egg

Good post, and hard to disagree. Lallana can be replaced by Dibling when he tires.

I think there's a bit of that happening. 30+ players to keep happy, and few of them being played to their strengths. He's in danger of losing the changing room as quickly as he's losing the fans. If he stays we're down. Sure, he may bring us back up, but we'll go back down again. I'm not saying that he needs to go yet, but him going at some point feels inevitable unless he can be less dogmatic to his style and get the best out the players.

But, but, but, it's Stephens who must be dropped. Or something.

Tactically we were exposed by runners at the defenders. Sure, offensively we were great at times, but defensively we were exposed. 3 goals conceded to the reserve team of the bottom of the championship team ain't the best argument for the same system away at Brentford.

I think Wednesday night answers the question.

What a ridiculous comment. Tactics aren't dictated by Stephens. A back is being played cos he feels we need a back 3

I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?!

Yep. I reckon BBD and AA will play closer together today and the 3 midfielders will be more compact, joining the front 2 when we can. Played differently, the team ain't a bad one. Agreed re the subs. I can see Dibling getting decent minutes too.

Sure, Stephens was crap at LB but he ain't a LB. He was decent as a CB and is playing there today. Based on their respective performances at CB last week, I can't understand how anyone watching would call for Stephens to be dropped. And for who, assuming we stay with a 3 - neither Edwards or Wood looked anywhere near good enough in the week.

Agreed. I genuinely wonder how many of the people whining that he's playing today actually watched the Forest game. Anyone who watched the game and wants him to be dropped after that performance, and THB's in comparison, needs to give their head a wobble.

That's nonsense, unless you think that stats tell the story. I'd hazard a guess that Archer will have scored more in the Arsenal team than he did elsewhere, and that Nketiah will have scored less in a lesser team than the Arsenal team. I understand your point, but I think it's wrong. I don't agree that we must have a Pelle esque striker to stay up. You've ignored most of the examples I've given of non Pelle esque strikers who've done well. I'd hazard a guess that's because you know I'm right.

He's not Angus Gunn. He's not a goalkeeper. Pointless comparison. Those 41 appearances are mostly sub appearances, and mostly for short periods. That's a terrible stat to use. The fact is that he's scored 4 prem goals in not many starts. He can do it at this level. He's been preferred (quite rightly imo) for England u21 to the Delap who people were upset we didn't get. We got the better player. He's better than the Nketiah who Palace paid double for. Sure he ain't a Pelle esque type player. Downes ain't a Wanyama type DM but he's effective in DM. HWB ain't a hurly burly CB but he's effective. Centre forwards don't have to be big and bulky - that Aguero lad did ok, Robbie Fowler also back in the day, Ian Wright, Jermaine Defo, countless others. It's complete nonsense to suggest that without a Pelle-esque CF we can't stay up. There's too much flapping from some. Play to Archers strengths and he'll do well for us.

Him getting picked for England, and overlooked when he thinks he shouldn't, would mess with his head more than it would for most. Going there he'll have zero expectation of an England pick, so he'll never feel rejected. The move works for him on many levels.

That's the issue. Who? I'm no scout so can't say, but it doesn't alter the fact that our squad would be better with one. That said, I'm very happy with what we have, and there's still TP.

Looks that way. The fella looks knackered - dangerous combination of the honeymoon period and a transfer window probably.

Forgot to rate it. A solid 8. Would have been a 9 with a proper 9. A 10 if we'd managed to trim the wage bill more and shift some unwanted players as well.

I think are overlooking Archer. The lad was first pick for England u21, and can clearly finish. Palace paid £30m for Nketiah. We paid half that for Archer and I think he's at least as good. We've done all right, and yep, I'd have liked a CF who could throw his weight about and bring others in, but Archer and BBD are decent and personally I think we'll do ok.

Ha!! I was thinking this earlier. We slaughtered Forest last year, but we've signed enough to put a whole new team, and some subs. Our first team squad ain't a million miles from Chelsea's 43 or whatever it is!

This is a football thread, about real life footballers. That he's signed for us interests me. How he's rated on a game isn't of any interest to me, and I don't think its relevant. By all means start a thread on the lounge about computer game player ratings if you want, but this ain't the place for it imo. And no, I'm not interested in your opinion on it, or a discussion. You've got the answer you asked for.

Probably a topic for another thread, but Toney is an addict and will have to make decisions based on finances, career, and his addiction. If he's focusing on the latter (he should and I think he is) he'll make decisions that keep life as simple as possible, and in doing so avoid ego trips and anything that could lead to resentment. A cushy gig in Saudi where he has no chance of being picked for England then overlooked would tick all the boxes. For any other footballer, it's still a job, and I believe it's more about money than winning things for pretty much all of them.

I'm not sure he will. If that was likely, I think Wood would have gone on loan. I'd imagine he'll trim the 1st team squad to a core group, and the rest will train separately. It'll be unmanageable otherwise. I'm interested where Edozie fits in after this. Can't see there's any room for him. Daft lad should have sorted himself out yesterday - he had a cracking menu to pick from.

I'm with lighthouse on this. To us fans being a top pro footballer feels like a bit of dream, but these guys are working. If I had the choice of working for 2 years earning £30m or so and then retiring, or working 4-5 years for the same money then retiring, I'd take the 2 year option. Seems to me that's what Toney has chosen to do.

There's space I think for everyone.

I reckon so - I think Howe still holds a resentment from that. Anyways, glad to have him back here. Very good squad player for us.

Brentford rather chuffed with Meghoma. Their manager seems to be suggesting he'll be helping the first team this season. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgwnwk4dgrt?post=asset%3A6d4dc2c7-f146-48b8-81b5-29a7f19709f5#post