kingfox

If the idea is to stick with the same formula we’ve been seeing over the past few games, then four positions are a clear priority. RB - Justin has been used as the higher pushing full-back recently. We desperately need a RB who is successful in attacking areas, dynamic and capable of taking players on. Doing some statistical number crunching, Wesley Franca(Flamengo), Pablo Maffeo(Mallorca) and Zakaria El Ouahdi(Genk) would be my top three choices. LB - Even though Kristiansen pushed up a little more in the second half today, it’s been clear that he has been the more reserved full-back in recent games, of course forming into a back three when in possession. The jury is still out on Kristiansen but regardless, it feels like we must get a better alternative in this position, this why signing someone like Valentin Gomez makes sense. CB - We can’t afford to persist with Coady and Vestergaard on a regular basis, it surely has to be one or the other. Hopefully we can find a Huth style solution, someone preferably with pace though. LW - Of course there’s been calls for a RW, but the way we’ve been setting up, an alternative to Mavididi on the left feels more crucial now. Quite simply we need another 1 vs 1 specialist with pace. There’s a few up-and-coming wingers that I wouldn’t mind, but Nicola Zalewski who is out of contract at Roma in the summer would make perfect sense, he could also be cover for Kristiansen. Another striker and central midfielder would also be nice, but the above four positions seem the most crucial for strengthening in January 👍🏻

As I hoped when we signed him, he’s starting to show that he’s a £40-50 million player in the making.

Buonanotte produced the most duels(15) and tackles(5) of any player on the pitch today. El Khannouss not far behind him with 13 duels and 3 tackles. They must start together every week.

Encouraging going forward, El Khannouss was excellent. But yet again, the odd defence lap here and there costs us again, three defenders needed in January.

Will Alves @Ric Flair has just orgasmed.

And that’s exactly why we need new full-backs.

If we don’t get anything from this game then I’ll genuinely cry.

Man City are clearly there for the taking. Some of our patterns of play through midfield have been excellent, Winks & El Khannouss the two standouts so far imo.

El Khannouss impressing again

Not the type of signing to get enamoured by, but in all fairness to him, he’s been pretty decent for Marseille at times, I saw him produce plenty of solid enough performances for them last season. As for this season, he ended up getting suspended in pre season for a training ground incident, and De Zerbi has pretty much froze him out ever since.

Heta with a nine darter 🔥

Dear Martyn Glover… https://www.thecopaclub.co.uk/post/wesley-frança-flamengo-s-flying-full-back-eyeing-up-europe

As @moore_94 has posted, El Ouahdi is someone I also mentioned a few weeks back, he’s arguably been the standout right-back in Belgium this season, if you want a purposeful attacking right-back his numbers are extremely solid. For successful attacking actions, he ranks 3rd for right-backs in the Jupiler. Elsewhere I’d be tempted to look at Joao Mario’s situation at Porto, Martim Fernandes seems very much their first choice RB nowadays. Pablo Maffeo of Mallorca would be my other shout. Currently averaging just over 4 successful attacking actions per90, the best of any RB in La Liga. Also ranks highly amongst right-backs for cross accuracy 55% and successful dribbles 63%.

I will spare judgement on him until after the January transfer window. They’ll be plenty of fans frustrated with what they are seeing, but RVN has his hands tied when it comes to certain areas. I’d love to see Justin get dropped, but the only alternative is an out of position Hamza Choudhury - Not ideal. Our alternatives to Coady, Vestergaard and Kristiansen are Faes, Okoli and Thomas - Not ideal. Our alternatives to Mavididi and Ayew are the likes of Reid and McAteer - Not ideal. Our alternative to Daka tonight was Edouard - Not ideal. It doesn’t matter who the manager is, at the end of the day, we currently have the squad depth of a Championship standard team.

Yep. Some fans will moan that we lack attacking threat, but what do you expect when Mavididi slows down attacks and the other options are a bunch of snails. Signing both Ayew and Reid got criticised for a reason, yet more idiotic recruitment by Leicester City.

Two simple weak points as per usual. Poor defenders and a lack of pace in the wide areas. Roll on January.

Focusing on a positive, El Khannouss’s work rate was exceptional in that half.

Ayew is comedy gold. What a guy.

Buonanotte’s bang average performance against West Ham has turned Ruud right off, nevertheless excluding him from the starting 11 has been bizarre. As for the defence, no point moaning regarding selection, our alternatives are just as crap.

A new video of him

The guy dressed as the gingerbread man was a hell of a distraction when watching yesterday

Have watched Darts since the Lakeside days of late 90’s/early 00’s, the Sport nowadays has never been better, I’ve said it in numerous Darts threads over the past few years, the depth nowadays in the PDC is ridiculous.

Darts delivers again. Glad that went down to the final leg, that was great entertainment.

I’d also take a look at Israel Reyes(RB/RCB) - Club America 👍🏻