The Title Race - 2023/24

[alexmcity]

IF we beat Spurs we'll have as many points after 14 games as we had last season.

Given we have been playing without both Gundo and KDB, we've done well. We've missed KDB recently, he is one of the best players in the world for a reason. Alvarez can't exploit the free spaces so well, be it with passes or surging runs, we'd have killed Liverpool with KDB yesterday, especially in the 2nd half when they were more open.

 

[Phil1]

We're not as good as we were last season and numerous teams are better. 85+ may well win the league this season.

Not sure either of those statements are true.
Injuries have held us back so far, nothing more nothing less. We are having to adjust on a weekly basis depending on who’s missing and it’s been difficult to get much rhythm.
Also worth mentioning the Rodri red card that fucked us for 3 games.
We are right where we need to be.

 

[Withnail]

I'm hoping for a draw between spurs and villa today.
It will take a bit of pressure off if a few clubs around us start dropping points, when playing each other.
I fancy us in a 2 horse race.

We have been ahead 4 times in the last 2 games but were unable to hold out for wins.
I wouldn't mind seeing us shore up the defence in the last 10 minutes in the tight games.

The pending return of Stones will gives us the control we lack and the also make us more solid defensively

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

IF we beat Spurs we'll have as many points after 14 games as we had last season.

Given we have been playing without both Gundo and KDB, we've done well. We've missed KDB recently, he is one of the best players in the world for a reason. Alvarez can't exploit the free spaces so well, be it with passes or surging runs, we'd have killed Liverpool with KDB yesterday, especially in the 2nd half when they were more open.

I don't think Julian is the problem but rather Foden's inconsistency.. we've waited years for him to become the true KDB successor, and he has a good game and then follows it up with a bad one.

Also he is a bit selfish and doesn't square it when he should.. where as Julian even though in a slump always goes for the high % play, passing to a team mate.

Maybe Pep sees the same and wants another winger to move Foden to central midfield alongside Rodri.. the Stones role to cover for when Stones is injured.

But even bigger problem is inconsistency in midfield. while everyone is saying we should have scored more with KDB.. I think the ability to kill off other teams's chances in midfield before they get to our back line is even more dire.

I think we might actually be active this winter transfer market!

 

[Phil1]

The shite being written today is off the scale.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Saw nothing from Liverpool to suggest they will be a contender. Weak in midfield.

It's a stroll yesterday if Kev, Stones and Jack are all available.

We need to keep in the mix and make our presence felt by the end of January.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Saw nothing from Liverpool to suggest they will be a contender. Weak in midfield.

It's a stroll yesterday if Kev, Stones and Jack are all available.

We need to keep in the mix and make our presence felt by the end of January.

I'm more worried about Gooners.. they are playing like shit and getting points in the last few minutes of game.

I'm not convinced they're good but they're lucky! If they actually play themselves into form, they could be both lucky and good and that's all you need in a season where everyone else is not quite firing.. a bit like Leicester in 2016!

Still I would back Pep to fix the problems especially as we're still in it, we're nowhere as bad as 2016 latter half of the season!

 

[Mad_fer_it]

Some people aren’t happy unless they’re miserable!

Or

I don't think Julian is the problem but rather Foden's inconsistency.. we've waited years for him to become the true KDB successor, and he has a good game and then follows it up with a bad one.

Also he is a bit selfish and doesn't square it when he should.. where as Julian even though in a slump always goes for the high % play, passing to a team mate.

Maybe Pep sees the same and wants another winger to move Foden to central midfield alongside Rodri.. the Stones role to cover for when Stones is injured.

But even bigger problem is inconsistency in midfield. while everyone is saying we should have scored more with KDB.. I think the ability to kill off other teams's chances in midfield before they get to our back line is even more dire.

I think we might actually be active this winter transfer market!

I dont see Foden as the heir to KDB tbh. He likes to come in from the right and has gone on record to say that's his best position. Bellingham is the closest thing to KDB, a true CM who can do everything. Like everyone else I'm praying KDB can come back the same player.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

The pending return of Stones will gives us the control we lack and the also make us more solid defensively

Can't come soon enough.
I heard a little bit from DeBruyne today.
He was inteviewed at Grand Prix and reckons he will be back at the start of next year.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I'm more worried about Gooners.. they are playing like shit and getting points in the last few minutes of game.

I'm not convinced they're good but they're lucky! If they actually play themselves into form, they could be both lucky and good and that's all you need in a season where everyone else is not quite firing.. a bit like Leicester in 2016!

Still I would back Pep to fix the problems especially as we're still in it, we're nowhere as bad as 2016 latter half of the season!

Arsenal are definitely getting much better results than their performances merit. They’re probably better placed than Liverpool. Still think Arsenal may regret not getting a better striker and left back. Also think that their new keeper is a little ropey.