Bailey

Villa 1 - 1 Everton

Doucoure

No doubt they will play the better football and try and control possession but we can get at them on the transition, especially off Torres. Doucoure could have a massive game on the break again.

I said this about him on the Branthwaite thread when I was watching through some of their games:

"That Xavi Simons fella is a real player though and Bakayoko can definitely beat a man and could easily play in this league if he can work on his end product."

He looks like he might be a bit of a rough diamond that could do well in the right team.

5 hours ago, Hafnia said:

I want ex pros to be refs. Till that happens I’ll never be satisfied 

I partly agree with you but you only need to listen to some of the crap they come out with on TV to know that isn't a foolproof idea either!

On 08/08/2023 at 18:28, Matt said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66440335

Can't believe I'm praising Italian politics and financial approach, but good on them!

I feel like it will probably have a long term negative impact on the country. 

The banks will probably be less likely to lend, making it harder and more expensuve for individuals and businesses to do so. Shortage of investment can lead to job losses across a number of sectors.

It will likely ward off banking investments in Italy, because why would they. Such a drastic measure, which is likely to cost the industry billions (that had only just got back on its feet after long term struggles), will also then raise concerns to other industries looking to invest in Italy about whether they can trust the Italian government.

I can imagine a few pension pots have been hit too.

It is a reactionary political and populist move which is nothing more than an attempt to keep them in power and not a long-term economic strategy in the best interests of the country as a whole. I would also love to see what the average man and woman will actually see from this as I suspect they will only be poorer for it.

6 hours ago, Hafnia said:

I don’t actually think gray is quicker or more technical. 
 

looked at Harrison a bit on videos now,  his first touch is better than anyone in our side.  Better crosser, can go either side on his dribbles with either foot so a defender can’t show him one way and feel that there is an advantage. 
 

deceptively quick and excellent close control. I’d say gray looks a better finisher maybe but with that said gray used to waste an awful lot.   He’s a big upgrade for me. 

 

I doubt that would be many quicker than Gray over short distances, I don't see that in Harrison personally, not that I am saying he is a slouch.

Gray is one of the quickest dribblers at speed but he just runs into trouble and then hold on to it for too long.

The point is that Harrison is a far better decision maker and an upgrade on what we have, which is something I think we can both agree on!

A player like Harrison will show a player like Gray what he should and could be. 

Gray is more talented. He has better technique, he is a better dribbler, he is a better finisher, he is quicker and is more electric with his acceleration. However Harrison isn't much worse but he has a far better brain and he will make more good decisions and those good decisions will lead to better individual and team performances. 

I think its his football brain that lets him down at the moment. He has all the physical and technical attributes to be at the very top. He can see passes but he just drifts too much. He has the ability to dominate games and he just needs to start doing it and by the end of the season he should be. 

Not sure what to make of that Utd v Wolves game. 

Utd lack pace at the back especially given how aggresively they want to play. Casemiro looks leggy and it seemed like Fernades was the one making the hardest recovery runs which you don't expect. They do have the potential to be very explosive going forward. It didn't work today in a game that suited but it will do. Rashford is better from the left. 

Wolves will probably get a lot of plaudits for how they played today but I saw a lot of red flags. They can't finish, which doesn't help but they took so many chances in midfield deep in their own half. Another day and they get torn apart. Cunha could be a beast of a player in open space but he fucks things up a lot in the final third. He has a bit of Joelinton about him. Kilman is a really good young centre half and has the scope to play at a much higher level. I feel like they are a team you could park the bus against and they wouldn't score for a week but you could also trap them, turn the ball over and get at Dawson very easily. 

VAR with a shocking decision at the end. I have no idea how Onana got away with that.

2 hours ago, Shukes said:

Would be interesting to see his stats for Saturday. Honestly haven’t looked at them myself. But I would be surprised if they didn’t show him being pretty high on passing percentage. If he is one of the lowest then I got it completely wrong. 
Maybe I was mistaking him for Iwobi

I think his passing numbers were the highest or very close to! 

Can't wait for him to get fit and see what he can do! 

9 minutes ago, StevO said:

I’d let him go on loan if that’s the only option, provided they cover all of his wages. 
 

I think its very unlikely any club in the Championship will be able to pay £70k pw for him!

Chelsea have so much young talent in their squad. Chuck in a genuine DM ( Caicedo)and they go up another level. Not entirely sure Jackson will score them enough goals first half of the season but he could be a hell of a player once he settles in and matures a bit.

I also think Spurs will only get better but I do have concerns about them at the back. Brentford transitioned a bit too easily at times albeit they are one of the best bottom half teams at doing it.

4 hours ago, Hafnia said:

I’m not sold on him being a decent player till @Bailey tells us he’s not been impressed by him. 

over to you Bailey! 

Let me watch a view videos and I'll come back to you

I don't think you can go wrong with Harrison. He has enough pace, good feet and technical ability to go with it and he makes lots of good decisions. He is exactly the type of solid all-round player we seemingly have done our best to avoid in the past. 

Would still love Gnonto as well though! 

43 minutes ago, Palfy said:

Iwobi definitely would have. 

And probably passed it out of play! 

I thought Onana had a big first half, it seemed like a lot of our quality came from him. Second half, not so much!

I agree with Shukes in that Gana played well, one of his best for a long while, and on reflection probably edges MOTM because no-one really stood out. I just wish he would stop bloody shooting! 

I think the most concerning thing for me with Maupay is that its not like the keeper is making amazing saves to deny him. 

9/10 if its on target, its straight at the keeper. I feel like if he is going to score, he will need to scuff it!

On 12/08/2023 at 09:10, Shukes said:

I’m sure everyone knows about it, we all know about it.

I don't read to much into players refusing to play now. Clubs can't have it both ways in that they want players to leave on their terms then try and force players to stay at the same time. 

What's good for the goose is good for the gander and all that.

PWe should have won this game but things will get a lot tougher from here. Fulham are a leaky side who without Mitrovic scoring regularly will be in a relegation battle this season. 

Villa are another side that will give us some space in behind and if we get Danjuma sharp and ready, we have another chance of hitting them on the counter. Don't let the scoreline from yesterday fool anyone though, they are a very decent side.

How are we not winning this game!

From the bits I have seen, our performance has been promising and we should be well ahead with better finishing from Doucs and Maupay. 

Defensively we have looked pretty solid. Patterson struggled early but he has got himself back into the game well. Young makes a big difference on the left, we just look much more solid.

Onana is having a big game too, needs to keep it up in the second half.

Im surprised Dom's program doesn't involve a role on the bench. Will be interesting to see if anything else comes out of it. 

Id be surprised if Mohsiri had too much involvement. He doesn't strike me as his profile of player. 

Owners/board members do get involved in deals so if he is working within the parameters agreed with the recruitment team then that's ok. 

If he is acting on his own then that would be very worrying indeed. 

Personally, it feels like a very weird thing for someone to know. 

Wolves still have a decent amount of quality in their side, it will just go down to how they hire as a manager.