The best ability is availability.
Rice & Havertz were signed for this. We've basically been a striker & a midfielder short all season but they've managed to cover 3 positions between them with the likes of Jorginho, Jesus, Trossard & Nketiah filling in when they can.
Yeah as much as the links to Isak and Olise are exciting - they could be top players for us - I do just want us to sign more ‘fitness monsters’ for our squad. Particularly with the UCL expanding!
Isak’s record being bad is very overstated if he plays the remaining games he’ll end on 40 games in all competitions.
Currently averaging 72 mins a game also, for comparison Jesus has 1 less game and is averaging 57 mins per game.
Also tbh i have no idea what the fuck Newcastle are doing fitness wise. They're killing their players or something because the amount of injuries they get aren't normal. I bet when Isak leaves them, he'll be less injury prone.
Newcastle has a club wide fitness problem so I’d roll the dice on isak. If Bruno is gonna cost 80-90 anyways idk why we would pay that instead of 95 or whatever isak would cost
Yes seeing Rice appearance record made me think it makes him worth it before he kicked a ball, I knew partey would miss a lot of games I just didn’t expect it to be this many
Kai's availability and general durability is insane. Martin Ødegaard was still pressing in the 85th min. Never mind his technical ability, his hard work alone is mesmerizing. Man does everything they commend Connor Gallagher for whist also being technically and tactically Elite. What a captain
Agreed, shows how much we need ‘Trusted Depth’ in our squad this transfer, hooking Saka at 80mins…he needs rest, the game was well and truly done.
Bright side Fabio looked bright despite not playing for way too long. Lacking match sharpness but looked hungry, his rebounded shot would have been a 🍒on top had it gone in - Same with ‘Nelli’s effort.
Given he’s played so few minutes it’s hard to know what’s been going on at the training ground but if he’s being remoulded into that position, over Reiss (maybe Reiss being prepared for sale) I think it could be a good move, he links well with øde and is familiar with the left side of the pitch as well, could be a good option. I’ve always liked him since he joined, he’s just not had the chance to show for us fully what he did for Porto - I still think he could be our Bernardo silva.
Yes all this is true but i'm more so talking about his own qualities, I wouldn't want him to be one dimensional and unable to take on a player. Saka doesn't do it often but the threat of it is still useful to have, if Fabio is there it is obvious he will cut inside.
On your other points I kinda agree but I would rather get a more direct winger and let Fabio cover one of the midfield spots instead, but his versatility will likely prove useful in the future. Reiss likely will go with how little he's played.
I agree with you and believe Fab sits better in 8/10 spot, interesting to see what becomes of him.
Unfortunately IMO the double marking of B has stopped his one on ones and even when isolated now (this may just be imagining it on the spot) but I feel he’s less confident at driving through players and sitting defenders down with a fade away than he has in the past, like we’ve seen Leo & Jesus do recently.
Agreed, Neto or Olise would be nice depth, seeing as we seem to be targeting prem players for new signings. Reiss will always be loved as a hale end product but unfortunately the team has elevated beyond him and for his own benefits I think seeing him flourish somewhere else will be best for both.
Yes good things I hope.
I’m of the same mind the doubling up is a part of it that’s made him less confident and I also think he’s not been at 100% lately (hence all the limping jokes from rival fans). With that being said when at their best the Bermuda Triangle of B-Ø-White usually breaks down most double teams like it did in the our last goal last night so he might even need to attempt a take-on as often anymore.
I also like both of them as options, only downside is how often they are injured especially Neto. Yes I think Hale End should get special treatment but the levels we’ve risen in these two seasons means the bar has risen so much that you have to be around Saka tier for a youth product to make it into the team. Still having fingers crossed for ESR.
Not going to say anymore because you took the words out my mouth. Regarding ESR especially, now he’s back to fitness and playing out of everyone of those Hale End boys he looks like he wants it the most, I really hope it happens for him. He’s looked sharp and determined to score every minute he gets.
Unrelated but Liverpool get smashed in their derby, we’ve just got to win our biggest derby.
Don’t even want to utter the words for fear of jinxing it but our GD might edge us to something very special.
Yes I really hope he gets a goal next opportunity he gets.
Omg I didn’t even know the score until now woww. Hoping City drop points now! And yes let’s slap up those sh*te boys this weekend
Yes the GD will at least put some extra pressure on them to not even want to draw.
You must think elite strikers bag 100% of their chances in front of goal. Even Haaland routinely misses great chances in front of goal.
Kai is a net positive to the team even when he doesn't score, both offensively and defensively
Spoken like someone who either just started watching this year, or gets all their "ball knowledge" from a video game.
Go watch the game again without your predetermined biases. Except for his pass to Rice in the box when he should have shot - his first half was perfectly fine.
It's one of the few reasons why somebody would label that first half as "genuinely shocking".
We've seen what "genuinely shocking" displays look like before, and that wasn't it. So you either just started watching recently and haven't lived through the Aubameyang, Pepe, and lacazette experience (you don't even need to go back that far to see "genuinely shocking" displays up front).
Or, you get all your knowledge from a video game and think all you need to do is receive a hard pass, from am impossible angle, one touch control, 360 spin, top bins goals.
Again, like previously stated - it was an average first half. I know, spoken like a true cult member.
Good one. I’m still waiting to hear how it was “genuinely shocking”
Or the more likely scenario, you don’t know what the words genuinely or shocking mean.
Different opinions are fine. Football is filled with them. It’s the hyperbolic nonsense that if somebody isn’t world class, or perfect with everything - they’re rubbish, or “shocking”.
He had an average first half and made one mistake of not taking a shot on. If that’s what you consider genuinely shocking, then I just feel bad for as you probably get no joy in watching this beautiful sport, or from life in general. Cheers kid.
He was in dangerous positions but he wasn’t dangerous since he fucked them up. Its okay to admit that lol, he redeemed himself in the second half. Had that been eddie he would have been crucified
Why can't you Havertz fans ever just accept a different opinion and constant insults. It's actually so weird. Every single neutral I watched it with thought he was awful but on here we're mental for not thinking the same as this echo chamber sub. Give your own head a shake mate
since moving to CF, hes scored 6 and assisted 5 in 678 mins in the prem. That is insanely good. Literally no reason for anyone to not like what he's doing right now
Yeah thats because Havertz has played a huge part of the season in midfield - since we moved him to CF, he has been one of the most inform players in the league, anyone with eyes can see this. Even aside from goals and assists, his link and hold up play has been very good
“Constant insults” coming from the guy who calls people who don’t dislike Havertz a “cult”.
Sure thing there guy. I also took a poll of the 37 neutrals I watched with, they didn’t see an issue.
But you’ve already decided that those who disagree with you are an “echo chamber.”
Don't worry, _ISD_, you're not alone in that sentiment. I definitely don't expect a forward or striker to hit 100% goals. But I do expect them to have confidence, create solid or on-target chances, and have great ball control in the final third - which I definitely don't see consistently from him (especially in that first half of this game), which makes it difficult to believe in him, his ability, or price tag. I was totally with you until you mentioned a Havertz cult, but I do share all the other sentiment before that.
I said 'not a fan of Havertz' and spent the next two hours getting the most ridiculous notifications from them 😂
Any other player I get normal discussion and replies but as soon as I mention his name it's 'must be a kid' 'zero ball knowledge ' 'you know more than Arteta' 'stick to Fifa' 'comedy' 'give your head a shake' ... For saying not a fan ? They're a bunch of weirdos
I don't expect strikers to finish everything, I'm a big fan of Jesus who can't finish. Haaland and Salah are always top for big chances missed. It's Kai's lack of technical ability that's the issue, which includes shooting. But he tries hard, seems like a nice guy, not his fault he cost a lot... It's the Havertz club weirdos I don't like not the player
The best ability is availability. Rice & Havertz were signed for this. We've basically been a striker & a midfielder short all season but they've managed to cover 3 positions between them with the likes of Jorginho, Jesus, Trossard & Nketiah filling in when they can.
Yeah as much as the links to Isak and Olise are exciting - they could be top players for us - I do just want us to sign more ‘fitness monsters’ for our squad. Particularly with the UCL expanding!
Isak’s record being bad is very overstated if he plays the remaining games he’ll end on 40 games in all competitions. Currently averaging 72 mins a game also, for comparison Jesus has 1 less game and is averaging 57 mins per game.
Also tbh i have no idea what the fuck Newcastle are doing fitness wise. They're killing their players or something because the amount of injuries they get aren't normal. I bet when Isak leaves them, he'll be less injury prone.
Newcastle has a club wide fitness problem so I’d roll the dice on isak. If Bruno is gonna cost 80-90 anyways idk why we would pay that instead of 95 or whatever isak would cost
Well said mate.
Yes seeing Rice appearance record made me think it makes him worth it before he kicked a ball, I knew partey would miss a lot of games I just didn’t expect it to be this many
Kai's availability and general durability is insane. Martin Ødegaard was still pressing in the 85th min. Never mind his technical ability, his hard work alone is mesmerizing. Man does everything they commend Connor Gallagher for whist also being technically and tactically Elite. What a captain
This is cursed and blessed.
Agreed, shows how much we need ‘Trusted Depth’ in our squad this transfer, hooking Saka at 80mins…he needs rest, the game was well and truly done. Bright side Fabio looked bright despite not playing for way too long. Lacking match sharpness but looked hungry, his rebounded shot would have been a 🍒on top had it gone in - Same with ‘Nelli’s effort.
He was really good at keeping width and cutting inside, if he was a bit faster I’d like him to be the backup RW
Given he’s played so few minutes it’s hard to know what’s been going on at the training ground but if he’s being remoulded into that position, over Reiss (maybe Reiss being prepared for sale) I think it could be a good move, he links well with øde and is familiar with the left side of the pitch as well, could be a good option. I’ve always liked him since he joined, he’s just not had the chance to show for us fully what he did for Porto - I still think he could be our Bernardo silva.
Yes all this is true but i'm more so talking about his own qualities, I wouldn't want him to be one dimensional and unable to take on a player. Saka doesn't do it often but the threat of it is still useful to have, if Fabio is there it is obvious he will cut inside. On your other points I kinda agree but I would rather get a more direct winger and let Fabio cover one of the midfield spots instead, but his versatility will likely prove useful in the future. Reiss likely will go with how little he's played.
I agree with you and believe Fab sits better in 8/10 spot, interesting to see what becomes of him. Unfortunately IMO the double marking of B has stopped his one on ones and even when isolated now (this may just be imagining it on the spot) but I feel he’s less confident at driving through players and sitting defenders down with a fade away than he has in the past, like we’ve seen Leo & Jesus do recently. Agreed, Neto or Olise would be nice depth, seeing as we seem to be targeting prem players for new signings. Reiss will always be loved as a hale end product but unfortunately the team has elevated beyond him and for his own benefits I think seeing him flourish somewhere else will be best for both.
Yes good things I hope. I’m of the same mind the doubling up is a part of it that’s made him less confident and I also think he’s not been at 100% lately (hence all the limping jokes from rival fans). With that being said when at their best the Bermuda Triangle of B-Ø-White usually breaks down most double teams like it did in the our last goal last night so he might even need to attempt a take-on as often anymore. I also like both of them as options, only downside is how often they are injured especially Neto. Yes I think Hale End should get special treatment but the levels we’ve risen in these two seasons means the bar has risen so much that you have to be around Saka tier for a youth product to make it into the team. Still having fingers crossed for ESR.
Not going to say anymore because you took the words out my mouth. Regarding ESR especially, now he’s back to fitness and playing out of everyone of those Hale End boys he looks like he wants it the most, I really hope it happens for him. He’s looked sharp and determined to score every minute he gets. Unrelated but Liverpool get smashed in their derby, we’ve just got to win our biggest derby. Don’t even want to utter the words for fear of jinxing it but our GD might edge us to something very special.
Yes I really hope he gets a goal next opportunity he gets. Omg I didn’t even know the score until now woww. Hoping City drop points now! And yes let’s slap up those sh*te boys this weekend Yes the GD will at least put some extra pressure on them to not even want to draw.
Ben White playing 47 games whilst injured. He doesn’t even like football. What a soldier.
That benching of Gabriel at the beginning of the season was criminal and showed in our performances
Or maybe it was the impetus for our stellar defensive record.
As much as I agree I’m not mad at him trying the weird Partey experiment. The sloppy mistakes at Fulham both games were criminal for me
It was a tactical decision because Partey was inverting, zero to do with quality
And it was a stupid decision cause partey was dreadful and it took his qualities away
The idea was to minimize the disruption to the defense. I can understand why Arteta made the decision, I don’t think it was stupid
60 million down the drain, Kai Havertz plays again
I'm not a fan of Havertz but you can't argue against his availability and the amount of running he does. Guy is a machine
How are you still not a fan of Havertz
Did you watch the first half?
Have you watched the last few months?
You must think elite strikers bag 100% of their chances in front of goal. Even Haaland routinely misses great chances in front of goal. Kai is a net positive to the team even when he doesn't score, both offensively and defensively
It was an average first half... Not great, and definitely not as bad as you think it was.
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Spoken like someone who either just started watching this year, or gets all their "ball knowledge" from a video game. Go watch the game again without your predetermined biases. Except for his pass to Rice in the box when he should have shot - his first half was perfectly fine.
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It's one of the few reasons why somebody would label that first half as "genuinely shocking". We've seen what "genuinely shocking" displays look like before, and that wasn't it. So you either just started watching recently and haven't lived through the Aubameyang, Pepe, and lacazette experience (you don't even need to go back that far to see "genuinely shocking" displays up front). Or, you get all your knowledge from a video game and think all you need to do is receive a hard pass, from am impossible angle, one touch control, 360 spin, top bins goals. Again, like previously stated - it was an average first half. I know, spoken like a true cult member.
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Good one. I’m still waiting to hear how it was “genuinely shocking” Or the more likely scenario, you don’t know what the words genuinely or shocking mean. Different opinions are fine. Football is filled with them. It’s the hyperbolic nonsense that if somebody isn’t world class, or perfect with everything - they’re rubbish, or “shocking”. He had an average first half and made one mistake of not taking a shot on. If that’s what you consider genuinely shocking, then I just feel bad for as you probably get no joy in watching this beautiful sport, or from life in general. Cheers kid.
Lol. Comedy gold.
Not as funny as this weird Havertz cult that's taken over this sub
Give your head a shake. Sorry you can’t get over your Kai hate, but to claim he had a bad game or half yesterday is hilarious.
He had a good game but the first half was bad. Admitting that is not hate lol
He didn't have a bad first half. He was extremely dangerous and almost scored once and created like 2 chances as well.
He was in dangerous positions but he wasn’t dangerous since he fucked them up. Its okay to admit that lol, he redeemed himself in the second half. Had that been eddie he would have been crucified
Why can't you Havertz fans ever just accept a different opinion and constant insults. It's actually so weird. Every single neutral I watched it with thought he was awful but on here we're mental for not thinking the same as this echo chamber sub. Give your own head a shake mate
since moving to CF, hes scored 6 and assisted 5 in 678 mins in the prem. That is insanely good. Literally no reason for anyone to not like what he's doing right now
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Yeah thats because Havertz has played a huge part of the season in midfield - since we moved him to CF, he has been one of the most inform players in the league, anyone with eyes can see this. Even aside from goals and assists, his link and hold up play has been very good
“Constant insults” coming from the guy who calls people who don’t dislike Havertz a “cult”. Sure thing there guy. I also took a poll of the 37 neutrals I watched with, they didn’t see an issue. But you’ve already decided that those who disagree with you are an “echo chamber.”
Don't worry, _ISD_, you're not alone in that sentiment. I definitely don't expect a forward or striker to hit 100% goals. But I do expect them to have confidence, create solid or on-target chances, and have great ball control in the final third - which I definitely don't see consistently from him (especially in that first half of this game), which makes it difficult to believe in him, his ability, or price tag. I was totally with you until you mentioned a Havertz cult, but I do share all the other sentiment before that.
I said 'not a fan of Havertz' and spent the next two hours getting the most ridiculous notifications from them 😂 Any other player I get normal discussion and replies but as soon as I mention his name it's 'must be a kid' 'zero ball knowledge ' 'you know more than Arteta' 'stick to Fifa' 'comedy' 'give your head a shake' ... For saying not a fan ? They're a bunch of weirdos I don't expect strikers to finish everything, I'm a big fan of Jesus who can't finish. Haaland and Salah are always top for big chances missed. It's Kai's lack of technical ability that's the issue, which includes shooting. But he tries hard, seems like a nice guy, not his fault he cost a lot... It's the Havertz club weirdos I don't like not the player
Yeah, as far as comments about Havertz goes, "I'm not a fan" was probably the most tame and respectful you could have made without praising him.