Chez

I don't think you are allowed to ask for players with pace on here. You'll be reminded that Jonno Quick wasn't very good and he after all was the quickest of the quick so if he can't succeed no one can. I think you are spot on though. Three of the four attackers have no pace at all and Rodriguez has pace but lacks a little guile. It's early I know, but the Osvaldo Ricky partnership doesn't look like it's made in heaven to me.

I like him a lot. He didn't have a good first half on Sunday, but you can see he has ability on the ball and great strength. At WBA he was immense. The one thing I would say is that he likes to play himself into trouble (often by taking a lot of time and drawing the opponent in) and then use his strength to get out of it. Other players would perhaps just be a little quicker and not need to use their strength. It works for him, but I think that style might actually make him look a slightly better player than he really is. Passing wise he is OK (again he didn't pass well on Sunday, but I don't think that is indicative of his general ability), but when there is space in front of him he seems slightly reluctant to run into it. Also his passing is a little square and backwards. Nothing wrong with keeping possession, but at times it seems to be his first thought. At the moment he seems to be overshadowing Morgan, who hardly seems to be getting any ball. The balance might not be quite right and overall having two deep lying midfielders isn't working quite right with not enough options for the defenders when they have the ball. The two central midfielders don't offer themselves, which looks to be a tactic. There needs to be a slight adjustment to get the bets out of both CM.

very good point. Keeping van Persie etc quiet will be a tougher task no doubt

Like the pairing with Fonte too. Hopefully they can both sustain this early season form and give us time to find the right blend and balance in front of them. It's important the two fullbacks stay fit as well. Keeping the same back five for most of the season can only be a good thing.

he had a terrific game yesterday. My MOTM.

me too, and with seven subs wouldn't Cork be better suited to the middle and Ramirez to the wide position anyway? Has some sort of home grown, under 21 rule come in when I wasn't looking or is Cork injured? He was my choice for player of the season last year. I just can't get my head round how far he has fallen down the pecking order. Having not watched pre-season games can anyone tell if he was **** or has he been injured? he might not be the answer, he may not even be first choice, but not on the bench? Crazy.

Spot on. The lad is a decent prospect, but I have no idea how he gets in the side at this moment in time ahead of Cork, Davis, Lallana or Ramirez (depending on the formation). The one thing for sure is the more games he gets, the better he will get and the less I will feel the way I do right now.

just what the side with 5 goals in 9 games needs, another central midfielder.

that is your opinion. Mine differs completely (not the Puncheon part as I backed him when he was but a boy in dark trousers).

We looked at our best last season when we pressed high up the field, yet we don't do it now. Not sure why.

I've not see it on MOTD, but at the time I shouted pen and I was right up the other end. The reaction from Nolan was that of a very guilty man so for me there was intent.

that is exactly how I feel to a tee.

No idea why some fans seem to want to get on Lallana's back on here. He is exactly the sort of player we would want us to sign if we didn't already have him. You need players that can dribble and retain the ball under pressure.

I must have dozed off and missed that quality passing to the front men. Two free kicks and some doggies was my recollection of his contribution. Note that I have nothing against JWP. He is a decent prospect, but if we need a little more going forward in a tight game such as today I think he offers very little in the way of penetration or a change of pace. He's a central midfielder not a right sided player.

why bring Ward-Prowse on to play right midfield when it's 0-0?

Only Romario would count them in his goal stats. If Sharp had played 6 pre season friendlies and scored 0 goals would you have included those games as part of your analysis?

the fans will blame the high net worths who will no longer be counted as `real' fans

Arsenal at our place last season must have pushed them close. The lack of movement was summed up for me when a thrown in to us around the half way line was thrown long down the line for a hopeful flick on. The thrower had no other option as none of the three central midfielders even looked interested in receiving the ball. This sort of thing should never happen at this level.

agreed. Wiltshire is a top top player in my book, but he had an absolute mare. At least Roy had the balls to sub him. Without his dribbling ability the side looks woeful. We must find more players happy to dribble otherwise we will never succeed at international level. Two touch football doesn't work if that's all you can do. I don't recall Lampard doing anything at all other than miss the header at the end. Totally anonymous. The sad thing is that the squad doesn't seem to include anyone else who can play at that level. Walcott ran into people as usual, giving the ball away time after time. Clueless. The trouble is without these little bursts of pace what exactly is our attacking plan? Walker was positionally a little suspect, but this was only exposed because he was up against a top notch player. I wouldn't write him off. Havign Walcott in front of you doesn't help. I thought Ashley Cole had a poor game overall. He ball watched and offered nothing going forward. He needs to do more in games. Why Milner is played out wide I will never know. He's a good player and got his move to City having played CM for Villa. He can't play out wide. So why do we make him do so? I've rated Welbeck since the Montegnegro game and now he appears to be our saviour.

Razman Rat superstar yeah played for Romania last night and Jack Collison for Wales.

...well at least that was the aim back in 2002 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24038519

Cahill possibly worth a 7, the rest, not more than a 5, tops. Ugly. Boy do we need a few players happy to dribble the bloody thing and I don't mean like Walcott does - straight into a defender. The only time the side looks comftable is when Wiltshire gets on the ball. But he was terrible tonight, leaving us without a single player comfortable taking more than three touches. We are steadily getting worse.

very good selection in teh HCDAJFU thread. He was the only decent player on the park. Someone big £10m for him but his cub want £15-20m. They might get that now.

hopefully the midfield will decide to pass the ball to a member of its own team in the last two games.

Walcott embaressing