We Are Top Of The League

Problem is when you drop points like we have recently I'm home games to Fulham and United games like these ones where draws don't seem so bad now have to be turned into wins. An absolute minimum of 4 points needed from our next 2 league games and that is dependent on us then doing the business at home.

The players are starting to look tired and weaknesses in defence are there for all to see.

Sooner we are back to winning ways the better but I don’t buy in to the crisis chat or that we are in danger of letting our lead slip. The danger is Arsenal and they have had the same outcomes to their last 2 games, with a draw and a loss against Brighton and Newcastle.

We were never going to go through this season without dropping points so I can accept a draw against United in the league and a 1-0 loss in the first leg of the league cup with all to play for at Anfield. Nothing has been lost with these 2 results. No ground has been gained by Arsenal in the league. We are 6 points clear with a game in hand.

The one issue that I’d like to see addressed is the centre back area where it doesn’t look like we have appropriate cover. We currently have 3 fit centre backs (assuming Quansah was just illness as I think I’ve heard). Konate we know has a chequered injury record and Quansah doesn’t seem to be trusted. I get the concerns around making snap decisions in January but this should be something firmly on our radar and I think we need at least 1 addition.

Without knowing the scores of any other games, would people be happy with 4 points from the next 2 league games?

Away to Forest & Brentford in the same week are certainly no gimmes.

The one issue that I’d like to see addressed is the centre back area where it doesn’t look like we have appropriate cover. We currently have 3 fit centre backs (assuming Quansah was just illness as I think I’ve heard). Konate we know has a chequered injury record and Quansah doesn’t seem to be trusted. I get the concerns around making snap decisions in January but this should be something firmly on our radar and I think we need at least 1 addition.

I think this window and the summer one coming up was always going to be the ones where we addressed the defence.

2022 was the start of the changing of the guard, bringing in Diaz. We followed that up with Nunez in the summer of the year and Gakpo in the January window. Our front line had been bolstered.

We moved onto the whole new midfield in the summer of 2023. And now they've all had a season to settle in, we're starting to reap the rewards of that summer on a more regular basis. Some question marks still hang over the midfield but in the main, they're doing quite a good job.

Which brings us to this season, where we've already signed a keeper we're banking on to be the future number one and now the defence will need to be addressed, especially with the contract situations and the injury records we have back there. So I think we will see a defender come in this window, maybe a Gomez type who can play anywhere along the back line. And then a couple more additions in the summer.

And then from the potential quadruple season of 21/22 to the start of the 25/26 season, we could have almost an entirely new starting XI. That is some overhaul of players in such a short space of time, which makes the job Jürgen done last year and the job Arne is doing this year is even more remarkable.

If we nail the defence then hopefully this time next year and for the next couple of years we can go back to just adding one or two players rather than having to sort out an entire third of the pitch in one or two windows.

Without knowing the scores of any other games, would people be happy with 4 points from the next 2 league games?

Away to Forest & Brentford in the same week are certainly no gimmes.

No.

As well as both clubs are performing this season, especially at home, they are not clubs we should be considering dropping points to. And if we can string together a run of 5 or 6 wins on the spin over the next couple of months then our position at the top will be even more difficult to catch.

Without knowing the scores of any other games, would people be happy with 4 points from the next 2 league games?

Away to Forest & Brentford in the same week are certainly no gimmes.

Well we'd be happy with the win (3 points) obviously....The draw (whoever it was against) would be down to how that game played out. If we were getting beat and scored an equaliser in the last minute, we'd be chuffed with a draw (1 point)..conversely, if we were ahead going into the the last 15 mins or so and conceded we'd be sick...(but still have that 1 point). Of course there might not be any goals in the draw...in which case...it would be down to which team performed better etc....Better to just win both games then it won't be an issue.

Injuries to the defence and Dom being out knocked us off balance a bit. Some players experienced a dip in form too so it's not surprising we've dropped points.

 I think we could make better use of the squad. I like the fact Slot has a clear idea of which players he prefers to use but there have been times when he has persisted for too long in my view. I think Harvey in particular should be used more, as well as Endo.

Win next Tuesday and everything is forgotten but if not the media will be on our back.

Win next Tuesday and everything is forgotten but if not the media will be on our back.

Never mind the media. If forest beat us next week they will be 3 points behind us and then host southampton while we travel to brentford. They could be right up our arses as could arsenal and cheaty are lurking ... dont count them out. They can string 12 plus wins together.

The warning signs are there. They need to react and re-establish themselves. They need to work harder. Defensive solidity is key. Start keeping clean sheets. A couple more poor performances and that lead has gone. The next 3 away games are huge.

Never mind the media. If forest beat us next week they will be 3 points behind us and then host southampton while we travel to brentford. They could be right up our arses as could arsenal and cheaty are lurking ... dont count them out. They can string 12 plus wins together.

The warning signs are there. They need to react and re-establish themselves. They need to work harder. Defensive solidity is key. Start keeping clean sheets. A couple more poor performances and that lead has gone. The next 3 away games are huge.

Exactly, you're confirming what I had in mind. The media will instil more doubt, if you think that it does not effect, you're wrong.

In the next couple of windows our concentration should be on bolstering defence with quality LB & RB’s and two top CB’s, Robbo for obvious reasons and Kostas shouldn’t be our go to LB, we’ll need cover for Bradley & Calvin who the jury is still out on , Trent I don’t see him being here,

Virgil, Ibou & Joe have been immense but we’ll need adequate cover for them, young Jarell is still learning his trade so ideally we’ll need two young quality CB’s long term,
The engine room needs bolstering too, I’m sorry but Curtis isn’t the one who can take us forward, I know he’s Scouse but he’s simply not reliable enough, look at the difference to him and Macca for consistency and you’ll see, if it wasn’t already obvious, Arne I don’t believe is a fan of Harvey so maybe he has other ideas in regards to adding creativity, and most of us will be looking into our crystal ball’s to see if Mo will still be with us too,

Darwin Nunez like Curtis isn’t good enough, try as he might and his work ethic is commendable but his sticking that bag of air into the onion bag his sat nav is in a different street,

I count about 6-8 new swinging dicks we’ll need coming in within the next 3-4 windows, I’m sure Richard Edwards is sounding out potential targets as we type, I like the lad Robinson at Fulham but I think Kerkez at B’mouth is on Richards radar having been at B’mouth himself, both LB’s are young enough with PL experience,

also been impressed with Joao Pedro at Brighton he’s a Nunez type forward with pace, power and can actually find the onion bag, I’m sure there are players we wouldn’t think of that are being watched in particular for midfield,
In essence we’re doing what the cheats don’t do are forever evolving, but of course the goalposts have changed slightly with Arne now at the helm, so we’ll see what shape develops as a team in the next few windows ??


YNWA

Exactly, you're confirming what I had in mind. The media will instil more doubt, if you think that it does not effect, you're wrong.

I didnt say it doesnt affect, where did i say that? Its clear theyve been listening to the media believing their own hype going by recent performances. They pitched up against united like a team that thought it just had to turn up and didnt need to run.

So as I say ... forget the media and get their eyes back on the job otherwise they will be looking up at 1st place in a few weeks time after having an 11 point lead. Thats a quicker and worse implosion than newcastle.

otherwise they will be looking up at 1st place in a few weeks time after having an 11 point lead. Thats a quicker and worse implosion than newcastle.

I know you're fond of the dramatic Don but this is a bit much even for you.

If we theoretically have the 3 points for the game in hand that most would agree we probably would have won when it was played we have a 9 point lead at the top so only a drop of 2 points over the period you're taking about.

Hardly an implosion, more like normal run of things as we don't expect everyone to win every game this season as so many teams closely matched.

I know you're fond of the dramatic Don but this is a bit much even for you.

If we theoretically have the 3 points for the game in hand that most would agree we probably would have won when it was played we have a 9 point lead at the top so only a drop of 2 points over the period you're taking about.

Hardly an implosion, more like normal run of things as we don't expect everyone to win every game this season as so many teams closely matched.

Well if we lose a huge lead with draws ... its the same thing isnt it. Id rather win 1 lose one than draw 2.

I am dramatic yes ... im not a glass half full person. I see the negative more than the positive. Ive always been like that. I dont deny that. Sometimes i wish i could just enjoy it all abit more.

I just dont want us to blow what is a great title winning opportunity ... like gerrard in 2013 we will never hear the last of it.

The reality is we had an 11 plus point lead on city and 9 on everyone else. That is a huge lead in anybody's book

Well if we lose a huge lead with draws ... its the same thing isnt it. Id rather win 1 lose one than draw 2.

I am dramatic yes ... im not a glass half full person. I see the negative more than the positive. Ive always been like that. I dont deny that. Sometimes i wish i could just enjoy it all abit more.

I just dont want us to blow what is a great title winning opportunity ... like gerrard in 2013 we will never hear the last of it.

The reality is we had an 11 plus point lead on city and 9 on everyone else. That is a huge lead in anybody's book

I guess you didn't read my post.

We haven't blew an 11 point lead as add the 3 points for game in hand and we've still theoretically got a 9 point lead so only a drop of 2 points.

The way your talking you'd think we weren't even clear at the top.

And we actually have a 12 point gap on City now with a game in hand

I didnt say it doesnt affect, where did i say that? Its clear theyve been listening to the media believing their own hype going by recent performances. They pitched up against united like a team that thought it just had to turn up and didnt need to run.

So as I say ... forget the media and get their eyes back on the job otherwise they will be looking up at 1st place in a few weeks time after having an 11 point lead. Thats a quicker and worse implosion than newcastle.

We have dropped two points in the last 4 games , 1 draw and 3 wins

Where is all the overreacting drama coming from

I guess you didn't read my post.

We haven't blew an 11 point lead as add the 3 points for game in hand and we've still theoretically got a 9 point lead so only a drop of 2 points.

The way your talking you'd think we weren't even clear at the top.

And we actually have a 12 point gap on City now with a game in hand

I really can’t understand the panic

I guess you didn't read my post.

We haven't blew an 11 point lead as add the 3 points for game in hand and we've still theoretically got a 9 point lead so only a drop of 2 points.

The way your talking you'd think we weren't even clear at the top.

Yes we are clear at the top. 6 points is nice. As i said above, sometimes i wish i could just enjoy it all abit more. This is a title we can win.

Will you he happy if nobody is brought in this month? Do you think we need to bring anyone in?

We can go on about point gaps, upcoming fixtures etc but there’s only one thing that’s really key.

Sorting the defence out again. The ones alongside Virgil need to improve and improve fast (or the alternative is to sign a player or two but I doubt we do that).

If we continue to defend like we have done in recent weeks then we won’t win the title (or any trophy for that matter).

Will you he happy if nobody is brought in this month? Do you think we need to bring anyone in?

Honest answer? I'm barely even thinking about it apart from when I discuss it on here.

Would I like someone in? Of course if the right player and opportunity is there but hand on heart I think Arne focusing on what he has without integrating anyone else in a title run could be more beneficial

I guess you didn't read my post.

We haven't blew an 11 point lead as add the 3 points for game in hand and we've still theoretically got a 9 point lead so only a drop of 2 points.

The way your talking you'd think we weren't even clear at the top.

And we actually have a 12 point gap on City now with a game in hand

And i didnt say we had blown an 11 or 12 point lead. I said if they dont stop listening to their own hype and buck up their performsnces then in a few weeks time they will be looking up at first place having blown a large lead.

And i didnt say we had blown an 11 or 12 point lead. I said if they dont stop listening to their own hype and buck up their performsnces then in a few weeks time they will be looking up at first place having blown a large lead.

Ah so your panicking about something that hasn't even happened.

Crack on then buddy

Ah so your panicking about something that hasn't even happened.

Crack on then buddy

Oh i will dont you worry. You crack on too mate. 🤣