I was surprised at how young the entire Arsenal squad are, just the three goal scorers; Martenelli, Saka and Smith Rowe they are miles ahead of any of our players. I think the success of our U23s under Bielsa has given me a false sense of how far away they probably are to being ready and I question will they ever be? If you’re not good enough at 20/21 how much longer do you give it? They need going out on loan but of course, injuries and small squad size dictate otherwise
Aren't our youngsters supposedly the cream of the crop, well you get that impression when we sign them, loads of others seemingly after them as well as us, but you look at other teams and as of yesterday the difference in class was apparent. They might be top six sides but 14 goals in 3(could have been more) with Scouse and villa upcoming doesn't bode well....say what you like it's looking grim
I think we big them up more when we sign them. I find it strange that an under 21 year old would sign for us for £1m over the likes of City, Liverpool and Arsenal, it’s just blowing smoke up your arse to justify spending a million on an U23 when we’re crying out for first teamers. I think it’s also forward planning in case we do drop down. Imagine we did get relegated, Phillips, Llorente, Raphinha and Bamford would all be sold off or ask to leave. We’d be building a squad around a backbone of Struijk, Summerville, Cresswell and Gelhardt
I’m probably in the minority that quite like souness. Irrespective of the fact that he was a fckg good footballer, I think he generally speaks his mind. He raved over us last year… and tore shreds off us last night. Can’t see much to argue with on either count. As for Dramah. It’s forgivable in the sense of rabbit in headlights stuff very early in your career, big match. It’s also muddled by the whole bielsaball man marking system and expectation of fullbacks to bomb forward. That’s the best defence for him, but souness is right, age isn’t really an excuse for something so basic. You’d be p*ssed at your u9 full back not checking that their striker was unmarked before jogging forward. When our fans clamour for the 23s to be given a chance and bielsa tries to shelter them from responsibility…. Maybe a 20 year getting thrown to the wolves on national television isn’t the best career development after all? Let’s hope he isn’t scarred by it and comes back to prove people wrong. Probably of more concern though is similar schoolboy errors made by our senior pros.
the difference in class is a bit exaggerated by the opposition. Our lot would look better playing against us! However, no club ever signs anyone without fighting off a host of other suiters . Reality is there’s a pecking order. If we get them it means a ‘big 6’ club didn’t want them - or occasionally that those clubs are loaded in that position. Occasionally the lure of potential first team football makes a difference but truth is the 23s is no different to first team in that respect. whenever we get a signing it’s the lure of bielsa, sleeping giant etc. same rehearsed guff trotted out. Take Robin Koch. 23 year old German international. Signed because of orta’s relentless persuit apparently, seeing off the competition. Bayern want him? Dortmund want him? Any other premier league teams want him? We get him for 12m. That’s not a price driven up by competition for an international defender is it?
And rads would be sitting pretty counting his millions and the fans would be left to pick up the pieces once again.
I fully expect that the value of LUFC to the SF owners is predicated on us staying up. There'll be clauses in the contract about the value of the club or what percentage the SF owners get for their money. If Radz is in it for the money, he needs us in he PL.
Haven’t read the thread so could’ve already been mentioned but last night showed u23s aren’t ready but at least they’ve been put in and people can stop moaning about them not getting games, nowhere near good enough. Bielsa watches them everyday so not sure why people doubted what he saw. Also, seen a lot moaning on Twitter about how Bielsa sets up, nothing to do with that why we’re losing so heavily, it’s due to stupid mistakes and errors. Bielsa can’t mitigate for how ridiculous our players are being atm, shocking. Any other manager and we’d be bottom with this squad.
Not surprising, our passing has been so poor the last few games. They are meant to be professional footballers and they can’t even pass. Honestly we’re causing our own problems and I don’t see how Bielsa sorts it out because he can’t solve our problems when it’s always stupid mistakes. Pretty much every goal we’ve conceded in the last few games have been mistakes apart from the De Bruyne worldy but even then he should’ve been pressed more.
Good morning all Can i just say to anyone who thinks this will all go away when we have (if ever) a fit squad, needs to think again, because as much as it pains me to say we are one of the weakest three sides in the pl. Liverpool up next 4,5,6,7 or more i wouldn't bet against the last or more bit their either. we are playing like some of our poor teams from the past. i am so depressed about my beloved Leeds atm.
I've said the same thing since pre season that our crisp one twos weren't coming off and we just aren't the same side as last season. I still think the biggest games we need to pick up point are against the likes of Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley.
It's always been like this Southern. When everything seems to be going for us and we're having a bit of success, there is always that thing in my head that's telling me there is pain coming down the line.
