Martinus

I’ve never quite understood the argument that a player isn’t suited to a particular league. It often seems to come down to assumptions about physicality being too demanding. But take Wirtz, for example, he’s taller and heavier than David Silva was, so it’s clearly not just about size. The real issue, which I do agree with, is more about mentality and the willingness to engage physically. That’s not a limitation, it’s a choice. And it’s one that can be developed with the right mindset and coaching.

Gakpo had been one of the better players and right now he is the least of the problems. Having said that last season he was more of a rotational player (right role) than a must have starter (current role) Rio isn't ready to be the alternative.

Yes, Bradley and Kerkez have generally been poor this season, but both have previously performed at much higher levels than they're currently showing. My main concern is their overall standard, especially when you compare them to backup full-backs at other top clubs. For example, Arsenal have White and Lewis-Skelly as backups, and both are currently outperforming ours. (Though i don't know if White has regressed due to injuries.)

I don't think Frimpong has really had a chance yet because of the injuries. I personally think he only really makes sense though if we are planning to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation though like at Leverkusen.

It was awful, no doubt. I'm not suggesting the problems stem from just one example, but it's part of a wider issue: Slot doesn't seem to know what his best eleven is. Logically, you'd expect the most in-form players to be starting, and right now, Ekitike looks like the more sensible choice. Playing your best-performing players should be a basic principle, especially when results are suffering.

It is. Sending him on loan isn't blocking anything it's aiding his development. Gakpo was great being a squad option but we need better than him starting games.

He clearly isn't but then that's part of the problem he's chosen Isak ahead of Ekitike. E.g. United game.

I think Frimpong was opportunistic because he had a release clause. I suspect the belief was he'd be a backup to Bradley at RB and cover for Salah (Afcon) someone to bring on with 20 mins to go with his pace etc. The mistake was thinking Bradley was Trent's replacement.

I can only speak for myself, but I haven’t turned on Slot. I’m just struggling to see how he gets out of this situation. We won the league comfortably last season, and while some changes were necessary—and some forced upon us. The club responded by backing him heavily. We've broken our transfer record twice and spent more than ever before. Naturally, some transition was expected, but I genuinely believed we’d be in contention to win the league again. While that’s never guaranteed, given the strength of our squad compared to others, finishing second should have been a realistic minimum. We still might, but right now, I doubt we’ll even make the top four, and that’s simply unacceptable. We haven’t played well since the Fulham game last season. Teams have figured us out, and Slot himself has acknowledged that. More worryingly, he’s publicly admitted he doesn’t know how to fix it, and in doing so, he’s effectively handed other clubs a blueprint for how to get a result against us. We all want this to turn around, but right now, there appear to be no positives to build on.

Yep not unless they go the rest of the season unbeaten and that still might not be enough.

Yep Kerkez hasn't been great so far but he did perform at a much higher level last season. No guarantee he will make it with us but he's playing at a higher level that Robertson was at 21.

Spurs are currently a good example of what a difference a well coached team makes. Appalling defensively under Ange and huge improvement so far under Frank with the exact same defenders.

After GW5 we were 5 points ahead of Arsenal now we are 7 points behind.

Given the Saudis are desperate for Mo I wonder how much they would pay for him in January?

For me, it's a sign that something promising is beginning to take shape—a clear system is emerging, and we're starting to consistently control and dominate matches. It's the kind of progress that builds confidence and lays the foundation for long-term success. it's so early in the season that if that suddenly clicks we can still be in with an outside chance. If not then by the new year we should be looking to be making the change.

But yesterday only 3 new signings started. Kerkez, Wirtz and Ekitike. I genuinely don't think the result or performance would have been any different had Robertson and Mac Allister started for example.

Yep that should never be the ambition of this club.

We've lost two strikers, so I understand the decision to bring in both Ekitike and Isak. The issue is that when fit, both should be starting—so unless we're planning to use a system that accommodates them in their best positions, it might have made more sense to sign just one of them, alongside a clear squad option. I also agree that we should have signed a pacey winger to replace Diaz. That gap still needs addressing in January, and Rio should be sent out on loan to aid his development.

I think Guehi with a new RB and LB dramatically change our fortunes. I just don't think we will make those signings in January.

We probably need at least 2 probably 3 new CB signings alone in the next 12 months.

We have a stronger squad than almost every other team in the league, yet the current approach isn't playing to our strengths. Slot continues to push a style that doesn't align with the way he wants the team to perform. Either the formation or the tactics need to change. Personally, I'd prefer we start by focusing on defensive solidity—sitting deeper, keeping the fullbacks from pushing too high, and avoiding playing out from the back when we simply don't have the personnel to execute it effectively.

We can't afford to let this decline continue unchecked. We've suffered four consecutive league defeats against teams with clearly weaker squads—and each loss was fully deserved. The manager has openly admitted he doesn't know how to fix it, and there's no evidence of a plan to turn things around.

No one is denying his impact creatively from deep just pointing out a few points that 1) other clubs don't have a Trent and cope. 2) we didn't suffer last season in the same way we are this season when Trent didn't play. 3) Our captain has publicly said Trent not being at the club is not the problem. Frimpong I don't think was ever Trent's replacement. The plan I believe was for Bradley to kick on (hasn't happened) and Guehi to provide the ball progression from deep. We were never going to replace Trent like for like as he's a unique player. We do need to be signing a proper RB in January as well as Guehi.

Meaning his absence didn't impact results or particularly performances. Certainly nothing like we are seeing this season. Huijsen and then Guehi were those players but the club f***ed up with Guehi.

It's a shame that Frimpong is injured as I'd genuinely give 3-4-1-2 a go. Gomez as the third CB. The system also masks the weaknesses at full back. Wirtz in a system he's used to and Isak and Ekitike up top.