15 Aug 2018 21:38:51
Nacho is available for Chelsea game if Dick thinks he's match fit.
Kol Kos and Maitland Niles only 3 players not available for Saturday.
4 3 3
With Torreira Guendouzi Elney in the middle Ozil in the hole behind Lacasette and Pea both down the middle.
Believable1
Unbelievable5
15 Aug 2018 23:10:23
Tori, Guen and Laca have to start IMO.
Agree1
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 23:48:57
Can't play Xhaka and shouldn't try to make Ozil Miki Laca and Pea all fit in somewhere somehow.
A result would give us all a lift and get out new start off the launch pad.
Agree1
Disagree3
15 Aug 2018 23:48:34
No wingers? No chance, never happen.
Agree0
Disagree1
15 Aug 2018 23:50:12
Cech
Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Nacho
Ozil, Torreira, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan
Aubameyang and Lacca
Mavropanos - replace Mustafi at some point.
Agree3
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 06:41:55
My choice:
Leno
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Guendouzi Torreira Elneny
Ozil Lacazette Aubameyang
More likely:
Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Sokratis Lichtsteiner
Torreira Guendouzi
Mkhitaryan Ozil Ramsey
Aubameyang.
Agree3
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 08:23:56
Totally agree with your comments down the page about too many luxury players RG and Ozil Miki and Aaron all come into that catogary.
For me one is the limit and it has to be Mesut because he's the best of the 3.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 10:18:29
I favour a back 3 system
Leno
lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis
Torreira Elneney/ Guendouzi (50/ 50 on this)
Miki Ramsey Ozil
Aubu and Lacazette
I believe you have to give Aubu and Lacazette a chance to form a partnership as I feel it could be deadly, I don't think dropping either forward is justfied when they are both such a good goal threat. Fullbacks aside from Lichtsteiner are are weak defensivly in the fullabck area hence I think we are more solid in a back 3. Belierin is a liability for me and does not offer good crossing delivery anyway to counter that.
Agree0
Disagree1
16 Aug 2018 09:49:08
Ozil up behind the front two would be my choice.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 12:35:48
Leno
Bellerin Mustafi Sokratis Lichtsteiner
Torreira
Micki Ozil Guendouzi/ ramsey auba
Lacca.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 17:20:35
Leno
Lichsteiner sokratis mustafi monreal
Torriera guendozi
Mkykitarian ozil aubamayang
VLacazette.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 21:53:34
I personally like 3 at the back too Ryan but don't think Dick is a fan.
If it was me picking the side and formation it would be
Leno
Lichstiener Sokratis young Greek CB
Belerin Torreira Guendouzi Monreal
Ozil
Lacasette and Pea
If I had to stand or fall on a side from our current squad that would be mine.
Agree1
Disagree1
17 Aug 2018 12:38:12
The problem for us when playing a back 4 is because we don't have any midfielders that are comfortable out wide as they are all central based. We are then asking the fullbacks to basically cover the entire length of the pitch just for the sake of having someone out wide who may make get one decent crosss out of about 10, this in turn leaves us exposed too much on the counter.
They is so little protection for the fullbacks it is untrue, that is without Bellerin in particular not being much of a defender anyway. This is why with our current squad makeup I think we would be more solid defensively going to a back 3 and keeping the central (width of the goal area essentially) area strong were the midfielders are more comfortable.
Yes you are sacrificing some natural width but like I say we don't have natural wide players anyway. Why try and cover a weak area for us when we can enhance our strength centrally, when for one delivery is often poor from out wide and 2 now we don't have Giroud our forwards are not great in the air and would lose many more arial battles than win.
If necessery Aubu and Lacazette when attacking can always pull out wide as and when to get a cross in and most likely would cross better than the fullbacks anyway.
Agree0
Disagree0
17 Aug 2018 14:19:05
That's a good post that Ryan, for our midfieled putting in a shift and helping out at the back became to much of an ask under Arsene and the only player who did so automatically and willingly was Sanchez.
I still think Danny Welbeck has that in him but he's let that part of his game slip since joining us.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 09:03:28
The biggest thing that concerned me from the weekend was Cech, he can’t play with his feet, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks .
Believable0
Unbelievable0
15 Aug 2018 09:36:51
How old is he? 34 35
It's not old in reality only in football terms but in human terms mentally Petr is still a very young man.
Physically he is slowing down but mentally he should be sharp as a button and very capable of learning new skills.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 09:42:47
I disagree mate, to suddenly make him good with his feet is a huge task, he’s not naturally gifted that way, he’s a good keeper but I think time has run out regards footwork.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 09:59:13
Maybe so mate but most of us start off playing the game with dreams of being a striker who scores winning goals but as time goes on we find our natural position.
Cech would have started life as an outfield player who probably got shoved between the posts because of his height, all players should be capable of playing simple passes, as we all know 90% of the game is played in your head and while you can't teach people vision reading the game or pace but simple passing shouldn't be to tough for any pro to do.
I'm not saying Cech should be our number 1 keeper just that he has to be capable of learning to play simply with his feet as must all professional keepers to some degree, obviously some will do it better than others of course.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 10:13:48
Understand your thoughts mate, be interested to see if Dick thinks it’s too soon to play from the keeper just yet, he might decide to get the starting XI and structure right first.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 10:27:43
Very true mate, I'm more than happy to back Dick in whatever he does simply because how else can he find out what works and what doesn't work.
I reckon by October time he will have a good idea of what is possible with the players he has, we just need to be patient and understand its not all about this season but more about the 3 to 5 seasons that follow this one.
Serious top 4 challenging in 2019/ 20 season is realistic while if it happend this season it would be a very nice and very welcome bonus for us all.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 10:55:10
Why is it even a question, we have a new keeper who can do it.
Cech will never be comfortable with the ball at his feet, how long has he had during his career to perfect kick outs and how many times do they simply fly into touch.
No more cosy club, remember 62? 😜.
Agree0
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - I really don't get why this is even a discussion. Cech has looked a shadow of his former self since the day he arrived. Leno looks a top class keeper. The moment Leno arrived it should have seen Cech sold, he is finished at the top level, sadly.}
15 Aug 2018 11:13:09
I’m with you Stoner, he’s not a keeper who is good with the ball at his feet . I’m wondering just how long he will keep his spot in goal.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 11:14:36
Also agree Ed, I thought Leno would come straight in.
Agree0
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - it is a really bizarre move not to bring him in when he is suited to the way Dick wants to play while Cech isn't. Why pay out for a keeper if you are not going to use him?}
15 Aug 2018 11:45:34
Totally agree Stoner definitely no more cosy club for anyone at all Cech or any other players at all.
The only thing I would say is mid 30s isn't to old to learn new things and add to your skill set.
If Leno is the best man for the job then happy days and if Dick thinks he can rejuvenate Cech then happy days there too :-)
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 13:32:01
I think he might just letting Leno set out and see the aggressiveness of the game in the PL first. Or he may opt to play a more PL experienced keeper against city.
But I’m sure we will be seeing Leno and in goal very soon.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 16:49:31
Im sure over the next few games there will be many changes as Dick works out what he actually is working with.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 16:54:22
Although i appreciate that playing out from the back is now part of a GK's remit, I still think you should play your best GK, not the best passer. If passing out from the back is so important then why play a GK at all? Just stick a GK shirt on an outfield player and let him play in goal. Being a great GK is the priority, and if that great GK can't pass, then play a sweeper who can. If your best CF was 5ft 9 you wouldn't insist on playing with 2 wingers who keep crossing the ball, so if you have a GK who can't pass then don't ask him to pass! Or as we have done, go get a GK who is both a very good keeper, and who can pass.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 19:42:15
Absolutely Epping mate, a full back is a defender in my book and if he can burst down the line and produce fantastic crosses then brilliant but 1st and foremost he 100% needs to be able to defend.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 06:49:13
I actually thought Cech and the defence were not the worst aspect of the team against City.
What concened me more was the lack of protection and creativity in front of the back four.
Against Chelsea, perhaps it would be wise to try a 4-4-2:
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Ramsey Elneny Torreira Guendouzi
Lacazette Aubameyang
We still have too many 'luxury' players.
Agree0
Disagree0
16 Aug 2018 16:33:13
We read from the same hymnbook G62! I have a mate who constantly slags off our fullbacks for not being able to beat players when going forward! He constantly slags off Bellerin because he can't take on and beat defender of has an issue with his crossing ability. Really he should just stick on slagging him off over his defending, as ay the end of the day he is a full back not a winger. I used to say to my mate if you want an attacking full back then play Walcott in the position, and then you would really see a full back exposed (sadly ours not the oppo! )
Agree0
Disagree0
17 Aug 2018 16:27:04
100% Epping mate, people get carried away when they see a player who has it all then start thinking every player should have it all, a player needs to first ancient foremost be able to do the basics of his job description and anything above that is what makes them stand out in a crowd.
A barman needs to be able to pull a good pint and if he can juggle at the same time that's brilliant but if he can only juggle but not pull a good pint then he isn't a barman in the first place. :-)
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 08:54:38
Ed001 has created a new site which is a humorous Football Player Top Trumps type site. It is on our Player Ratings site if you want to take a look.
Believable1
Unbelievable0
15 Aug 2018 10:13:52
I enjoyed them! 😊 Don't let sanogo see the Wilshire one! 😂.
Agree0
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - he will agree completely I am sure....}
15 Aug 2018 11:47:30
I do ed. He’s a life long West Ham fan so he said. #tosspot 😂.
Agree0
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - hahaha.}
15 Aug 2018 16:38:15
Infact cue the picture change.
Agree0
Disagree0
15 Aug 2018 18:47:12
Joking aside ed. I’ve always been a sucker for people who don’t realise what’s in front of them, when they have potential. I’ve managed so called bad guys, young upstarts etc etc in my line of work who get grief in the work place, I like to see what’s under the nonsense that’s put out for show and discovering their actual ability. It was a similar pipe dream for jack in my eyes. Probably been babied for far to long and had lists of excuses. If he really is any good then he should become a West Ham legend. But never an Arsenal one.
Agree0
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - I agree mate, the problem is they are spoilt and then it is always someone else's fault. I am writing the Legends article on Jack Charlton now and there are a number of players that credit him with being the reason they made it, including Gazza and Souness. They all say that they were going off the rails and he told them straight that they needed to buck their ideas up. I think the likes of Wilshere needed that too and when he didn't get that as a youngster it was all over for him. He needs to hit rock bottom to realise now, and going to the club he supported as a boy on a large salary is not that. What he needed was a shock, to have no one want him and then have to work his way up from the bottom, like Vardy etc. Staying near the top is not enough to shake him from the path he is on. Young players get mollycoddled far too much. They don't need the old bullying culture, but they do need someone there to tell them straight when they slack off.}
16 Aug 2018 08:44:40
I read an article on nick Powell and it sounds like that's exactly what happened to him.
Agree0
Disagree0