Philosopher

Tielemens is a very astute signing. His role is similar to Luiz in that he is a deep playmaker type. He plays for Belgium alongside Dendonker. So we basically have two good quality midfield duos in Kamara and Luiz, and Dendonker and Tielemens. With Iroegbunam back up to those two (if he doesn't go back out on loan). Oxlade-Chamberlin is a good player perfect for the wide midfielder role, but as we all know is injury prone and not worth it. Pay as you play deal the only way we even consider, so smells like media BS.

Champions league final still to come.

Reminds me a little of Rivaldo, but not as quick. Looks a player, strong, clever, creative, good touch, clean striker of the football. Looks like a cross between a 10 and traditional target man. Could play with any of our current strikers as a result.

So as Moreno won't be fit for the start of the season, it should give Digne expectations of a run in the team and a chance to stake a claim. I can't see him leaving unless a champions league team come in for him. He wages mean teams smaller than ours can't sign him. Tierney is injury prone, which is why Arsenal want to sell him. Otherwise he's a very good player. Also Tierney isn't the marauding fullback Moreno is, he is actually more of a defensive fullback. Makes no sense even if we do want another left back.

Nice Post. Not convinced by Wan Bissaka. Good defender, but I think Emery isn't just looking for a good defender. He needs defenders confident in possession and able to play out. I'm not convinced by Wan Bissakas ability to play out. So for.this reason I don't see Bissaka as the best option Under Emery we operate a high line, so any RB we sign will need to be quick. We also are a little weak aerially on set pieces, so I think any right back we sign will need to be decent in the air. Juan Foyth maybe not quite quick enough for my liking, but he ticks every other box. Rashford exposed us on the right side, his pace and abilty to spring the offside trap meant Konsa and Young could only watch. Hence i would like us to sign a player with genuine pace. Would be a good a signing in my opinion non the less, but 46m for a right back when we are looking to sign at least 2 attacking players, and a midfielder means I can't see us paying that. Given the stringent requirements for a right back, I can't see this being an easy position to fill. Emery may have to compromise a little here. Geertruida seems like a compelling option to me.

It's right to let him go. For me he was starting to look his age in his last few games. At 38 (which is what he'll be next season), we have to look forward. I'm sure Emery wants to bring in a RB of his own, so space needed to be made in the squad!

Agreed.

I think we need a better number 10 then him. He is a good player to have in the squad, so I wouldn't sell him. But he has clear limitations, so we need better. Came on as a sub so would obviously not be as good as the rest who played very well. Reality for him is, McGinn has been a better number 10 than him, and McGinn for me is an 8 that can do a job at 10. Not a natural 10. He has indeed made a few important goal contributions, and the reality is since Emery has come in, every player he has picked to start matches has made positive contributions. So our players are good (Buendia included), but to reach the next level we need to improve the squad and the 10 and 7 positions are obvious areas that can be improved.

Bailey had a good game yesterday, his defending was much improved, and he was productive going forward. 60 minutes he does tire, part of which is down to still not being fully match fit. Will be a good squad player next season, as I'm sure we'll bring.in a top talent in his position. However there are no guarantees, so better to keep him until whoever we bring in proves they're better than him. Plus we need to expand the squad. We need to bring in a player for each of those 3 positions behind the striker. And Archer needs to come back.

What a way to get European football. If we had start well and fizzled out to make 7th it would have been a disappointment, but to do the opposite and achieve this after such a terrible start to the season feels so special. Europa Conference, is the minimum this club should be achieving given our history, fan base, and infrastructure. This is the first season in a long time where what has been happening on the pitch is reflective of the the standard of the club as a whole. The match today was excellent. Not just a great, and deserved result (we were definitely the better team over 90 minutes), but a fantastically entertaining and high quality football match. Every player put in at least a Seven out of 10 bar Buendia (but as a sub it's understandable). Special mention to Ramsey, Luiz, and Kamara, who were excellent today. Kamara almost back to he best. Luiz was very good once again, and 7 goals for the season as a DM is a great return. Ramsey, two assists (should be 2 goals as well), looked like a proper left winger today, unplayable at times. As usual the referee was inconsistent, and made a mistake with most of his yellows. And also as usual the commentary was atrocious.

Two assists for Ramsey. Playing really well.

Bailey's been very good so far.

I would say he did a job for us. His loan when we were in the championship help us get promoted, but in the Premier league he wasn't particularly effective in my eyes. Flat track bully. When things got tough he disappeared! All in all I'd say add a mediocre bracket between good and bad, and toss him in there with Trezguet. While Trezguet was arguably even more mediocre than El-Ghazi, his goals kept us up, and he never went missing, always worked his butt off and always showed for the ball. A humble lad too. I miss him, even if he isn't good enough to be a Villa player anymore.

Such a likeable guy. Happy for him. Hope Luton pay up for him, because he deserves to play for a team where he is loved.

Rashford exploited the high line well for Man U in the game a old Trafford and the league Cup game. However they targeted our right hand side, which is where our slowest defenders are. If we can get a really speedy right back or right centre back it will help a lot. Konsa is no slouch, but Mings and Moreno are 2 of the fastest defenders in the league, but they are both on our left side.

He skilled and can pass. Not simply y a clogger. Also to have the pressing and tackling stats he has, means he isn't a holding player, but a ball winner. With good movement too.

I think he can come in to play right midfield or left midfield, or Luiz' role. He is versatile enough. In fact I think the extra attacking freedom of the wide midfield positions would suit his game better. Honestly if we got him and any one of Asensio, Williams, or Torres we would a fearsome proposition.

So what you’re saying is Buendia's low assists is because of poor finishing, so Bailey's similar level of assists is because of what? High quality of chances created? Or more luck with players finishing? They're suppling the same players! If Buendia does statistically create more chances, then the difference would surely be quality of chances. They both give the ball far too much, they're equally culpable. On Saturday Bailey was very good at not giving the ball away, a rarity, but he still got an assist as well. You can get assists and be good at keeping the ball, quality players do this and do it consistently. The only consistent thing about Buendia beyond the effort he puts in, is how often he gives the ball, he is profligate! Buendia's defending is overrated, he tries, but he often gets easily dismissed. Bailey doesn't have the bravery or aggression Buendia has to put in challenges, but he positions himself quite well, and cuts off the space well. But it's hard to compare as one plays high up on the right, and the other start high up in the centre, but drops deep, and doesn't run in behind. So Buendia spends more time in positions where he can be more involved with the play. Buendia isn't a bad player and neither is Bailey. But they have their limitations. I think Bailey struggles in the current set up because his ball carrying in more central areas is poor. He has pace, but his strength and balance make it hard for him to ride challenges, Buendia has a similar problem. This hampers them as much of our possession is in our own half, and we need attacking players that can carry the ball out of our half and find a pass at the end if it consistently. Neither have been doing this. Against Wolves and Tottenham we had more possession in their half than normal, and Buendia should thrive in these scenarios but he didn't, he struggled to make his passes, and play the right passes when in and around the opposition area. Build up play was good, a couple of flamboyant flashes, but end product was missing. Bailey has the same end product, from less touches, and less involvement in the play. This suggests going forward he is more effective. Reality is we need better from both, but they are far from awful. Useful squad players is what they should be next season.

Bailey was preferred to Buendia before his injury, and the results were pretty good then! Buendia get more credit then he deserves. Bailey gets more criticism than he deserves. Their performances and consistency has been on par with each other.

If we don't judge Buendia under Gerrard, surely Coutinho should get the same slack. Coutinho hasn't had a run in the team due to his fitness issues. The brief time he was fit and started he was the best player on the pitch. This a player who was once the most expensive player in the world. His ability is proven. His problem since he joined Barca is staying fit. This isn't Buendia bashing it's just stating facts. I am some times harsh on Buendia, but you amongst others overrate him in my opinion. He just isn't that good. Certainly not record signing good. Also he gets away with bad performances for him being involved and working hard defensively. But quite frankly when he is playing poorly his involvement works against us. Bailey on the other hand gets crucified. But look at their goals and assists, I don't see much difference. The consistency of their performances are the same. So why does one get praise and the other vilified?

Bailey, Digne, Chambers, and Dendonker are hardly deadwood. All are playing active roles in the squad, and Bailey is as much a first teamer as Buendia. I think all of those 4 are unlikely to be sold. Digne has shown he is still a player at this level and the competition of Moreno has brought out better performances. His age and wage are also stumbling blocks to any potential sale. Chambers versatility means he can cover 3 of 4 defensive positions. To sell him doesn't really make sense unless he wants to go, or a sizeable offer comes in. Dendonker with the exception of the Stevenage games has done well for us. He is a good professional, and is also Versatile. Doesn't make sense to sell him. Unless a sizable offer comes in. Bailey, despite his criticism has goals and assists, and has shown he is our best right wide forward. Yes we plan to strengthen this position and rightly so, but until we know we have 2 players in his position better than him, we shouldn't sell unless he wants to leave. Coutinho is a far better player than Buendia. The problem is this season he has spent more time injured than fit. This is a problem. This makes selling him very difficult when you combine his age and wage. It's a real shame. This has a Micah Richards feel to it! Fully fit and sharp, our best in his position, but we can't seem to ever get him fully fit and sharp!

Actually I think Thuram is far more box to box than DM. His size and aggression in the tackle make people think he's defensive, but he loves to get forward. He has good touch and technique. He is extremely versatile.

That was a shit ref. And where did 6 minutes of injury time come from?

That spurs midfield is trash. And their attackers can only run in behind (and offside), as their playmaker (Kane) is being owned by McGinn!

We are playing well, but Buendia keeps fluffing his lines!