12 Aug 2023 16:01:08
Unlike some on here I can only see positives today.
Turner looks a decent goalie. Aina is a good defender/ wingback, Elanga will scare other sides stupid.
Parking the bus in the first half was never going to work so they got their goals, and Johnson is neither fit nor mentally switched on.
Bringing Wood on showed our lack of real attacking power, so we need another Striker to rival Awoniyi.
But when we woke up 10 minutes from the end and Williams and Elanga put themselves about it showed what this team can become, and if Boly's header or MGWs shot had gone in we'd all be cock-a hoop.
Yes it's a work in progress, but with Niakhate and Felipe back in the defence things will only get better.
We should see a different spirit in the lads against the Blades.
12 Aug 2023 16:20:01
Agree totally bsered.
12 Aug 2023 16:23:43
Your about spot on there bsered.
12 Aug 2023 16:28:33
Bsered, how’s your health progressing mate? I agree on wood, selling Surridge (5m) and singing wood (15m) will almost surely be an enigma to us all for the rest of our lives. Players should be given a chance and wood is no exception but it’s difficult to comprehend why any one would think he’s a a better option than Surridge. Strange signing.
12 Aug 2023 17:19:22
It's much better 2Star waiting for the Remission decision hopefully next month but am pretty fit and well so hopes are high.
Wood does not fit our style of play; I believe he was forced on Cooper, and will be difficult to get rid of. Today I would have given the South Korean lad a chance, but not even on the bench!
12 Aug 2023 17:28:07
Sorry we were work in progress all last season can't use that again for this season.
12 Aug 2023 17:44:02
As mentioned already somewhere, I call it how I see it, which today was:
Yates is pretty much unskilled as a footballer, based in todays performance. He just literally bulldozes his way through and usually ends up giving free kicks out. And today he gave the ball away cheaply. Mangala offers more bang for your buck.
Worrall is just not cut out for the prem, let alone be our capt. Their first goal was through and off his legs. Then he almost scored a toe poke at the post but for Turner being alert and palming away.
Kouyate is way too slow for our team. He almost lost out to an Arsenal player in a race, after having a yard or more head start.
McKenna is just too slow.
Johnno is pretty much gone, mentality wise, and I expect him to be sold.
MGW, what was he playing at today, trying to trick his way past players in dangerous areas wjen a good old boot through the ball was all the was needed?
Woods…sloppy.
Same old same old for the first 70mins until subs came on. Nothing learned from last season, or that I can see.
Elanga. Pure speed. He’s going to take some catching, so I hope he stays fit.
T is a beast.
We literally played ‘hot potato’ today, as we seemed to want to get rid of the ball immediately upon receiving it. We need to calm down.
Good result though at the end of the day, even if we bungled our way through most of the game.
12 Aug 2023 17:57:16
Of course we can. For most of last season we were a work with no progress. This team is different and will soon show us what they can do.
12 Aug 2023 18:10:22
Great news Bsered, wishing you all the luck in the world mate. another lesson from the great people on this site to enjoy life to the full, none of us know what’s waiting for us around the corner do we.
12 Aug 2023 18:29:30
Mangala is poor in my opinion, mentally a couple of seconds behind the opposition, physically slow and Weak in the tackle, Yates isn’t premier league quality either but I’d take him over Mangala in most games they’ve played in. Anyhow too early to judge and Mangala may well improve in time.
12 Aug 2023 19:05:37
Mangala played well against Arsenal at the City Ground last season, unless my memory has packed up. Just not consistent enough. Frustrating. I'd say the same about Johnson. At his best he's excellent, but he isn't excellent in too many games.
12 Aug 2023 19:12:55
Red James all teams are constantly a work in progress, most of these premier teams are further along than us, and the big 5or 6 are on a different financial planet,
12 Aug 2023 19:39:50
When Yates was out last season we did miss him one bit did we!
CARLO.
12 Aug 2023 20:59:15
I’ll take your word for That red, i sat blottoed with my hands over my eyes for most of the game ?.
12 Aug 2023 23:22:08
Arsenal were top of the league for the longest time last season, still didn't win it. They've invested heavily in the window too. Reality check needed fellow Reds. I never want us to lose but an eventual battling defeat is way better than last years mauling. I take from that defeat that Cooper is learning and so are the players. Last season's loss to Newcastle was more disappointing IMO.