rubberman
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Everything posted by rubberman
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It's going to be interesting to see over the next few games. For me, those were aberrations caused by the injuries to Mings/Carlos (I think) early in the games and before Emery had a chance to drill the replacements as it was so early in the season - Pau had only been here a couple of weeks. I think both the first choice and back up defenders now have it nailed and while the high line may get occasionally beaten, i don't expect us to be done over in the same way, even by the best attackers.
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I'd be disappointed with less than 4 from the next 4, but think 8 is absolutely achievable (and would be amazing). Spurs aren't all that, are in dodgy form and have major injuries. City and Arsenal are not unbeatable and won't be looking forward to visiting fortress Villa Park - they will also play in a way that suits us. Bournemouth needs to be a win in the context of this tough run. I sense we'll rise to the occasion of 'big' matches and will hopefully have Moreno and JJ available for some minutes.
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Still chuckling at that forest lads combined 11!
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Standard first choice team. Let's make this another statement.
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But we are in a tile race. It may not last, as many think spurs won't, but for the season so far we are in touch with games against the other contenders to come. Sure - it may be unlikely - but our form is good enough and we have key players to come back. I'm not writing us off yet - let's see where we're at at halfway.
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It's all rather moot anyway. Utd won't be getting rid of ETH while the Ratcliffe part-purchase is still pending. He wants control of footballing side as part of the agreement so they'll not want to jeopardise that by switching now IMO. (Though never underestimate the Glazer's chance to bollox things up I suppose...) Anyway - I'm more interested in seeing how Unai brings back Moreno and JJ (hopefully after the international break), while managing the incumbents. Digne's done a pretty good job this season si is not going to want to lose his place and there's already a bit of a fight for starting places further forward. Ideally it pushes everyone to step up even more.
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Because a lot of their 'valuations' are very undercooked until there's an actual sale. We've had Martinez (28m valuation), McGinn (27m), Konsa (25m), Luiz (55m) etc around for a while now, where Newcastle have bought a lot in more recently (Botman, Isak, Bruno, Gordon), so proportionally we have more undervalued players than they have.
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On the one hand, I'm sure there will be clubs eyeing up Unia, it's very obvious what an amazing job he's doing. Likewise De Zerbi. But in that article Carragher says he'll want to prove himself at Champions League level, implying that will be with another club, while at the same time saying we have a very good chance of making CL qualification ourselves. Doesn't seem to occur to him that that means Unai can just carry on the job here.
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Well, we've been up there with them since Unai arrived so don't see why we should accept that they are better than us. It's a bit like Gerrard's chelsea quote. Anyway. What we need to do is continue the form and pressure on those around us and see where we end up. What happens in other games will happen regardless. I think we'll have enough for Forest and would be happy with 0-1 and another 3 points.
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1/3 of the season is gone and they are 7 and 10 points behind us already. As we saw when we were 'stuck' in 11th last season it takes a lot of work to catch up that many points. It would need the top 5 gang (and most importantly, us) to have a run of bad form as well as them completely turning things around to catch up. Certainly not impossible at this stage, but getting harder by the week. I can see Utd getting worse as it gets more toxic there and no real signs of improvement at Chelsea yet, though I think they are more likely to improve.
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Nah. They draw and we win and we're still 7 ahead of Newcastle, but also level on points with Arsenal (will need 3-0 to go above them in this scenario). Don't think we should be thinking anyone is a gimme to finish above us while we are still amongst them. Getting into the top 4 for the next international break would be huge for momentum.
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Fully on board, kool aid drunk, top 4 finish selected. (maybe need an overly optimistic option)
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Yep - next season will be fine!
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Going to be more and more of this now, especially if chelsea and utd continue to be shite. I've said before, but I don't have any concern that he'll go any time soon while the project is progressing so well. This is the perfect set up for him to flourish and he's only just getting started.
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Yeah. I assume the trackers they wear give feedback on each player's condition during the game so the coaches can see if someone is going to start blowing out their arse before it happens. I am kind of surprised that in an era of more subs, we haven't seen more of a shift to bringing on groups of `finishers' like they do in egg-chasing. eg get all-action players like McGinn to give everything towards a 60/70min finish at a higher intensity knowing that they will be coming off then so don't need to hold back to last out 90.
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Sounds like there's a story to be told here.
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Can anyone confirm which gear we were playing in?
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Exactly this.
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I seriously would not swap Unai for either of them. Yes, they are both at the top end of the game, but I don't think they'd be able to match what he does in the development of players. There's no one in our squad who hasn't vastly improved - we're not just buying someone better to replace players. I believe we are witnessing the start of something exceptional.
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Agree. For one thing, after the arsenal stint he will want to show that he can do a proper full job and prove his doubters wrong. It is also unlikely that at one of the 'super clubs' he will get the full backing to completely control and reshape everything with his hand picked team. This is just such a perfect fit at a perfect time. He has plenty more years to come, hopefully a good few here, and when it is time to move on let's hope he's achieved all his targets. I could see the national team being attractive (in 10 years time!)
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Wouldn't be massively surprised to see Spurs held tonight at Palace. City possibly, though less likely, could draw at Old Trafford. Liverpool and Arsenal look like bankers as much as our game. Would be great to get into the top 4. Do our business and keep the pressure on those above.
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Will need to be patient and make sure no complacency creeps in. As ever, if we can get an early goal the floodgates could open, but might find it a frustrating afternoon with them sitting back.
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More a tsunami than a ripple!
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I think he fits pretty much the Emery archetype player. As well as technical skills, he has the intelligence to take in and apply what Unai wants/expects from him (as well as a willingness and humbleness to learn). No room for billy big-bollocks egos here - all one team masterminded by Unai and his coaches.
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I think that horse has bolted this week. Seems pretty much every outlet has done a piece on us, Unai, Ollie or Dougie and whether we can break into the top 4. I find it refreshing and exciting coming from being pretty much invisible in the media. Unai has stated his target as CL qualification for the season, but equally I'm pretty sure he'll keep heads focused on the job and stop complacency coming in. Job's only 1/4 done so far.
