S-Clarke

Got back too late to post anything last night, can't believe I've made it to work either.....(not got a voice either..!). But it was a great night, from start to finish. I thought Arsenal underestimated us slightly with their back 4, it was very inexperienced and it did show as Pelle bullied them most of the evening. And when Podolski plays, they're kind of playing with 10 men anyway! But we nullified any threat they had, they had no real opportunity apart from 1 or 2 in the first 10 mins where they got in between our CB's - but that didn't happen again. The free kick was just a free kick, nothing you could do about that at all and wasn't really deserving on the run of play at that moment. Our response was terrific though and Mane got us a penalty very quickly, and it was important to put them on the back foot as soon as possible. Mane was terrific throughout I felt, although he was better coming off the left than the right (which is where he started). He tired a little as the 2nd half went on, but overall he was quick, direct, skilful and he worked his arse off. He seems to read the game very well and has a picture of the game throughout, I think he's going to be a little bundle of fun for us to be honest. Totally unpredictable and exciting. Tadic, predictably scored the penalty. I think he will be something of a cult hero for us. He was tremendous all night, he never stops running, never stops working and is well up for the physical fight (and often comes away with the ball). Some of his movement off the ball is terrific and his little flicks always seem to come off, he seems to have such a good all round game. Clyne's goal was a stormer, what can you say about that? Touch, hit, BANG. I'm glad to see players having shots like this now, they always seemed a little too scared in the past..i.e it was always easier to play a little pass wide..or back...or sideways, but now we just have players willing to hit it...which is why we're getting more unusual goal scorers. Other than the goal, he gave a defensive masterclass all night as well. He has to be in contention for England in the next squad, although I'm not sure why he'd want to be associated with that shambles. I expected Arsenal to really press in the 2nd half, but it didn't ever really come - apart from the final 15 mins or so. We kept them at arms length for the majority of that 2nd half and controlled the tempo and midfield area - and the midfield in particular was a quality set-up all evening long. We probably should have got a third if we're honest. And even on the odd occasion they did get through, we had players throwing their body's on the line and Fraser pulling off a great save at the near post. Fonte and Garos were solid, rock solid. Gardos in particular looks very composed and cultured on the ball, I noticed this during the Swansea game as well. He's got a good touch, he can move the ball well and has a good turn of pace on him. Our CB options are up a level from last year, that's for sure. Special mention to Matty Targett too, you can see why he is so highly thought of at the club. He's positionally superb, quick off the ground, strong in the tackle. Very composed and does the simple things well. No worries with him being in the team at any stage this season. Overall it was a great night, one that will live long in the memory for sure. Let's just hope that Saturday isn't a great big damp squib, as they can often be after big results like this one!

But he's not built on anyone's success, really. This is brand new, he's done it from almost scratch. He's not built on anything, just a blank canvas.

Man Utd are an absolute mess. Wasted money in area's that weren't priority. Becket, Evans and Smalling as CB options. They are up **** creek without a paddle.

Fonte is simply a natural leader, there's no better candidate for the captaincy and he's thriving on it. He's probably one of our best ever signings.

To be fair, he was put under no pressure what so ever, such an easy 45 mins. But he distributes the ball well, looks mobile enough.

Looking at Dyer and Routledge apparently. Shows how utterly shockingly poor England's options are.

Utter dross of a team to be honest. A bunch of decent individuals, but a pants team. With Gerrard playing his ****-poor Pirlo interpretation.

Quite often teams struggle against 10 men, but we just ripped them apart. 2/3-0 wouldn't have been an unfair 2nd half score line. Battered and well deserved. Koeman is tactically 'In the know', that's for sure.

As everyone was saying, Liverpool had their chance last year and blew it, probably their best for the next decade. They sold their 1 world class player and bought lots of half decent ones. It won't work, and they will probably not even finish top 4. And I will enjoy watching it.

It is pretty dim, I must admit. This is one thing which has baffled me throughout this turbulent summer. An easy, quick, and relatively inexpensive win. Yet reluctance to do so.

If we expanded, we'd look as silly as MK Don's! To be honest, I think a 32k stadium is pretty much spot on for a club like us. At this moment in our life span there's no real need to spend money on adding another 10k seats, it all works well as it is. The focus should be on improving transport links/internal facilities and the training facilities - which is what the club seem to be doing, so all good.

I dream for the day I get to play Ludogorets. (although I get your point)

Their defence has been a complete and utter mess all season.

There does feel a lot more scope with this squad, that's for sure. I'm not belittleing us last season what so ever as we were exceptional, but as people have stated...we had an 11, and that was that. We had a manager who had a way to play and that was that. The inevitable games where certain players didn't perform, or things didn't click...it was a nailed on points drop as we had nothing else. This season we have depth, we have a fluency in the final third and a manager who doesn't make like for like changes, but tactical, reasoned changes as the game progresses. I'm of the belief that we should have achieved more than we did last season, as we had a terrific base 11. This year we seem to once again have a terrific base 11, but much more depth beyond that. We could potentially do better and actually achieve something.

It was pretty special. Never seen such a collective at HT before. He did an amazing job, and he deserved the recognition. (shame he didn't get more nationally, to be honest, as it was an extraordinary feat)

Long was pulling their centre backs all over the place for the first 15 mins, one of the reasons we were so, so dominant in the first part of that game. He then took a whack to the head and understandably quieted down until he was subbed. That 20 mins or so was probably as best he's played for us.

Yeah, that was pretty special. Ibrahimovic esq!

I think Richmond has logged in with the wrong account again.

I think there were also a few legal bits and bobs regarding work permits/international permits to sort. I'm sure he'll be available for next week.

If Cork can continue to add goals to his game, then he will get an England shout. That was probably the only real part lacking, but he will certainly be raising a few eyebrows in the England setup now. As said above, if Colback, Delph etc can get England call ups - then Cork is pretty much on the list if he carries on as he is.

He's got a great pull, a much bigger pull that MP had. I'm sure Koeman was pretty much the number 1 reason he's here as it is.

Pretty sad seeing Rickie now just a constant bench warmer for club and country. That won't change either until either situation has a mass injury crisis. But the guys who left made their decisions. They moved on, we moved on. We have no need for any of our departed players anymore, no need what so ever. Which is to the scouting set ups credit, great recruitment drive.

To be fair, they never said they wouldn't sell players - nothing categorical anyway, find a quote if you think otherwise. The one player they did categorically say they wouldn't sell is still here. (well, two, if you count Jay)

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