Good effort, and I like your thinking. A guarantee of 8 goals conceded in every match with that defence, but the forward line looks far more potent. Instead of 8-0, we'll be losing 8-2 or 8-3.
Agreed. It’s pointless playing him. He’s not the future, and he’s not good enough to be a starter unless basically every other defender we have is injured. Janmaat should play, and whoever QSF sees as our best central pairing should play together. I’d be happy enough with Masina getting a run out and a chance to make a claim to start. I’d midfield, it’s a travesty if Quina isn’t given a chance, and I think Chalobah is worth giving more minutes. Sarr has to play. If he’s on the bench, it’s a disgrace.
I'm stunned he kept his place in the squad over Wilmot (who was arguably MotM in every game he played for us) tbf
I’d like to see Masina given an extended run in the team now. But - I heard something the other day in the radio about Granit Xhaka’s wife being ready to drop their first child and how Xhaka has told Arsenal he is taking 2 weeks paternity leave (of his 3 that are allowed by law)... I wonder, given Masina’s partner gave birth just before the Coventry game, if he has taken his 3 week allowance - wouldn’t be surprised if he has given he’s not been given a look in this season. And if he has, QSF will have barely seen him in training.
With the Spurs tickets selling out so quickly in support of the boys, I'm assuming full house tonight?
Afternoon all. I signed up to vent after Saturday but as time has passed I just can't be bothered, it's done now. Tonight we all know Gomes will be in goal. His contract extension is potentially the most baffling decision I've seen from the club in the last 5 years. Not everyone will agree but I'd start some of the lazy feckers from Saturday, I'm talking Femenia, Holebas and Doucoure. See if they have any guts about them to turn up on a miserable Tuesday evening against a Championship side who will be well up for it. If not then Quique is in no doubt about what to do for the next league game, if he isn't already.
I'm going tonight just to make sure I've got the buying history. Don't want to run the Cat C risk again for this final. You 'orns !
In fairness he would have joined the club late so doesn't start straight away ans Swansea have started the season very so why would they change the team. The test will come when there are injuries and if then keeps his spot
We all like to play football coach in our heads, but I really don't envy QSF the choices he has to make for tonight. Everybody talks about the importance of the Wolves and Shef U games, but, in a different way, I think this is important beyond its notional value as a 2nd round game in the Carabao Cup. Its timing could hardly be worse for the coach, given what he's walked into. He must try to build some optimism back into the squad, people are already starting to turn on him (after two games! - he's never been my favourite coach, but wow) and he can hardly have started to figure out each of the players yet. Must win game, then, given the circumstances; and Swansea must be salivating so much already there is a chance they'll slip over in their own dribble.
Damn right it’s important beyond it’s notion as being just a 2nd round Carabao Cup game. It’s as huge as a 3rd round Carabao Cup game in my opinion...
On another thread someone commented on the stunned look on Hughes' face during the City match. I've been watching Foster's and Sarr's facial expressions for two or three games, now: When he finally manages to get his hands on the ball as we 'defend', Foster's default is to grin wryly and shake his head. Until recently he was part of a Pulis team who, whatever else they couldn't do, could defend. It must be very hard to look good behind a defence like ours'. It does seem to me that he has made decisions during play that indicate how little faith he has in them. Is he a part of the problem or is just swamped by the sh*t show in front of him? Just another problem for QSF to fathom out. I do not think I have seen Sarr crack a smile yet, even when he scored a goal against Coventry. He looks to me to be saying to himself 'Wtf have I walked into here?' (In French, of course). (By the way, he doesn't look anything like the finished article to me, yet).
Sarr has hardly any time to make any impact, given any coaches reluctance to start him in a league game. He should start tonight, see if he can last the full 90 and get gelling with the team (which will be different from the slop that played at City) an then KEEP that team (if they do well) for the next few league games. Make one or two changes if need be, but do not start Kiko, Holebas or Dawson against Wolves or Sheff Utd, injuries pending of course - and just see how we do with a much changed side. They could surprise a few and keep the others as bench warmers.
I'm hoping there's a river flowing tonight so I can get my boos in from my sofa. To be honest I just want to see some different players from the usual ****munchers. The likes of Chalobah, Quina, Sarr, Welbeck if fit. Something to get a bit excited about for once.
Pretty strong line up. Welbeck starting will be interesting. Good to see Quina and Chalobah. We all knew Gomes would start. COYH!
Pretty sure there won’t be a stream or radio coverage unless you can pick up 3cr on terrestrial - something to do with crappy caribo cup broadcast rights
Had one of the young keepers been put in, I'd have fully supported the lineup in this or any league game. As a result, I cannot. COYH! #carrythemhome #imagineif #silvaout
