HKP90

This!!! We’re gonna make mistakes, which we have to learn from but we’re not being battered every week.

We’ve had to entirely rebuild the squad this off season. Almost from square one. And after 6 games when we dont beat Arsenal, some folks are talking about smith not lasting til Christmas. F***ing embarrassing levels of entitlement on display.

Trez was knackered.

I said it last year after we got promoted, our own fans expectations will be the biggest hurdle to us staying up.

Come on. This was said all over this board about 5 games after he was appointed. Knees don’t jerk on here, they f***ing explode.

I think you are underestimating how many chances Tammy needed last season before netting. That was in an inferior league when our creative players were able to fashion those chances. Yes he’s doing well at Chelsea, but look at the quality of his team mates. Put wes in that Chelsea team and he’d also score. It’s mightily unfair imo to lay the blame solely at Wes. He’s not getting the support he needs, especially since he traditionally occupied a deeper role than Tammy. We’re asking him to lead the line now, which is a bit of a change for him too. He needs both time and creative support. In retrospect we needed to get another 1 or 2 wide men/inside forwards with quality, but remember we also had to build an entire team. I think we did what we could to field a competitive team, and we’re now in a position where 1 or 2 players would make us a quality side, rather than 5 or 6. I expect us to use this period to consolidate and bed in, and maybe try to get some quality in Jan. If we do that we’ll be mid table. Our defence is perfectly capable, which is probably the hardest and most important piece of the puzzle to get right.

Ok. Terse. I like it.

Does anyone else get the feeling after this and the Kevin Friend debacle that we’re not welcome back in the Premier? It kind of feels like we gatecrashed a celebrity wedding, only for a spiteful usher to lie and say that we p*ssed in the chocolate fountain to get us kicked out. Kind of makes me want to p*ss in their chocolate fountain.

I think creative players are always more prone to inconsistency than defensive players. You kind of want an intangible unpredictability, as it unlocks defences, and is less likely to be consistently nullified by the high level full backs playing in the prem. Unless they are top drawer, there will always be a time when what they do does not come off, or the opposition has their number. I think it’s more important for us, where we are to have different options, and be able to switch it up when things aren’t working, or one of them is in a slump. We have that to a degree, with El ghazi, Trez and Jota. Both Jota and El Ghazi on their day can be unplayable, but going forward we could do with a few more options to switch things up. Perhaps a more traditional wide player with a great cross for when the opposition full backs have pace and can track our current wingers. For me it’s Jack’s position where we need more urgent attention, as we have few options if he’s not at it, or has been sussed by whatever opposition we are facing.

People are underestimating West Ham as well, already chalking it up as a win, which is imo wrong. I think based on the games I've seen that we have a decent chance against Burnley, but at this stage I think 4 points from the next three games would be OK.

Absolutely this. He was feeding off the ghosts of scraps against Palace

I can’t believe that after the stick (quite rightly I must add) that previous managers have had for adopting a turgid defensive approach, people on this thread are now suggesting that if DS does not change his philosophy it ‘may be his downfall’. The lack of patience on offer is absolutely staggering.

I think it’s also worth pointing out that almost half of the first team has played only five competitive matches together.

Has anyone got a link to the post match interview? I wanna hear this.

Honestly chill the F out everyone. It wasn’t great, but it’s our fourth freaking league game, and we won the last one. Also, whilst our performance was poor, we almost drew the game with 10 men. As a fan base we need to stop the self flagellation. We get it, we’ll lose a few this year. It feels like some are genuinely shocked we’re not title contenders or something. Let’s just back the team shall we? It’s not even bloody September!

Stop it.

Ref 1 - 0 Villa

Agree with much of this, but I don’t think Palace will be in the mix for relegation. For me the matches against Norwich, the blades, and possibly southampton will be more important.

Fantastic news Tyrone!!

Wow, bold statement. That’s like having a tattoo in Magaluf that your mate chooses after 15 pints. #regrets

Yeah man. Think he reminds me of Dalian (rip) cos he sort of leans back a bit when he runs, plus the haircut and the fact he’s got a bit of meat on him.

You just don’t get physics jokes on other football forums.

He kind of runs a bit like Dalian Atkinson, except faster, and he actually passes to other players. Actually, he’s nothing like Dalian. I’ll get my coat.

Gaaaahhhhhh!!! Come on!!!! That is a tremendous result