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thunderball

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Everything posted by thunderball

  1. thunderball
    With Ramsey (then Buendia) returning its do or die. We still need squad numbers but he needs to dig in and find himself, he clearly has talent.
  2. thunderball
    Cool, I have a BBC B, I might fire it up and try your programme after I finish Elite
  3. thunderball
    We are doing very well, even better considering we have bedded in new players and lost 4 of last seasons starting 11 that finished so strongly. This league is harder than ever, the coaching quality and strength in depth of teams is at new levels, the old top three is now a top 6 or 7, in fact the top 10 is a difficult place to attain. Other than Sheffield (who we have yet to meet!), all other teams have some thing on their day and Bournmouth are on a very good run and you can see why. We were out of sorts yesterday, but hung on to salvage something, thats the positive. We are finding the two games a week a challenge and December could break us, we already look a bit tired so the fact we are still getting points is a very good trait. This is why you see the same old sides at the top: champion's league money allows them bigger, better quality squads to compete on all fronts with rotation of quality players. Newcastle are built on a good defensive structure and they have a bigger, more physical team, and they have busy front men - Gordon is playing very well at present. I think they are better than us, and possibly Spurs too, but we are doing alright, we are certainly in the mix and likely to be all season with Spurs, Newcastle and Man Utd. A lot of football still to play.
  4. thunderball
    I think the truth of this is somewhere in between, I understand both view points, however suggest expectation informs the response. Bournemouth are a very decent outfit, especially at home, and getting their form and game together at the wrong moment for us, we are surely not so entitled that we expect to steam roller anyone, we all know the PL isn’t like that, it’s why it’s the best league in the world. Quality goals from us today, and another point away from home having come from behind, that’s my take away.
  5. thunderball
    They shared a warm embrace and intimate conversation after the Spurs game…..
  6. thunderball
    First game Ive missed watching live for years, looks like it was a good one to miss. Saw the highlights, the Watkins goal was tremendous, he is on fire at the moment, and Duran’s turn and shot was terrific, shame it didn’t go in. Couldn’t see much wrong with Carlos’s goal they must have really looked very hard to find something in that, and the unpunished pull back is an absolute disgrace, there should be repercussions for that, it’s embarrassing. Plenty to be confident about, despite the away form, we’ve dug in in our last two away games rather than crumble and if given a chance, we would likely have taken 4 points from the last two fixtures.
  7. thunderball
    If we make one signing it’s Frimpong for me, he would defo add quality competition. Had a great understanding with Diaby too. Him on the RHS and Moreno on the LHS has a good feel to me.
  8. thunderball
    It’s £15m apparently. If he’s good enough to come back it’s still cheap
  9. thunderball
    If we have a good December and stay fit, with very good players coming back I would be confident of a strong season finish.
  10. thunderball
    Champions league qualification, by a street mile. Its progress: ensures better income, allows us to grow our squad, top class games the following season and attracts better players. Its a no brainer for me.
  11. thunderball
    It would be waste to beat Spurs away then lose to Bournemouth, we need to win if we are backing ourselves. I think their recent confidence could be their undoing, but definite banana skin. I just don’t see us having the legs to go the distance this season, but get results this month and who knows, especially with players coming back - poor Digne needs a rest! I think we already are the surprise package this season, but unlike the crazy Leicester season, there are plenty of contenders this, but maybe they are all taking points off each other?
  12. thunderball
    Yes, he had a very promising outing
  13. thunderball
    I dont want to take any gloss off Pau, but I think Konsa is a closer match for McGrath - his timing and reading of the game is excellent, and still improving.
  14. thunderball
    The Spurs view has got me riled TBH, its a self pity weighted view that avoids the bigger questions about their ability and form. Some of their recall of events is shocking, my take is wholly different to the popular narrative peddled (mainly by them): 1. Emery was surprised by Ange's formation and selection; we expected more space and their pressing and directness in attack was as impressive as our rusty back 5's inablity to get to grips with it, the lack of midfield link up mainly due to having 5 at the back at the expense of a conventional midfielder. 2. Cash is great at running the channels but badly struggled with coming inside and isnt as instinctive there as our usual suspects, he got caught out positionally and also his decision making was poor. 3. For all our first half ineffectiveness and the brightness of Spurs, we weathered the first half storm and whilst they trumpeted Kulusevski's hitting the wood work and Son's offside goal, they score a deflected goal that was otherwise heading into Martinez's hand. We should have scored with Pau's header which was easier to hit the target than put narrowly wide; had a disallowed goal for at best a micro marginal/technical offside, at worst a bad call; and importantly scored an excellent goal through sheer determination and force of character. 4. Second half in the battle of the Manager's Emery prevailed - astute analysis, immediate action and transformed the game. Once we got ahead we controlled the game. We actually looked like we might have scored more but Bailey and Watkins both held back when the break was on, in the interest of playing the percentages and keeping possession amongst numbers: 5. Watkins could have added another if he hadnt stumbled in the box when clear and Bailey hit the post. 6. Off side is part of our game strategy, its not their bad luck, you only have to look at our stats to see it is defensive excellence where our defence is better drilled than their offence. Its how we play, and frankly if off-side flags went up like they used to, they would even get the shot away, but VAR insists linemen keep their flags down which gives a false impression. This intends no disrespect to Spur who are clearly well coached and look a very useful unit, they gave us one of our toughest games this season. Its early in their project and they do look very dangerous - good recruitment and further settling in will ensure they are an excellent proposition. However I think they have had easier games to date, timely matches when opposition was off colour and a flukey win against Liverpool which was VAR mistake assisted, so this down turn was always due. Like us they have a tough run to the end of December lets see where we all stand in January.
  15. thunderball
    Just dipped back in here after the dust has settled, and WOW, how salty, entitled and unlikable are the Spurs fan base?? And further, if you ever need to evidence of main stream media’s predisposition toward their top 6, and unashamed bias you have now. Apparently this result was only about injuries to Spurs, it’s that simple, that is the only narrative in evidence. Spurs firmly on my “dislike list” now, I will look back with interest to see where they are at the end of December….. I would add that some of the more cerebral outlets are generally notice/beginning to credit Villa, and specifically Emery, with doing something here at the moment.
  16. thunderball
    Wow. Big second half, great character, just enough. Didn’t enjoy that though. Need to be on our game to beat Bournemouth then we come home again. Happy days, exciting times with players coming back.
  17. thunderball
    Such an uncomfortable watch this. Please be over
  18. thunderball
    Enjoy it while it lasts….
  19. thunderball
    Don’t remember such an end to end game as the 5-5 Forrest v Villa game. It’s uncomfortable viewing
  20. thunderball
    Defo going to see a sending off today
  21. thunderball
    [wrong thread]
  22. thunderball
    Terrible first half performance. Second best everywhere, the fact we are only a goal down is the only positive. Cash has to come off. Ref is a complete AR*EHOLE
  23. thunderball
    You feel this could go very well, however just that away form niggle…
  24. thunderball
    A goal will settle and unlock him you feel.
  25. thunderball
    He’s human. Imagine a player, or team full of players that ALWAYS played at their peak of their capability? It has never happened because they are human. A massive step in quality for us.
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