We have the chance to go to the top of the table briefly if we beat West Ham at home. Liverpool has to play Chelsea later today, so that might just be brief but you never know. Liverpool has some tough games to play in Premier League, Chelsea today, United next and Brentford, Aston Villa and Man City in their subsequent 3 games. We have some easy games coming up and we need to make the most out of it.
And we need to start today against the hammers. West Ham sacked Graham Potter a week back to bring in Nuno Espirito Santo. Nuno is tough nut, and he would set up a low block, counter attacking team against us – exactly what we don’t like. We would need lots of creativity from the midfield and some brilliant defending on the counters to win today. The fact that they beat us in both of their previous visits to Emirates has not been motivating and we need to break that curse.
In the team news, Hincapie, Madueke, Havertz are still unavailabile and Gabriel remains a doubt after coming off in 75th minute against Olympiacos in Champions League. With all other players available, I am expecting to see a back 4 of Timber, Mosquera, Saliba and Calafiori with Raya in the goal. I would love a midfield of Odegaard, Rice/Zubimendi, Eze but we all know it’s not going to happen, Arteta sees Modric in Merino and you don’t sit the likes of Modric on bench. A front 3 of Saka, Gyokeres and Martinelli would for me.
Listen, I know Martinelli was in bad form and his output has dropped and Trossard has some brilliant shots in him once in a while but, can you write me a note that you believe Trossard can win you games on his own? Like Martinelli did against Man City in 93rd minute (it was a draw, not a win exactly), and against Athletic Club when we were devoid of any ideas? Yeah, right; lets play the match winner and rebuild his confidence. Trossard is a menace against tired legs so he will get plenty of his minutes and he can contribute to our wins that way.
There’s another problem for Mikel and a good one. Declan Rice has been warming bench recently, and we would slowly see Eze starting over him/Merino. To have a 100m and 65m player fight for a single place is something every manager would dream in Premier League. I think who starts the game depends totally on the opposition. If it’s a team that’s going to attack (City, Liverpool, Brighton etc) you play Zubimendi and support your defence. When there’s a low block, going all out on attack is the only way you are going to win and Declan Rice is brilliant moving forward with the ball.
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We are not in best of our form yet, partially due to the injuries to Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli and a CF who is still 5 games in the season with these blokes. Even with some tough games initially, we have managed to keep ourselves around Liverpool and can overtake them today. We have a perfect record in Champions League so far, only 1 loss in Premier League while Carabao Cup is still to pick up the pace. We are in a very good situation, and the only thing that needs improvement is the quality of football. Put in Eze in the starting line up with Odegaard on the other side, let go of some of the defensive duties Gyokeres is assigned and you will see the quality improving massively.
Will that be today? We will know in couple of hours. See you during the game.
if Paqueta wasn’t such a weaselly fuck, he would be a nice addition, from a creativity standpoint…the fact that no big side has plucked him away speaks to his character issues
I don’t care that Saka skied that one, we need to take those shots on whenever the opportunity arises
we should be up by several goals by now…if we can get a second I’m sure a 3rd and 4th would come shortly thereafter, as they would have to open things up a bit
this side is so nonthreatening that Gabs is playing like a wingback now
the law firm of Potts & Marshall have come to save the day…good fucking luck
we need to be squarely in the top spot by Xmas, as you just know Pool will do some defensive shopping in January…until either Wirtz finds a way to shrug off opposing defences, who are oft-times doubling him, or Slot finds a way to free him up tactically, they won’t maximize their frontside talent…Slot might have to deploy both Hugo and Isak together and hope that Kerkez can handle the rigours of providing width on the left, which would be a difficult ask
not sure that was inside the box but an excellent take by Saka nonetheless
VG needs to find a way to score against sides like this or he’ll find himself behind behind our fluffing German when he returns, which would be a real shame
thankfully Tross not Eze came out…unfortunately it means Eze once again defers to Rice’s AM assurances and switches out wide
scratch one of those “behinds”. so to speak
I knew Merino was going to find his way into this match one way or another…like Marts coming in but why can’t we see how we play with two AMs more fucking often…if not against this side, then who???
to be fair, he should have scored couple today.
who?
Gyokeres.
Guys, we have a new logo and a new LONDON IS RED banner, for celebrating our brief rise to the top – thanks to AI and as computer science engineer, I fear for my future lol
Hammers weird half man half zonal corner coverage is absolute shite…I’m happy that MA didn’t go full blunt instrument today knowing how poor they’ve been against set pieces
I already miss the old logo…no need to worry Ambarish if that’s what AI brings to the table
VG has got to learn when to tone down the whole bull in a china shop act…I think it’s affecting him in front of goal…more skill and less piss and vinegar would be nice on occasion
Nuno must have been given a long leash and promises about future investment, as this union makes no sense stylistically
comfortable victory but should have been a rout from a scoreline perspective
haha, it will only improve trvl.
game over, 2-0. A big win, and the pressure is now on the liverpool to catch up to the leaders.