I watched our game last night.

[Sir C]

I'm not 100% sure how or, indeed, why, but there you go.

It was rather interesting, if it represented a glimpse at our style under Unai. There was less of a high press than I expected but quite high intensity in midfield and an obvioous emphasis on winning the ball and then getting it forward quickly. I can't say I found it particularly attractive but obviously it's extremely early days.

At the back we still looked like The Arsenal, so that was encouraging.

A question continued to puzzle me though. What is Mkihytaryhanh's actual position? Like, what's he s'posed to do? (I'm not saying he's a poor player, just that I've never really understood his role.)

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

A question continued to puzzle me though. What is Mkihytaryhanh's actual position? Like, what's he s'posed to do? (I'm not saying he's a poor player, just that I've never really understood his role.)

Utility man.

[Sir C]

Utility man.

What does this mean, exactly?

[Luis Anaconda]

What does this mean, exactly?

Ask Laundry

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

What does this mean, exactly?

In football, like other sports, the utility man is usually a player who can play myriad positions. This will commonly be defence and midfield, sometimes defence and attack. A few outfield players have also made competent substitute goalkeepers, for example Phil Jagielka, Jan Koller (originally trained as a goalkeeper before converting into a striker) and Cosmin Moți. But in the case of goalkeepers playing as outfield players, it is extremely rare. Some may be free kick and penalty specialists (Rogério Ceni, José Luis Chilavert and Jorge Campos), but they do not hold a role in the outfield. John O'Shea, a former Manchester United player, is a famous example for playing in all positions in his United career. More recently, another Manchester United player, Phil Jones, has become a utility player being used as a right back, and centre back as well as taking up both defensive and more attacking midfield roles. The former Bulgarian international and Sporting Lisbon player Ivaylo Yordanov has played in all three outfield roles. Former Scottish international and Rangers F.C. captain Lee McCulloch also played in every outfield role for the club. Former Dutch international and Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Milan player Ruud Gullit played as a defender, midfielder and striker, changing his position even within a single game to accommodate the gaps caused by substitutions.

Perhaps an early example (though before the term gained popular usage) was England 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters (who famously scored in that final), who played in every position- including briefly as goalkeeper- for West Ham United.

[WES]

In football, like other sports, the utility man is usually a player who can play myriad positions. This will commonly be defence and midfield, sometimes defence and attack. A few outfield players have also made competent substitute goalkeepers, for example Phil Jagielka, Jan Koller (originally trained as a goalkeeper before converting into a striker) and Cosmin Moți. But in the case of goalkeepers playing as outfield players, it is extremely rare. Some may be free kick and penalty specialists (Rogério Ceni, José Luis Chilavert and Jorge Campos), but they do not hold a role in the outfield. John O'Shea, a former Manchester United player, is a famous example for playing in all positions in his United career. More recently, another Manchester United player, Phil Jones, has become a utility player being used as a right back, and centre back as well as taking up both defensive and more attacking midfield roles. The former Bulgarian international and Sporting Lisbon player Ivaylo Yordanov has played in all three outfield roles. Former Scottish international and Rangers F.C. captain Lee McCulloch also played in every outfield role for the club. Former Dutch international and Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Milan player Ruud Gullit played as a defender, midfielder and striker, changing his position even within a single game to accommodate the gaps caused by substitutions.

Perhaps an early example (though before the term gained popular usage) was England 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters (who famously scored in that final), who played in every position- including briefly as goalkeeper- for West Ham United.

What form of deviant/pervert did you copy n paste that from mate? :sherlock:

[Tony C]

What the...man be writing a thesis on utility men.

[Sir C]

In football, like other sports, the utility man is usually a player who can play myriad positions. This will commonly be defence and midfield, sometimes defence and attack. A few outfield players have also made competent substitute goalkeepers, for example Phil Jagielka, Jan Koller (originally trained as a goalkeeper before converting into a striker) and Cosmin Moți. But in the case of goalkeepers playing as outfield players, it is extremely rare. Some may be free kick and penalty specialists (Rogério Ceni, José Luis Chilavert and Jorge Campos), but they do not hold a role in the outfield. John O'Shea, a former Manchester United player, is a famous example for playing in all positions in his United career. More recently, another Manchester United player, Phil Jones, has become a utility player being used as a right back, and centre back as well as taking up both defensive and more attacking midfield roles. The former Bulgarian international and Sporting Lisbon player Ivaylo Yordanov has played in all three outfield roles. Former Scottish international and Rangers F.C. captain Lee McCulloch also played in every outfield role for the club. Former Dutch international and Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Milan player Ruud Gullit played as a defender, midfielder and striker, changing his position even within a single game to accommodate the gaps caused by substitutions.

Perhaps an early example (though before the term gained popular usage) was England 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters (who famously scored in that final), who played in every position- including briefly as goalkeeper- for West Ham United.

tl;dr.

WHAT DOES THE ****ER DO?

[Billy Goat Sverige]

I'm not 100% sure how or, indeed, why, but there you go.

It was rather interesting, if it represented a glimpse at our style under Unai. There was less of a high press than I expected but quite high intensity in midfield and an obvioous emphasis on winning the ball and then getting it forward quickly. I can't say I found it particularly attractive but obviously it's extremely early days.

At the back we still looked like The Arsenal, so that was encouraging.

A question continued to puzzle me though. What is Mkihytaryhanh's actual position? Like, what's he s'posed to do? (I'm not saying he's a poor player, just that I've never really understood his role.)

Hopefully his position is on the bench and Lacazette and Aubameyang start.

[Pat Vegas]

What does this mean, exactly?

He reads meters that sort of thing.

[SWv2]

I'm not 100% sure how or, indeed, why, but there you go.

It was rather interesting, if it represented a glimpse at our style under Unai. There was less of a high press than I expected but quite high intensity in midfield and an obvioous emphasis on winning the ball and then getting it forward quickly. I can't say I found it particularly attractive but obviously it's extremely early days.

At the back we still looked like The Arsenal, so that was encouraging.

A question continued to puzzle me though. What is Mkihytaryhanh's actual position? Like, what's he s'posed to do? (I'm not saying he's a poor player, just that I've never really understood his role.)

Well then.

As a seasoned pre-season friendly attendee I can say it was a strange experience. I could not get over how serious some chaps were taking it, especially the (estimate) 60 year old bloke two rows in front of me who spent large portions of the game on his feet giving rude hand gestures and shouting “fúck off you ****s” at the various Chelsea supporters around us, of which there were many, a lot more than I may have expected. I mean roaring and I am not sure he was even that very drunk, just excited.

There was a chorus of “stand up if you hate Tottenham ..” which I also found odd, on a Wednesday evening, in Dublin, at a training exercise.

Football wise it was fun to watch.

Tactically, and I apologise if this is over your head, I did note the extremely high line we appeared to be taking and with the duo of Mustafi and Sokratis I am unsure how this will pan out. I thought the latter did okay given the first time he has trialled for me. He certainly lashed out a good *******ing to Cech at one point.

They had a young lad on the wing who was extremely good, took young Bellerin to the cleaners at times but you know, it was a friendly so relax.

The shiny new kid who is the best new kid since the last kid did fúck all really and stood out as he wore white long sleeves under his shirt. No other reason.

Sideshow Bob is lively, always showing for the ball and trying to start things but gets caught in possession a lot, even in a pre-season friendly.

And our kit no longer looks red, which was a pity.

And Alvaro Morata, LOL.

€6.50 for a hot dog, I said no.

I bought a soft drink and they removed the lid in case I threw it at opposition supporters. For real. Me.

Any idea from the coverage as to why Ramsey missed out?

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

I'm not 100% sure how or, indeed, why, but there you go.

It was rather interesting, if it represented a glimpse at our style under Unai. There was less of a high press than I expected but quite high intensity in midfield and an obvioous emphasis on winning the ball and then getting it forward quickly. I can't say I found it particularly attractive but obviously it's extremely early days.

At the back we still looked like The Arsenal, so that was encouraging.

A question continued to puzzle me though. What is Mkihytaryhanh's actual position? Like, what's he s'posed to do? (I'm not saying he's a poor player, just that I've never really understood his role.)

the hole c. Pretty much my strategy with your mum.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Tactically, and I apologise if this is over your head, I did note the extremely high line we appeared to be taking ...

Top Monty work there s .. a post threatening to deliver tactical insight but saying nothing beyond the usual "high line" bollux.

[7sisters]

Well then.

As a seasoned pre-season friendly attendee I can say it was a strange experience. I could not get over how serious some chaps were taking it, especially the (estimate) 60 year old bloke two rows in front of me who spent large portions of the game on his feet giving rude hand gestures and shouting “fúck off you ****s” at the various Chelsea supporters around us, of which there were many, a lot more than I may have expected. I mean roaring and I am not sure he was even that very drunk, just excited.

There was a chorus of “stand up if you hate Tottenham ..” which I also found odd, on a Wednesday evening, in Dublin, at a training exercise.

Football wise it was fun to watch.

Tactically, and I apologise if this is over your head, I did note the extremely high line we appeared to be taking and with the duo of Mustafi and Sokratis I am unsure how this will pan out. I thought the latter did okay given the first time he has trialled for me. He certainly lashed out a good *******ing to Cech at one point.

They had a young lad on the wing who was extremely good, took young Bellerin to the cleaners at times but you know, it was a friendly so relax.

The shiny new kid who is the best new kid since the last kid did fúck all really and stood out as he wore white long sleeves under his shirt. No other reason.

Sideshow Bob is lively, always showing for the ball and trying to start things but gets caught in possession a lot, even in a pre-season friendly.

And our kit no longer looks red, which was a pity.

And Alvaro Morata, LOL.

€6.50 for a hot dog, I said no.

I bought a soft drink and they removed the lid in case I threw it at opposition supporters. For real. Me.

Any idea from the coverage as to why Ramsey missed out?

The claim was that he pulled up with a muscle strain during the warm up..
Which I took to mean, the swap deal with Barca for Dembele was back on..

[Sir C]

Well then.

As a seasoned pre-season friendly attendee I can say it was a strange experience. I could not get over how serious some chaps were taking it, especially the (estimate) 60 year old bloke two rows in front of me who spent large portions of the game on his feet giving rude hand gestures and shouting “fúck off you ****s” at the various Chelsea supporters around us, of which there were many, a lot more than I may have expected. I mean roaring and I am not sure he was even that very drunk, just excited.

There was a chorus of “stand up if you hate Tottenham ..” which I also found odd, on a Wednesday evening, in Dublin, at a training exercise.

Football wise it was fun to watch.

Tactically, and I apologise if this is over your head, I did note the extremely high line we appeared to be taking and with the duo of Mustafi and Sokratis I am unsure how this will pan out. I thought the latter did okay given the first time he has trialled for me. He certainly lashed out a good *******ing to Cech at one point.

They had a young lad on the wing who was extremely good, took young Bellerin to the cleaners at times but you know, it was a friendly so relax.

The shiny new kid who is the best new kid since the last kid did fúck all really and stood out as he wore white long sleeves under his shirt. No other reason.

Sideshow Bob is lively, always showing for the ball and trying to start things but gets caught in possession a lot, even in a pre-season friendly.

And our kit no longer looks red, which was a pity.

And Alvaro Morata, LOL.

€6.50 for a hot dog, I said no.

I bought a soft drink and they removed the lid in case I threw it at opposition supporters. For real. Me.

Any idea from the coverage as to why Ramsey missed out?

Thanks for that full report. Most erudite and interesting. I had no idea that Ramsey 'missed out' because I am not the sort of chap to enjoy sexual congress with children :thumbup:

[Just Trent]

Hopefully his position is on the bench and Lacazette and Aubameyang start.

The 'can you afford to play Ozil and Mkhitaryan together' debate probably isn't far away. It wasn't really an issue last season when most of the players didn't turn up. Might be a bit more noticeable this year.

[7sisters]

The 'can you afford to play Ozil and Mkhitaryan together' debate probably isn't far away. It wasn't really an issue last season when most of the players didn't turn up. Might be a bit more noticeable this year.

Indeed. I see him as a bit of a Netto Ozil. A decent enough player with a tendency to drift in and out of games.

[Rich]

Hopefully his position is on the bench and Lacazette and Aubameyang start.

Ramsey off to Barca with Dembele coming the other way. Thoughts?

[Rich]

Well then.

As a seasoned pre-season friendly attendee I can say it was a strange experience. I could not get over how serious some chaps were taking it, especially the (estimate) 60 year old bloke two rows in front of me who spent large portions of the game on his feet giving rude hand gestures and shouting “fúck off you ****s” at the various Chelsea supporters around us, of which there were many, a lot more than I may have expected. I mean roaring and I am not sure he was even that very drunk, just excited.

There was a chorus of “stand up if you hate Tottenham ..” which I also found odd, on a Wednesday evening, in Dublin, at a training exercise.

Football wise it was fun to watch.

Tactically, and I apologise if this is over your head, I did note the extremely high line we appeared to be taking and with the duo of Mustafi and Sokratis I am unsure how this will pan out. I thought the latter did okay given the first time he has trialled for me. He certainly lashed out a good *******ing to Cech at one point.

They had a young lad on the wing who was extremely good, took young Bellerin to the cleaners at times but you know, it was a friendly so relax.

The shiny new kid who is the best new kid since the last kid did fúck all really and stood out as he wore white long sleeves under his shirt. No other reason.

Sideshow Bob is lively, always showing for the ball and trying to start things but gets caught in possession a lot, even in a pre-season friendly.

And our kit no longer looks red, which was a pity.

And Alvaro Morata, LOL.

€6.50 for a hot dog, I said no.

I bought a soft drink and they removed the lid in case I threw it at opposition supporters. For real. Me.

Any idea from the coverage as to why Ramsey missed out?

Off to Barca. Osumane Dembele coming the other way.

[SWv2]

Top Monty work there s .. a post threatening to deliver tactical insight but saying nothing beyond the usual "high line" bollux.

It was really the only thing of note H. There seemed to be a lot of green space between the defenders and goal, perhaps this was because the game was in Ireland where we know legend and marketing suggests everything is green.

Otherwise it was all as before, lots and lots of passing and sometimes over passing. Almost as if it were a training exercise.

I had prepared myself for a veritable footballing press-fest given the media reporting but none arrived.

Mind you we were playing without our entire midfield.

[Billy Goat Sverige]

It was really the only thing of note H. There seemed to be a lot of green space between the defenders and goal, perhaps this was because the game was in Ireland where we know legend and marketing suggests everything is green.

Otherwise it was all as before, lots and lots of passing and sometimes over passing. Almost as if it were a training exercise.

I had prepared myself for a veritable footballing press-fest given the media reporting but none arrived.

Mind you we were playing without our entire midfield.

The pressing wasn’t very evident last night, nor in the first half against PSG. I think it will be better with Ramsey in the side and with Lacazette starting up front (his pressing and tracking back is a very underrated part of his game).

[Pat Vegas]

I watched it on EIR sport 2.

I like when Lacazetty was announced as a sub.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

It was really the only thing of note H. There seemed to be a lot of green space between the defenders and goal, perhaps this was because the game was in Ireland where we know legend and marketing suggests everything is green.

Otherwise it was all as before, lots and lots of passing and sometimes over passing. Almost as if it were a training exercise.

I had prepared myself for a veritable footballing press-fest given the media reporting but none arrived.

Mind you we were playing without our entire midfield.

A training exercise is all any friendly ever is. I cannot bring myself to watch them - porno with no cum shot.

[Billy Goat Sverige]

Is that the same coverage where the **** couldn’t say Aubameyang? He kept saying “Angeyangayang”.

[Just Trent]

The pressing wasn’t very evident last night, nor in the first half against PSG. I think it will be better with Ramsey in the side and with Lacazette starting up front (his pressing and tracking back is a very underrated part of his game).

:nod: Throw Torreira in there and things will start to take shape a bit more. Hopefully we'll see a much better Xhaka as well. We've actually got some decent options in CM this season

[Pat Vegas]

Is that the same coverage where the **** couldn’t say Aubameyang? He kept saying “Angeyangayang”.

:nod: and MacItarian.