Chelmofox

Utter, utter crap. When he joined we were rock bottom with 1 point. He didn't improve us - but relegation was not his fault. The rot had set in. For 2 PL seasons teams have been able to cut through our midfield like butter and defenders are under the cosh, and even now our midfield looks like a girl guides 2nd 11 could bully it. We bought him on the cheap, and he plays like a player who cost as much as we paid.

Depends if the plan is for an x year plan via the academy. In that case i would argue that Fatawu would be the only one we should keep for now. If we want to go up this season, you need to keep all 3.

This one would sting a little. I always knew he had potential and feel like we gave him the sort of chances we aren't giving to the academy players to prove himself. Another hard reality is that, as good as he is, his output isn't good enough. He should have bagged one yesterday and didnt score enough last season. We could easily have benched him and played Facundo more who in the early part of the season had great output. I know it doesn't work this way, but part of me thinks he owes us this season.

Isn't this how Ruud was playing him when it was Soumare and Ndidi in the Pivot?

What songs do you sing from the lounge?

#realfans

He flaps his arms about when goals go in. Actually feel there is a slightly physiological thing going on with being Fofana's replacement. Fofana represented us going for the big time - trying to get top 4 and Champions League. Faes cost a fraction of Fofana, and although he has played far more games for us and barely been injured, he represents a different version of the club. I still think people forget he is a cheap center back.

Bugger.

Excatly. I have seen players about as good as him in the PL who cost far more. As much as a tosser he comes across, they guy is physical, puts in effort and barely has any time off injured. He has big decision making issues, but is actually a good blocker of the ball and fast coming forward. We could have far worse for what we paid.

This makes no sense. For him to increase in value he would have to sign a new deal with is as he is contracted to then end of the season. I dont see that happening.

Fans want Pashun. Fans want to give it, but dont like it when i comes back. I think the guy is arrogant but i do feel we forget he's a cheap defender. We often talk about him like he cost us £40m.

It was one of the weirdest displays from a keeper i had ever seen. Even in the warm up they had a fat bloke kicking balls at him close and so hard - it was hilarious and ive never seen a warm up like it. It was like they found a bloke from the pub who could hit it hard. The coach looked like he genuinely wanted to hurt him. He made a few brilliant saves, and then looked dodgy as ***k. His kicking was the worst i think i had ever seen and he spent most of the game looking like he was having a mental breakdown. I still dont know how we didnt put 4 past him.

It surprises me everyone attributes the change to winks / skipp as well. In the first half Bilal spent a lot of the game at left back, we didnt really press and Jannik was holding on to the ball far too long, playing as he did under Maresca. A lot changed in the 2nd half. Jannik played much better and released the ball much earlier.

How did you take a screen shot? My phone says the wallet app does not support screen shots.

Yes - until the U21's aren't good enough and then obligatory academy bashing will start, saying they are League 2 player, L1 at 'best'.

Ended up getting my boy a cheap phone. NFC worked on all of hours no issues.

No way should Monga be starting over Mavi in the season opener. But, as the season goes on, he will get starts. Monga was fantastic when he came on and significantly better than his showing against Fiorentina. I am confident Nelson will feature more and more, and have a hunch Faes is likely off anyway. Page isn't at the level yet. But I do think he will nudge his way in or get a loan. Alves will feature more if we trim the squad. Expect him to start the cup game. Aluko i am sure will feature more. But hes not ready yet. IMO Evans didnt look the level in pre season and i dont see how anyone can complain he hasn't made the 1st team squad today. I think he is a year behind Monga. I get it but management is hard. Its a long season with potential cup runs. As things settle down and we potentially get a few more outgoings i think we will see one or two more come through, but i dont think its worth bashing on day one. I also think its harsh to say 'its pretty grim'. The best way to manage the youngsters is to give them the best chance of succeeding and growing. Lets judge Marti on this by Christmas, not 10th August.

+1. Sat there burning up in H1 today after a stomach bug this week, and then just to make everything better i get hit with the heat from flame throwers in 27 degree sunshine. These things add nothing to the atmosphere unless its less than 5 degrees and a night game.

Starting line up will be very telling today. Its a slightly difficult game for Marti, as the expectations are that we are going to thump the wounded soldiers, but i imagine Marti would rather start and cement in his favoured 11. But i think that best 11 might not be the best against a team thats likely going to sit very deep and try their luck on the counter. Originally i felt the front three should be Fats, Ayew and Mavi. Thinking about it, Mavi struggles with deep block and Monga has the skills to break them down. I'd start Monga because i think his skill could be too much for then, especially with Fatawu and Bilal sniffing around the attacks as well. Bring Mavi on when they are knackered. However, if we were playing a better side I would start Mavi So today, id start: Stolly Hamza Okoli Nelson Thomas (or JJ if fit) Winks Skipp (i think he goes Bouba though) Bilal Fats Ayew Monga Bring Mavi on in the 60th minute so we have a bit of time with him and Fatawu, but Abdul will need Rotating So Kasey likely comes on around 75th minute. I do think we will see one of Jannik or Faes start though as i think he will likely want to opt for experience. I don't like Jannik, but he seemed to have a specific leadership role against Fiorentina and putting his limitations to one side i think he did that job well. So i think he will do this: Stolly Hamza Okoli Jannik Thomas (or JJ if fit) Skipp Bouba Bilal Fats Ayew Mavi Either way, im not losing my shit on starting Bouba or Jannik yet(!).

And on the whole he was good against Fiorentina. Lets not start knocking the manager for working out his team. If Soumare continues to be hit and miss - then i expect Marti to deal with that.

Hopefully this means Bilal can stay

It must have been part of the deal, or to put pressure on.

Think the price is fair. Its profit.

Coady gonna have to get a niggling injury and back on podcast duty soon. Slow as fk. It was a good free kick, but Ward positioning in free kicks is always terrible. He invites the taker with a lot of space - it happened many times for us. Won't be long before Ward is back to 2nd choice and tea duty.

The big mistakes are coming. That was nearly it, and he even stared at the ball so the moment could have become a meme.