Our season will be defined by . . .

[kenzie115]

If the core of your team is injured, that will have a significant impact. No doubt my new friend on here will tell me to pipe down but IMO, we don't have the squad depth to deal with this.

It's a lame excuse used by fans to make themselves feel better after poor performances. Arsenal have been using the injury excuse for years.

We certainly have the resources to have a squad capable of dealing with injuries to key players. I believe we have that squad, we just have a manager holding them back. He knows one way of playing and refuses to change it based on opposition, required result or available personnel.

 

[xenon_]

It's a lame excuse used by fans to make themselves feel better after poor performances. Arsenal have been using the injury excuse for years.

We certainly have the resources to have a squad capable of dealing with injuries to key players. I believe we have that squad, we just have a manager holding them back. He knows one way of playing and refuses to change it based on opposition, required result or available personnel.

The Mancini part of this era was the same. We blew teams away with a full strength squad. When the injuries start hitting, that's when we fall into a slump. There are better squads out there than ours, and they would have similar difficulties with...

A. Their best players out most of the season.
B. Other players being in and out of the physio
C. Other players being run into the ground because there's no one to rotate

There's psychological and sociological theory that would back this trend up, as well as evidence that shows this is not nothing new.

Does it excuse 11 points in 8 games? Certainly not. But we are definitely in danger of this injury crisis defining our season, if it continues.

 

[mosssideblue]

It's a lame excuse used by fans to make themselves feel better after poor performances. Arsenal have been using the injury excuse for years.

We certainly have the resources to have a squad capable of dealing with injuries to key players. I believe we have that squad, we just have a manager holding them back. He knows one way of playing and refuses to change it based on opposition, required result or available personnel.

Sorry mate, not having a go but that is bollocks. The fall off in quality is huge and I would be interested to hear who you think our "squad players" we have who are capable of us attaining the levels we are used to playing at. Simply do it by player positions.

 

[kenzie115]

Sorry mate, not having a go but that is bollocks. The fall off in quality is huge and I would be interested to hear who you think our "squad players" we have who are capable of us attaining the levels we are used to playing at. Simply do it by player positions.

You have the same problem as Pellegrini, you want a direct replacement from our squad for the injured first teamer. Obviously that won't work; you won't get players of that quality willing to be back-ups and if they've not been playing regularly they're not likely to be able to just drop into place and there be no difference.

What we need to do is adapt to our situation. With the players we had available we should have been able to beat an injury ravaged Liverpool at home and at least had a good go at getting a draw in Turin against a struggling Juventus. As it was, Pellegrini set up exactly the same way he would have done had we had a fully fit squad, just using different players and we got mullered in both games. Liverpool got 4 and probably should have had 6/7, whilst Juve only managed one but in truth created 5/6 really clear cut chances.

With Klopp's arrival and their lack of fit strikers, Liverpool were always going to flood the midfield and implement a high press. What did Pellegrini do? He played our two least mobile holding midfield players, leaving Delph and Dinho on the bench and played Mangala, our least confident centre half in possession of the ball. Suicide.

Against Juve 0-0 was a brilliant result for us. So why not sit deep, pack the midfield and play with Navas, Sterling and Aguero on the break? We'd have had a good chance of getting a 0-0 or even knicking it. But no, we play one way and one way only. We try to dominate possession, with our centre halves on the half way line and get exposed over and over again by a team with a tactically astute manager. If Dybala and co. could finish it would have been every bit as embarrassing as the Liverpool game.

This "We will not adapt to the opposition, they will worry about us!" attitude is great if you're the best team in the world and have Messi, Iniesta and Neymar, but we're not! We're lightyears away from them at the moment and should be preparing for each game individually.

 

[kaz7]

You have the same problem as Pellegrini, you want a direct replacement from our squad for the injured first teamer. Obviously that won't work; you won't get players of that quality willing to be back-ups and if they've not been playing regularly they're not likely to be able to just drop into place and there be no difference.

What we need to do is adapt to our situation. With the players we had available we should have been able to beat an injury ravaged Liverpool at home and at least had a good go at getting a draw in Turin against a struggling Juventus. As it was, Pellegrini set up exactly the same way he would have done had we had a fully fit squad, just using different players and we got mullered in both games. Liverpool got 4 and probably should have had 6/7, whilst Juve only managed one but in truth created 5/6 really clear cut chances.

With Klopp's arrival and their lack of fit strikers, Liverpool were always going to flood the midfield and implement a high press. What did Pellegrini do? He played our two least mobile holding midfield players, leaving Delph and Dinho on the bench and played Mangala, our least confident centre half in possession of the ball. Suicide.

Against Juve 0-0 was a brilliant result for us. So why not sit deep, pack the midfield and play with Navas, Sterling and Aguero on the break? We'd have had a good chance of getting a 0-0 or even knicking it. But no, we play one way and one way only. We try to dominate possession, with our centre halves on the half way line and get exposed over and over again by a team with a tactically astute manager. If Dybala and co. could finish it would have been every bit as embarrassing as the Liverpool game.

This "We will not adapt to the opposition, they will worry about us!" attitude is great if you're the best team in the world and have Messi, Iniesta and Neymar, but we're not! We're lightyears away from them at the moment and should be preparing for each game individually.

 

[Don Karleone]

You have the same problem as Pellegrini, you want a direct replacement from our squad for the injured first teamer. Obviously that won't work; you won't get players of that quality willing to be back-ups and if they've not been playing regularly they're not likely to be able to just drop into place and there be no difference.

What we need to do is adapt to our situation. With the players we had available we should have been able to beat an injury ravaged Liverpool at home and at least had a good go at getting a draw in Turin against a struggling Juventus. As it was, Pellegrini set up exactly the same way he would have done had we had a fully fit squad, just using different players and we got mullered in both games. Liverpool got 4 and probably should have had 6/7, whilst Juve only managed one but in truth created 5/6 really clear cut chances.

With Klopp's arrival and their lack of fit strikers, Liverpool were always going to flood the midfield and implement a high press. What did Pellegrini do? He played our two least mobile holding midfield players, leaving Delph and Dinho on the bench and played Mangala, our least confident centre half in possession of the ball. Suicide.

Against Juve 0-0 was a brilliant result for us. So why not sit deep, pack the midfield and play with Navas, Sterling and Aguero on the break? We'd have had a good chance of getting a 0-0 or even knicking it. But no, we play one way and one way only. We try to dominate possession, with our centre halves on the half way line and get exposed over and over again by a team with a tactically astute manager. If Dybala and co. could finish it would have been every bit as embarrassing as the Liverpool game.

This "We will not adapt to the opposition, they will worry about us!" attitude is great if you're the best team in the world and have Messi, Iniesta and Neymar, but we're not! We're lightyears away from them at the moment and should be preparing for each game individually.

Good post

 

[malg]

.....trophies.

 

[baildon blue]

Yaya isn't half the player when Silva is not playing. They work together so well.

I agree .
They seem to play a lot better together .
I noticed that the season they joined us .

 

[mosssideblue]

You have the same problem as Pellegrini, you want a direct replacement from our squad for the injured first teamer. Obviously that won't work; you won't get players of that quality willing to be back-ups and if they've not been playing regularly they're not likely to be able to just drop into place and there be no difference.

What we need to do is adapt to our situation. With the players we had available we should have been able to beat an injury ravaged Liverpool at home and at least had a good go at getting a draw in Turin against a struggling Juventus. As it was, Pellegrini set up exactly the same way he would have done had we had a fully fit squad, just using different players and we got mullered in both games. Liverpool got 4 and probably should have had 6/7, whilst Juve only managed one but in truth created 5/6 really clear cut chances.

With Klopp's arrival and their lack of fit strikers, Liverpool were always going to flood the midfield and implement a high press. What did Pellegrini do? He played our two least mobile holding midfield players, leaving Delph and Dinho on the bench and played Mangala, our least confident centre half in possession of the ball. Suicide.

Against Juve 0-0 was a brilliant result for us. So why not sit deep, pack the midfield and play with Navas, Sterling and Aguero on the break? We'd have had a good chance of getting a 0-0 or even knicking it. But no, we play one way and one way only. We try to dominate possession, with our centre halves on the half way line and get exposed over and over again by a team with a tactically astute manager. If Dybala and co. could finish it would have been every bit as embarrassing as the Liverpool game.

This "We will not adapt to the opposition, they will worry about us!" attitude is great if you're the best team in the world and have Messi, Iniesta and Neymar, but we're not! We're lightyears away from them at the moment and should be preparing for each game individually.

All you say is fine, but my point was about squad depth, your response doesn't address that. Do you think we have strength in depth?

 

[kenzie115]

All you say is fine, but my point was about squad depth, your response doesn't address that. Do you think we have strength in depth?

Yes, if used correctly.

 

[mosssideblue]

Yes, if used correctly.

So no worries with Willy in goal then?

I respect your opinion, but we differ in views (which is fine). I feel you and many others think some of the players that we would consider squad players are using how they used to play to base your argument.

Great from yesteryear, but really struggling with either fitness, form or attitude. Age catches even the most elite athlete, so whilst on paper (and even playing them as you would wish) we could field strong looking side, I don't think we would be romping the league now with the injuries we currently have.

At the end of the day, we are on the same side wanting the best for our club

 

[david whites spike]

I don't know if you are serious or not but if we lose on Saturday you can more or less forget about winning the league. It is far more important than the three points on offer. You can add a good December as well or we are toast

Forget about winning the league? Ha......we'll be 5/6 points clear by February and u can quote me on that ;)
Arsenal huffing and puffing til the end but no cigar.

 

[kenzie115]

So no worries with Willy in goal then?

I respect your opinion, but we differ in views (which is fine). I feel you and many others think some of the players that we would consider squad players are using how they used to play to base your argument.

Great from yesteryear, but really struggling with either fitness, form or attitude. Age catches even the most elite athlete, so whilst on paper (and even playing them as you would wish) we could field strong looking side, I don't think we would be romping the league now with the injuries we currently have.

At the end of the day, we are on the same side wanting the best for our club

Haha, I'll give you Willy. Keeper is the only position where you do need a direct replacement, but it's also the most difficult position in which to get a top quality back up. At least outfield players know there'll be some squad rotation and you'll get a chance to prove yourself. Back up keepers are basically waiting for an injury or they'll spend 90% of the season on the bench. I don't think Willy's the best back up keeper around, but he's not the worst either.

I wouldn't mind if we weren't romping the league if Pellegrini had tried to adapt to opponents and personnel availability, but his stubbornness and our downright predictability are so frustrating. It's a what could have been scenario and in my opinion we'd be a lot better off if he was willing to be more flexible.

 

[mosssideblue]

Haha, I'll give you Willy. Keeper is the only position where you do need a direct replacement, but it's also the most difficult position in which to get a top quality back up. At least outfield players know there'll be some squad rotation and you'll get a chance to prove yourself. Back up keepers are basically waiting for an injury or they'll spend 90% of the season on the bench. I don't think Willy's the best back up keeper around, but he's not the worst either.

I wouldn't mind if we weren't romping the league if Pellegrini had tried to adapt to opponents and personnel availability, but his stubbornness and our downright predictability are so frustrating. It's a what could have been scenario and in my opinion we'd be a lot better off if he was willing to be more flexible.

I agree that Pellers does sometimes raise even my eyebrows to some team selections, but I respect him as a person and firmly believe the decisions he makes are informed (with inputs from others) and that he is always his best for us. I still think he takes too much % of the dirt being dished out when several players do seem to give in very easily.

Anyway, how do you see tomorrow panning out?

 

[kenzie115]

I agree that Pellers does sometimes raise even my eyebrows to some team selections, but I respect him as a person and firmly believe the decisions he makes are informed (with inputs from others) and that he is always his best for us. I still think he takes too much % of the dirt being dished out when several players do seem to give in very easily.

Anyway, how do you see tomorrow panning out?

I definitely don't think Pellegrini ever picks a side he doesn't think will win the game, his interests are our interests, so even if he was an egotist ala Mourinho (which he most certainly isn't) he'd still be doing what he thought was best for us.

Southampton will try to press like Liverpool did but with Otamendi, Fernandinho and Silva back, I think we'll be ok. Would like to see Delph and Dinho behind Silva with De Bruyne and Sterling supporting Aguero from wide, but can't see Yaya being dropped unfortunately. Will go with 2-1.