Atticus Finch

Because we are all #teamKerkez and think he should pass to him occasionally I think Gakpo is fine in a well functioning side, which is why I have no issue with him being a squad option. He is not the player to unlock a low block though as he isn't dynamic enough, doesn't go on the outside, isn't great at beating a man, and his cut inside and blam is not great when there are ten opposition players in the area blocking shots

Agree with that, but they are stylistically so different. One is all tricks, pace and very little end product (fair enough for a kid). The other is one paced, predictable with occasional end product (which is why we need a better alternative to rotate him woth)

Looked knee on hip

They looked it. But they haven't been fit all season and the squad that he is prepared to use is tiny. So one of them innit Both Gomez and Endo in the last 2 matches have shown they could and should have been used more this season (when fit)

Suspect we were knackered, shape had gone and rather than trying to hold onto the lead Bournemouth went on the front foot

Didn't have much in front of him, but yeah wasn't his best game

They aren't going to act before the last CL game

I hate this team and I hate this league

He literally did this on Wednesday. Seems incapable of sorting it out in the league though

Must be load related and protecting hammies

#HughesLogic

No Hugo, no party. Been the same all season

Next two goals vital...

I agree that's how I think we should be playing, unfortunately I think the evidence is there that Arne disagrees

Coutinho, Agger and Mascherano too

Best since Puskas

Tbf Arne has been saying that for a while

Other than both being shortarses! At least they are showing they are good enough at last

Definitely growing on me. Been good defensively and beginning to link better going forward. Needs to work on his crossing next!

Genuine question, to what end from the UAE perspective?

Completely agree, but is anyone playing exciting football this year? All seems very turgid - the league is full of well coached top level players, who are very capable of spoiling a game if they want to I can understand him not wanting to disrupt his kids education, don't think we should hold that against him. Rafa often left Montse and the kids at home when he took on his later roles

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I'm hoping (like everyone) that's a temporary thing though! I'm not even sure he was completely first team ready when we bought Konate. I definitely remember him being phased in, being rotated with Joe and Joel

Completely agree. I was trying to explain what I think the club are looking for, which means they have painted themselves into a corner. The current bar is are they a more usable defender than Ramsey or Endo, which is a pretty low bar. Its bonkers to think we can do the second half of the season with Joe Gomez as back up for both right back and centre back

I think we've been spoiled by VVD, plus Joe, Ibu and Joel (when fit and at their peak). If we want to play with a high line, holding halfway and playing the game in the opposition half, then the centre backs need to be fast and able to cover large spaces, plus dominant aerially. Guehi has not played in teams with that style either for Palace or England. He has clearly played well in teams that are defensively set up, however when i've watched the occasional england game i've seen him make mistakes on the ball and not look particularly fast. Plus the obvious weakness in the air, which would be more exposed here as one of the ways teams try to get at us The problem we have is that its a very high bar for what we need in a centre back, which is possibly why we haven't been buying them as we are essentially looking for a unicorn. To answer the question, Bastoni would clearly be the level we would want. I actually think Quansah in 2 or 3 years if he develops well could be the right profile. I don't watch enough other football now to be able to say who else is out there