FairWooney

Agree with Gomes voters that he looked very good when he came on.
But i've gone Doucoure, the last few games without Allan I've noticed him a lot more.  He's making brilliant challenges to win the ball in dangerous positions then you see him up the other end looking to make something or get a chance at goal.  An immense players and really shown what an important signing he is.

Olsen
Coleman     Keane   Godfrey    Niels 
              Davies           Gomes
                        Bernard 
Gordon                  DCL            Richarlison 
I'd give James 30 minutes whatever the game situation (unless they are chopping us down all over the park!).
I toyed with Richarilson in the number 10 role but realistically he's not going to play there regularly so keep him on the left, Niels a natural attacking wing back would benefit him as well as he's missed having Digne there.
DCL needs goals and against a weaker side with the crossing of Niels (and hopefully Gordon) he should be able to get himself on the score sheet.  I'd take him off early second half if we're comfortable as he doesn't really need to be playing another 90 minutes.

Based on their games this season they don't create the least or concede the most shots in the league by any stretch but struggle for possession and if those weaknesses are anything to on I'd want to see Richarilson and DCL to be making to make some good runs...likely resulting in a penalty!
Rotherham have given away 6 goals from penalties this season so my money would be on Richarlison or DCL wining a penalty at some point.
They've also given away 7 goals from set pieces so we need to make the most of our good record at scoring from them!

Why did he not get a look in even on the bench this weekend?
Digne is out for 2-3 months and we have only 1 other natural left back, he's already impressed all be it against lower league sides mostly in the league cup but with no real competition for the spot surely this should be his chance.
If he doesn't play against Burnley who have created the least shots (and scored the least goals) so far this season then I'll really be wondering what he's done wrong!
I can kind of accept Leeds is a big challenge because of the way they dominate teams but given how Iwobi struggled in the position (no left foot!) I can't possibly see how he won't start.
If we stick with the 3 Centre backs he will also have some protection.  With his and Richarilson's pace down the left it should really give James players to aim for and plenty of interest for DCL in the box.

Why did he not get a look in even on the bench this weekend?
Digne is out for 2-3 months and we have only 1 other natural left back, he's already impressed all be it against lower league sides mostly in the league cup but with no real competition for the spot surely this should be his chance.
If he doesn't play against Burnley who have created the least shots (and scored the least goals) so far this season then I'll really be wondering what he's done wrong!
I can kind of accept Leeds is a big challenge because of the way they dominate teams but given how Iwobi struggled in the position (no left foot!) I can't possibly see how he won't start.
If we stick with the 3 Centre backs he will also have some protection.  With his and Richarilson's pace down the left it should really give James players to aim for and plenty of interest for DCL in the box.

He provided a lot more this week than against Fulham.
He is and will always be a luxury player to some extent.  If we had more possession I think he'd do a good job controlling attacks in the middle and we saw that in those early games.  When we don't have much of the ball he doesn't have as much involvement apart from to create chances on quick attacks.
In that sense he did pretty well:
3 shots (2 on target)
5 key passes
2 dribbles
Fouled 3 times
8 Crosses (though only 3 considered accurate - assume that includes corners/free kicks)
4 out of 7 successful long balls
He also had 46, more passes than anyone else in the team .
On the downside  he was disspossed 4 times.
He took that offside chance beautifully and also had a few decent bits of attacking involvement.
He won't charge around winning the ball back and making darting runs like Richarlison and we have to accept that.  
 
I've found as a team we've looked very flat recently, in early games Richarlison seemed to be making really good runs forward that James was picking out, We seems to look a bit short on that at the moment and the balls he's playing have been much more speculative in a lot of instances.

He provided a lot more this week than against Fulham.
He is and will always be a luxury player to some extent.  If we had more possession I think he'd do a good job controlling attacks in the middle and we saw that in those early games.  When we don't have much of the ball he doesn't have as much involvement apart from to create chances on quick attacks.
In that sense he did pretty well:
3 shots (2 on target)
5 key passes
2 dribbles
Fouled 3 times
8 Crosses (though only 3 considered accurate - assume that includes corners/free kicks)
4 out of 7 successful long balls
He also had 46, more passes than anyone else in the team .
On the downside  he was disspossed 4 times.
He took that offside chance beautifully and also had a few decent bits of attacking involvement.
He won't charge around winning the ball back and making darting runs like Richarlison and we have to accept that.  
 
I've found as a team we've looked very flat recently, in early games Richarlison seemed to be making really good runs forward that James was picking out, We seems to look a bit short on that at the moment and the balls he's playing have been much more speculative in a lot of instances.

He provided a lot more this week than against Fulham.
He is and will always be a luxury player to some extent.  If we had more possession I think he'd do a good job controlling attacks in the middle and we saw that in those early games.  When we don't have much of the ball he doesn't have as much involvement apart from to create chances on quick attacks.
In that sense he did pretty well:
3 shots (2 on target)
5 key passes
2 dribbles
Fouled 3 times
8 Crosses (though only 3 considered accurate - assume that includes corners/free kicks)
4 out of 7 successful long balls
He also had 46, more passes than anyone else in the team .
On the downside  he was disspossed 4 times.
He took that offside chance beautifully and also had a few decent bits of attacking involvement.
He won't charge around winning the ball back and making darting runs like Richarlison and we have to accept that.  
 
I've found as a team we've looked very flat recently, in early games Richarlison seemed to be making really good runs forward that James was picking out, We seems to look a bit short on that at the moment and the balls he's playing have been much more speculative in a lot of instances.

Why did he not get a look in even on the bench this weekend?
Digne is out for 2-3 months and we have only 1 other natural left back, he's already impressed all be it against lower league sides mostly in the league cup but with no real competition for the spot surely this should be his chance.
If he doesn't play against Burnley who have created the least shots (and scored the least goals) so far this season then I'll really be wondering what he's done wrong!
I can kind of accept Leeds is a big challenge because of the way they dominate teams but given how Iwobi struggled in the position (no left foot!) I can't possibly see how he won't start.
If we stick with the 3 Centre backs he will also have some protection.  With his and Richarilson's pace down the left it should really give James players to aim for and plenty of interest for DCL in the box.

He provided a lot more this week than against Fulham.
He is and will always be a luxury player to some extent.  If we had more possession I think he'd do a good job controlling attacks in the middle and we saw that in those early games.  When we don't have much of the ball he doesn't have as much involvement apart from to create chances on quick attacks.
In that sense he did pretty well:
3 shots (2 on target)
5 key passes
2 dribbles
Fouled 3 times
8 Crosses (though only 3 considered accurate - assume that includes corners/free kicks)
4 out of 7 successful long balls
He also had 46, more passes than anyone else in the team .
On the downside  he was disspossed 4 times.
He took that offside chance beautifully and also had a few decent bits of attacking involvement.
He won't charge around winning the ball back and making darting runs like Richarlison and we have to accept that.  
 
I've found as a team we've looked very flat recently, in early games Richarlison seemed to be making really good runs forward that James was picking out, We seems to look a bit short on that at the moment and the balls he's playing have been much more speculative in a lot of instances.

A few stand out performances I'd say.
Iwobi - really made his mark in this game looked a lot more decisive with the ball and did well getting the ball into dangerous spots a few times, always looked a threat in the first half and the run for our (2nd or 3rd?) was fantastic.  Second half he struggled to get forward like everyone but did his job defending well for the most part.  I'd definitely like to see him given another go n that role.
Digne - perhaps benefited from the 3 centre backs also as well as the quality of Richarilson in front of him but really attacked with a lot of freedom in the first half, such a good player and rarely wastes a chance when presented with space to put the ball across the box.
Doucoure - I wouldn't say I noticed him all the time but he did a hell of a lot, more passes than anyone, 6 interceptions, gets about everywhere and chipped in with a nice (if very unchallenged) headed goal.  Really saw the value in him here.
Allan - As usual Allan got about breaking everything up.  Though Fulham had a lot of the ball in the second half we generally held a solid line and the 2 in front of the defence contantly stopped much of any real threat happening.  
I've given it to DCL though, not just for the 2 goals which was his now usual quality 1 touch finish in the right place at the right time but for his link up play in the first half and his real lone forwards hold up in the second.  We did nothing going forward but he won us a few fouls, did his best with the scraps that we had and really lead the line well throughout.  He's really starting to show that he's the all round real deal up front.

I felt he's not done much in the last couple of games but think he really missed Richarilson.
The key to our success in those first 4 games was Richarlison making runs coming off the left wing and James often picking him out.  Even when he wasn't picking him out he was causing a lot of work for their defenders and helping to open things for others.
With no Richarilson no one really replaced that running.  the Sigurdson & Gomes game gave Rodridugez nothing while against Man Utd at least with Bernard and Digne working together there was something to aim at but nothing like the pacey runs that Richarilson gives.
It's pretty clear from these last 3 games how much we need him as we really struggle to produce the same performances without him in the team.  No one does a similar job really even to a a lower standard.  Gordon could hopefully do that at some point but isn't trusted with it at the moment.
Looking forward to seeing him back next week against a shite Fulham side with hopefully a more fit James.

Obviously Carlo doesn't see him as quite ready yet despite giving him a fair bit of game time at the end of last season.
This weekend I'd say he didn't make the squad because he'd rather see him get 90 minutes in an u23 game than sit on the bench for most of first team game.
I think his time will come, as someone mentioned a loan might be a great move for him.  Give him some regular first team experience in a championship side, against slightly easier opposition that just helps him develop a bit and be ready to step up and come back into the first team.

Thought this myself when I saw it on SSN earlier.

If we get into Champions League I don't see Richarlison leaving unless it was for Barca or Real.
He's got a great manager, a good young team who he will have seen heading in the right direction.
I would also say that if he was going to go he'd go but only if a team is willing to pay what we want for him which would be big big money.
If they won't pay it he won't go and I'm sure he'd get on with things (no doubt looking just as surly but working just as hard as ever!).
Dominic wouldn't be in a rush to leave, Ancelotti has done wonders for him (not forgetting Big Dunc as well) and he has a team that are feeding him chances.  He doesn't seem the type that would chase down the quick buck and glory of a "big side" just because they come knocking.
Plus we're keeping his mate Tom on board to keep him happy! 😃

If we get into Champions League I don't see Richarlison leaving unless it was for Barca or Real.
He's got a great manager, a good young team who he will have seen heading in the right direction.
I would also say that if he was going to go he'd go but only if a team is willing to pay what we want for him which would be big big money.
If they won't pay it he won't go and I'm sure he'd get on with things (no doubt looking just as surly but working just as hard as ever!).
Dominic wouldn't be in a rush to leave, Ancelotti has done wonders for him (not forgetting Big Dunc as well) and he has a team that are feeding him chances.  He doesn't seem the type that would chase down the quick buck and glory of a "big side" just because they come knocking.
Plus we're keeping his mate Tom on board to keep him happy! 😃

interesting one this.
I see Holgate and Keane as our first choice pairing when fit and happy with Mina as backup, clearly we need a 4th centre back but would have expected a loan or a backup type player to come in.
Would be interesting to see who Carlo would see as his first choice after signing Godfrey.
I felt Holgate really came on well last season and is also very good on the ball so would like to see him continue, Keane has improved a lot and has looked a lot more dependable.  Mina has been ok though I still wouldn't be happy if he was long term first choice.
With 30 premiership games last season he's not majorly inexperienced but I'd image would have to fight to get a start initially.

flicked through this, so we're in agreement Dom should be benched next week for Tosun and Sandro should be brought in as first option to come on?  😅
If we create enough chances that he can afford the odd miss while still scoring every week then we're doing a good job.  He'll only keep improving his finishing the more he bangs them in.
You only have to look at how many chances Salah and Mane have and miss to know that a good side doesn't need to score every chance to be successful.
I'd be more concerned about Richarlison's wasted chances than DCL but I'm sure he'll start putting them away again soon.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today!  (I didn't get to watch all of the second)
The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is  huge.  He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out.  Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him.  Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey.
When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come.
The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.

flicked through this, so we're in agreement Dom should be benched next week for Tosun and Sandro should be brought in as first option to come on?  😅
If we create enough chances that he can afford the odd miss while still scoring every week then we're doing a good job.  He'll only keep improving his finishing the more he bangs them in.
You only have to look at how many chances Salah and Mane have and miss to know that a good side doesn't need to score every chance to be successful.
I'd be more concerned about Richarlison's wasted chances than DCL but I'm sure he'll start putting them away again soon.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today!  (I didn't get to watch all of the second)
The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is  huge.  He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out.  Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him.  Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey.
When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come.
The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today!  (I didn't get to watch all of the second)
The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is  huge.  He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out.  Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him.  Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey.
When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come.
The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.

flicked through this, so we're in agreement Dom should be benched next week for Tosun and Sandro should be brought in as first option to come on?  😅
If we create enough chances that he can afford the odd miss while still scoring every week then we're doing a good job.  He'll only keep improving his finishing the more he bangs them in.
You only have to look at how many chances Salah and Mane have and miss to know that a good side doesn't need to score every chance to be successful.
I'd be more concerned about Richarlison's wasted chances than DCL but I'm sure he'll start putting them away again soon.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today!  (I didn't get to watch all of the second)
The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is  huge.  He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out.  Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him.  Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey.
When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come.
The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.

flicked through this, so we're in agreement Dom should be benched next week for Tosun and Sandro should be brought in as first option to come on?  😅
If we create enough chances that he can afford the odd miss while still scoring every week then we're doing a good job.  He'll only keep improving his finishing the more he bangs them in.
You only have to look at how many chances Salah and Mane have and miss to know that a good side doesn't need to score every chance to be successful.
I'd be more concerned about Richarlison's wasted chances than DCL but I'm sure he'll start putting them away again soon.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today!  (I didn't get to watch all of the second)
The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is  huge.  He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out.  Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him.  Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey.
When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come.
The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.