullback is a position where younger players can breakthrough easier. They are also huge talents so I wouldn't right it off. Unlikely, but I'd love to see it.

Carlos is a highly paid player that so far hasn't contributed what one would expect from a player of his standing and value. Hence saleable. Of course we only sell him if we can replace with better. Of the players I mentioned the ones currently on loan are Dendonker and Sanson. And we are probably contributing to Sanson's wages, and Dendonkers loan is only for 5 months. Also the wage saving don't take into account appearance fees and so on. As well as going by the lowest figures quoted for wages. Obviously I'm not privy to the intricacies of the clubs accounts so they're inherently speculative. The point wasn't to provide an in depth analysis but to show that lots of money can be saved and brought in without selling important players. I really find the talk of selling the likes of Luiz, Watkins and JJ extremely unpalatable. Plus I don't believe for one minute we'd sell any of those players unless the players themselves insisted on it. As for the right backs, if you have a player in Nedeljovic whom is considered the best right back prospect in Europe there needs to be opportunities for him. In regards to Cash, Carlos and even Digne I don't think we should definitely sell, rather that they are more on the fringes of our squad, who we could improve, who could also bring in funds from their sale. In regards to transfer policy we should be planning for the future, while looking to bring in one big signing in a key position. I would go for RCB or RB. With DM in the back of the mind. For me aggression, pace, and strength are qualities we need to add to the squad in those positions.