Playing Arsenal tomorrow at 3pm. Ritchie and Shelvey back in the match day squad so will be interesting to see who starts although Rondon and Yedlin are at risk of missing out due to late returns from international duty. Any of this 5 at the back BS again and I'll be fuming. Arsenal's weak link is the defense so we need to get at them. My line up: Dubruvka, Yedlin, Lacselles, Schar, Dummett, Shlevey, Diame, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, Rondon Subs: Darlow, Fernandez, Manquillo, Ki, Murphy, Longstaff, Joselu 2-2 draw for me if we get at them and attack, sit back and try and hold off Arsenal and we will lose.
Whilst I like the theory of 3 at the back - we're well stocked with three competent CB's, plus Dummett/Clark who are both left footers - we're a bit weak in attack so can't make the most of it. My 'play with a bit of freedom' XI (3-5-2): Dubs; Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett; Yedders, Shelvey, Diame, Longstaff, Kenedy; Perez, Rondon. The 'do exactly as I say' Rafa XI (4-2-3-1): Dubs; Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy; Joselu.
I take it Mike wont stump up the cash for a private jet for our American players like Liverpool and Man City do.
We can't compete with the likes of Man City and Liverpool. Can't and won't! They are still making their way back across the Atlantic on a deep sea fishing boat.
Likelihood is we will get beat. Can get something if we are playing at a high tempo. That is what we do when we do well and we just have to hope we can produce a bit of quality and get a goal or two. I think we'll revert to 4 at the back.
Looking forward to this one, I just hope we are more attack minded. Usually have a good bit craic with Arsenal fans at the Union Rooms.
I've just found an old tin of 3 in1 oil in the garage. If that doesn't signify a 3-1 Toon win then nothing will. I've also found some Rondon washers, Kenedy screws and Ritchie bolts so I'm off to the bookies.
****ing hell, can we get entry to the training 'cos I'd love to know how Diame/Hayden in the middle is anything other than complete turd.
All we can assume is that Rafa has sussed Ki is ****e now and Shelvey isn't fully fit. Oh and we can't possibly play a very promising youngster like Lobby
Last bit I just don't understand. "Dear Sean, we've refused loan offers because you need to be part of the first team setup. Except you're behind Ki and then Hayden, who we couldn't even give away in the Summer".
