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Philosopher

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Everything posted by Philosopher

  1. He was supposed to have the time, but Mings did his knee ligaments!
  2. True. Feel for Bailey here, he has actually created a couple of chances. He has had little to work with, but done okay. Can't believe McGinn is still on the pitch.
  3. Bailey has been lively. The problem is we're struggling to get the ball out of defense. When we do the central midfield are struggling to get out of our half.
  4. McGinn, and Kamara are struggling out there. Pau is clearly struggling with the pace of this league, and Liverpool's high press is terrifying him.
  5. How this guy isn't in the Brazil squad I don't know? He is every bit as good as Bruno, better than Paquetta, I just don't understand it!
  6. Watkins has one real weakness. His touch is average at best. The finishing thing is overblown. Every striker misses chances. Ollie isn't especially profligate. 1 goal in 3 chances is considered a good finisher, Ollie isn't far off that.
  7. That lad will get goals. I'm convinced he'll get double figures. Probably not 15 plus as I doubt the supply at Sheff Utd will be good enough for that.
  8. So happy with the business done. As we all seem to agree, first team stronger, and squad much deeper. Diaby is a fantastic player. Pau is quality, but he may need a bit to time till we can get the best out of him. Tielemens is quality, and means we have an alternative deep lying playmaker to Luiz. Lenglet is a good rotation option, and cover for the injured Mings, will slot in nicely when needed I'm sure. Zaniolo for me is a wild card. The class is plain to see, he oozes it! Top quality and a powerhouse. I believe if he stays fit he'll be better than Diaby. He's looking hungry. This is what I believe will turn out to be our strongest line up. Now I think it is rough on Ramsey to not be there but he is certainly pushing to be in there with Mcginn and Zaniolo. Zaniolo and Diaby would be swapping positions and are basically interchangeable in the formation. The backup team looks good enough to get us to the quarters of the ECL. I'm satisfied with that. Can't wait to see the season unfold.
  9. That's basically the same as what we paid for Diaby. And Brennan Johnson isn't in that class!
  10. He doesn't play JJ as an out and out wi ger though. He plays him as more of left midfielder. I think he sees JJ and McGinn as wide midfielders and as 8 / 10 cross type players. Rather than a wide forwards, Which Bailey, Traore, and Diaby are. So I'd say a right footed left wide forward is exactly what we are after. From what I have seen tactically, Emery usually has a wide midfielder with an attacking fullback on one side and a wide forward, with a defensive fullback on the other. But occasionally he'll play with two wide midfielders if he wants us to be more solid defensively. Emery seems to be building a squad that is tactically, and stylistically flexible, so to not have a right footed wide forward in his squad would hurt this. If JPB goes (as is expected) then I expect we'll see a right footed wide forward come in.
  11. I agree on Olsen, but I would start him against Hibs. A few games where he does well, will help his confidence. Players need games to find their form. Thought Olsen was decent on Sunday. We just can't loan from Barca, and Galatasary.
  12. Lenglet is a decent central defensive reinforcement. Means we'll see alot more of Konsa at right back. Regardless I'm happy with the defensive options now. Now we need another creative attacker.
  13. He is quick and a hard worker. But I'm not convinced.
  14. This guy has the intelligence to go with his pace and skill. Looks like he will be a real consistent performer.
  15. Two quality operators is just right for me. Another attacker (left wide forward) and a right back for me. Then even with the injuries we will have at least two quality players for every position. I don't want us to have a bloated squad.
  16. This could be the case, but I feel we need to temper expectations a little as he need to overcome his injury issues. So long as he stays fit though, he'll be a monster.
  17. In terms of raw defending, he could be our best defender.
  18. He is still adapting to the extra physicality of the league, and the higher tempo, but he is getting there. Anfield next week will be a real test.
  19. It's the Cruyff turn with an extra large helping of arse!
  20. Always in control. We look like one of the best teams in the league. Burnley are a good little side and will be alright this season. Diaby was my man of the match, unplayable at times, high quality goal and assist. 9 Cash might have got my man of the match had he kept playing as he is supposed to instead of hunting for the hattrick. Can't blame him, but we might have had 4 or 5 otherwise. 8.5 McGinn was so composed, which isn't something I'm used to saying about him. His throughballs, and abilty to retain possession and break their press was vital to a complete team performance. 8 Digne's performances in the last 3 games means Moreno has a job to get back in the team. I make that his 5th assist in 4 games. 8 Watkins got a good assist tonight, should've had a goal too, but his work in the build up and his running off the ball kept the Burnley defence on the back foot throughout. 7 Kamara really got stuck in today, and his distribution was good. 7 Luiz didn't control things as well as he can, but a solid shift nonetheless. 6 Carlos was the pick of the back 3 mopped everything up, strong as an ox. 7 Pau's ball playing is very assured, gradually getting up to speed. Got done for their goal though. 6 Konsa was beaten by Koleioso a couple of times, and he won't have been happy about that. His ball playing is much improved. 6 Olsen was solid played one dodgy pass to Kamara, had no chance on the goal. Otherwise decent distribution, and a couple of decent saves. Looked a more reliable no 2 keeper than has been. 6 Zaniolo linked up well, looks hungry and eager to do well. If he can stay fit he'll be very good for us. There is a confidence and assuredness about this team that makes me feel we can win something this season. We have few weaknesses and many strings to our bow. We are good defensively but have goals a plenty. I'm as excited as I could be again after what was a very deflating defeat on the opening day. My concerns about the defense and our ability to adapt in the absence of Mings was valid, but fortunately none of the teams we subsequently faced could really threaten us This is mainly due to their lack of quality, but the team has been very organised and the midfield has protected the defence really well. This has bought us time to get Pau and Carlos up to speed. The real test is awaiting us at Anfield next week.
  21. We look like one of the best teams in this league. The team looks very complete. In the sense that we can defend well in numbers, are a massive threat on the transition, can control possession and set the tempo, can break teams down, and we're pretty clinical too.
  22. Thoroughly professional job so far. Looking comfortable for the 3rd game in a row.
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