@D.G.C. They fear getting hammered?..that's why most lesser teams do that against us. We've been trying to deal with 'Busparquet' for a very long time now. Don't seem to have quite cracked it...sometimes it pays...Sometimes it doesnt. I'm impressed with our resilience all things considered thus far this season.
Maybe your lot shouldn't spend so much on players who aren't good enough then, even if Mino Raiola says he'll give you the regular customer discount
Got soaked yesterday. Went to that new boxpark that just opened the other week. Decent place but crazily expensive. As for the game, was as ****e as they come thanks to Burnley playing a 9-1-0 formation. The anti-football was a joke and the time wasting was even worse. Credit to the ref who - in the end! - finally started booking them for it but it should’ve happened a lot sooner than the 60th (I think) minute. Thought Davies had a cracking game at CB. Dealt with everything with ease. Was good and surprising to see Skipp start, didn’t do much wrong but played a very simple game which you expect from a newbie. Thought Llorente really changed the game. Amazing what happens when you play to his strengths and knock it long. Such a shame we haven’t utilised like that for most of his 18 months, showed how he can be such an asset when used correctly. Credit to the lads for not giving up, really was looking like one of those games, nice finish from Eriksen.
Why has he not signed a new contract yet? I fear he may be the asset we sell in order to give Poch a 'war chest' Levy style
Spot on. We really have failed to get anything approaching the best out of Llorente. In and around the box, he attracts defenders to him and is so big and strong. Outside the box, playing to his feet is a complete waste of time. I'll be royally pissed off if we sell him now. Is it coincidence that this season we've suddenly started to get the best out of Moussa Sissoko and something useful out of Fernando Llorente? I'm not sure that it is. The lack of signings has meant that MP's had to go deep into his squad and get what's best of them onto the pitch. It's a shame that it's taken this long, as I'm still of the opinion that Vinnie could have been a success, if we'd not expected him to play like HK. It's a sign that MP's still learning what it takes to be a top manager. Earlier substitutions next, please...
Morning, DH Nope...... the coward started ‘warning’ Burnley players about time wasting from the half hour and only finally did something when it became too embarrassing NOT to. And even then the worst offender, Hart was allowed to go on his merry way. But as for your comments on Ben and Nando 100%
Who? Eriksen? If so, I’ve said he’s the most important player in the squad, we have to pay whatever he wants, if it’s parity with Kane then give him it, he deserves it.
Yeah you’re about Hart. Was disgusting, ironic that after we scored and Burnley had a goal kick he suddenly turned into sonic the hedgehog. As for the ref. You’re probably right again, although I’ve seen plenty of times where refs still don’t book and so the fact he did finally book two of them somewhat partly redeemed himself.
Yeah definitely. We all know Poch as well as the squad is still a work in progress. It’s nice to see that in Llorente’s last few appearances (albeit few and far between) we have actually started utilising his aerial strength. I was so excited when we signed him as I thought it was a top class backup to Harry and someone who had different attributes. His CV speaks for itself and would have 95% of Europe’s players envious, there’s no way he’s a bad player, just a player who’s been criminally mis-used. He could still play a big part in this season if used correctly.
Same. I’ve said for a couple years I’ve been worried that Barca may see him as Rakitic’s/ Iniesta’s heir, Real may also see him as Modric’s. Just can not afford to lose him, even for an astronomical fee, he’s the bit that makes us tick. Best player at the club for me.
A few years ago I would have debated the point about his importance but now there's no question..he is the brains. More consistency with dead balls and he could be the best ACM out there. Don't think he's got the bite in his tackle to be like the 2 Croats. However...he doesn't need that when we have Beast man on the pitch.
I've often thought he's been our best for years to be honest, even when he's suffered dips in form (those dips highlighted how important he was as when he was **** so were the whole team). Just such a classy player with unreal technique and vision. He's already one of the best AMs in the world, and like you say, could potentially be the best with a bit of tweaking.
Eric Dier wasn't just a bit off colour...appendix removed, out for a month, I'd guess! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46584644
Job done yesterday, but I think that Pochettino made a mistake with Moura playing on the left, again. He's just not useful in that position, especially against a side like Burnley, who are going to sit back and not leave space behind them. They were really well organised defensively and we had virtually no width throughout. The positives are that we won, kept a clean sheet, got a decent debut start from Skipp and didn't stop until we got the breakthrough. Davies also had a comfortable game at centre-half, albeit one in which he was rarely tested. Negatives? More missing players and a lot of energy expended against a side having a poor season.
Watching the highlights again and a few things stand out (other than the feckin’ timewasting etc etc) 1. Moussa probably made the correct call to pass / cross in 2 out of 3 of the occasions. In fact the ball he played for Lamela was a peach, if a bit bit strong. 2. On that note, there were a few occasions in the first half when we played what appeared to be ‘overhit’ passes to feet. Wondering whether there was more surface water when they were warming up and they carried that thought8nto the match? 3. Not sure if it’s just the perception he gives, but Lamela appears to complain towards his teammates far too often, when it’s often his mistake. Too much waving his arms and whingeing for me. Focus on your own game, laddie! But back on the subject of timewasting...... HTF didn’t Tarkowski get booked for booting the ball into the stands several seconds after the whistle went for offside against Mouss. Ref even spoke to him about it but did nothing...... clearest yellow card all day - and that was after Burnley were put on notice in the first half.
Just what we didn’t need..... 4 weeks probably about right, although providing there were no complications or ruptures it’s a much simpler op these days and less intrusive to the stomach muscles. If keyhole surgery then he may be back sooner - but knowing our history of returning players......
