Has anyone else noticed that since Zinny was injured

[WES]

we are much more stable at the back and keeping clean sheets.

Without any noticeable drop off in scoring goals, quite the opposite

:hide:

[Pat Vegas]

we are much more stable at the back and keeping clean sheets.

Without any noticeable drop off in scoring goals, quite the opposite

:hide:

I think our two former Man City players do not immediately get into the starting xi when they are back. Trossard and Havertz are playing nicely together too

[WES]

I think our two former Man City players do not immediately get into the starting xi when they are back. Trossard and Havertz are playing nicely together too

Well, we're scoring for fun so hard to see Arteta making many changes up front or in midfield.

Amazing given that we have a DM who can't pass between the lines.

:wave: Peter

[redgunamo]

we are much more stable at the back and keeping clean sheets.

Without any noticeable drop off in scoring goals, quite the opposite

:hide:

Yes, my boy told me awhile back that he (Zinny) was a midfielder by trade but essentially too good to be left out yet not disciplined ("beefy" as Anaconda might say) enough to be trusted to hold the middle of the park together.

Playing him at full-back is simply the best compromise anybody's come up with. Risk versus Reward and a' that.

[WES]

Yes, my boy told me awhile back that he (Zinny) was a midfielder by trade but essentially too good to be left out yet not disciplined ("beefy" as Anaconda might say) enough to be trusted to hold the middle of the park together.

Playing him at full-back is simply the best compromise anybody's come up with. Risk versus Reward and a' that.

True, but perhaps we've discovered that the risk is not needed as the other players are getting used to each other and/or playing at a higher level so we're scoring goals without the need for a risky left back.

Personally, red, I'm with George - let's get it right at the back :nod:

[PSRB]

True, but perhaps we've discovered that the risk is not needed as the other players are getting used to each other and/or playing at a higher level so we're scoring goals without the need for a risky left back.

Personally, red, I'm with George - let's get it right at the back :nod:

Kiwior getting better and better each match. Wasn't much of a fan to begin with but beginning to warm to him now.

[IUFG]

we are much more stable at the back and keeping clean sheets.

Without any noticeable drop off in scoring goals, quite the opposite

:hide:

He's a midfielder. How anyone thinks he's a defender, is beyond me.

[redgunamo]

Kiwior getting better and better each match. Wasn't much of a fan to begin with but beginning to warm to him now.

Decent work for our fourth. Should've trusted him earlier last season; he was a big part of the reason we won the January transfer window. Signed him because we didn't much fancy Rob Holding anymore but then we played Rob anyway :-(

[redgunamo]

He's a midfielder. How anyone thinks he's a defender, is beyond me.

He's like Flamini. He works at full-back so long as he never gets caught actually playing in the full-back position (which Flamini did not, of course). Well-covered on the inside by Senderos and ahead by Reyes; those balls in behind had to be perfect. And they never were, rarely are.

[redgunamo]

True, but perhaps we've discovered that the risk is not needed as the other players are getting used to each other and/or playing at a higher level so we're scoring goals without the need for a risky left back.

Personally, red, I'm with George - let's get it right at the back :nod:

No point defending if you can't score goals. George knew that. #9

[IUFG]

He's like Flamini. He works at full-back so long as he never gets caught actually playing in the full-back position (which Flamini did not, of course). Well-covered on the inside by Senderos and ahead by Reyes; those balls in behind had to be perfect. And they never were, rarely are.

Flamini, despite not liking the FB position, was better at it than Zinny is imo.

I don't remember the opposition targetting MF like they do OZ

[WES]

Flamini, despite not liking the FB position, was better at it than Zinny is imo.

I don't remember the opposition targetting MF like they do OZ

We made the CL final with a back four of Eboue Toure Senderos and Flamini :hehe:

Funny ole game :shrug:

[7sisters]

Well, we're scoring for fun so hard to see Arteta making many changes up front or in midfield.

Amazing given that we have a DM who can't pass between the lines.

:wave: Peter

It’s looking more likely by the week that ESR and Jesus are both crocks and can’t be relied upon across a season. Luxury players, if you will.
Zinny comes close on that score but appears to be more volatile. The longer time passes without playing, he’s going to hurl his toys out the pram. Probably end with him cling filming Arteta’s personal toilet at Colney tbh.

[IUFG]

We made the CL final with a back four of Eboue Toure Senderos and Flamini :hehe:

Funny ole game :shrug:

one of the 109 games Almunia should never have played in...

[redgunamo]

Flamini, despite not liking the FB position, was better at it than Zinny is imo.

I don't remember the opposition targetting MF like they do OZ

They all tried but, as I say, it just didn't work. We were ready for it. Spurs, I think, finally had some joy late on in the experiment.

[Peter]

Well, we're scoring for fun so hard to see Arteta making many changes up front or in midfield.

Amazing given that we have a DM who can't pass between the lines.

:wave: Peter

In tight areas, he still can't. Although he is getting better.

The difference is not Zinchenko being missing. It is the use of Ben White as an inverted full back on the other side in the last two games. Kiwior is clearly far more comfortable as a conventional left back or centre back. White is adjusting to the role pretty nicely.

[Luis Anaconda]

In tight areas, he still can't. Although he is getting better.

The difference is not Zinchenko being missing. It is the use of Ben White as an inverted full back on the other side in the last two games. Kiwior is clearly far more comfortable as a conventional left back or centre back. White is adjusting to the role pretty nicely.
Ben White is a very very useful footballer. Funny how no one really mentions his fee anymore

[PSRB]

Ben White is a very very useful footballer. Funny how no one really mentions his fee anymore

Whilst his non-selection for England is ridiculous, it's also very helpful for us.

[Peter]

Ben White is a very very useful footballer. Funny how no one really mentions his fee anymore

He really is. Sometimes a big fee can begin to look like an absolute steal over time.

I am stunned we haven't tried him in this role before. It seems perfect for him. Only downside is it reduces Saka's overlap options- but then when you have a right foot as good as his that matters less :-)

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

We made the CL final with a back four of Eboue Toure Senderos and Flamini :hehe:

Funny ole game :shrug:

And they didn't concede a goal in the knock-outs.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

In tight areas, he still can't. Although he is getting better.

The difference is not Zinchenko being missing. It is the use of Ben White as an inverted full back on the other side in the last two games. Kiwior is clearly far more comfortable as a conventional left back or centre back. White is adjusting to the role pretty nicely.

Very talented and under-rated footballer. If that pelanty-bottling twunt in a waistcoat can't see it, I hope England get knocked out early. Give Saka, Dec etc more time on the beach.

[Luis Anaconda]

Whilst his non-selection for England is ridiculous, it's also very helpful for us.

Indeed. Still no idea what the issue was there but he's seems happy to play for us

[WES]

In tight areas, he still can't. Although he is getting better.

The difference is not Zinchenko being missing. It is the use of Ben White as an inverted full back on the other side in the last two games. Kiwior is clearly far more comfortable as a conventional left back or centre back. White is adjusting to the role pretty nicely.

Well, Zinny being missing has led to a conventional left back and White therefore playing as the inverted full back, both of which have improved the team.

So yes, it is because Zinny is missing. :-)

[Peter]

Well, Zinny being missing has led to a conventional left back and White therefore playing as the inverted full back, both of which have improved the team.

So yes, it is because Zinny is missing. :-)

No. It isn't :-)

[Peter]

Decent work for our fourth. Should've trusted him earlier last season; he was a big part of the reason we won the January transfer window. Signed him because we didn't much fancy Rob Holding anymore but then we played Rob anyway :-(

Actually, I think we signed him because Arteta didn't fancy Tierney and needed another left footed option in defence.

[Peter]

No point defending if you can't score goals. George knew that. #9

Surely that makes it even more important?

[Luis Anaconda]

Well, Zinny being missing has led to a conventional left back and White therefore playing as the inverted full back, both of which have improved the team.

So yes, it is because Zinny is missing. :-)

Ah yes Kiwior is a conventional left back :hehe:

[Peter]

Ah yes Kiwior is a conventional left back :hehe:

To be fair, that was my wording and I meant 'non inverted' more than conventional.

[Luis Anaconda]

To be fair, that was my wording and I meant 'non inverted' more than conventional.

Fair enough

[Peter]

Fair enough

Does he get an assist for the throw in? :-)

[Luis Anaconda]

Does he get an assist for the throw in? :-)

I hope so - lovely run for the fourth goal as well

[redgunamo]

Surely that makes it even more important?

Good point.

In my defence, so to speak, I pinched that one from Sir I.V.A. Richards. Cricketers, see. What do they know about football.

[Luis Anaconda]

Good point.

In my defence, so to speak, I pinched that one from Sir I.V.A. Richards. Cricketers, see. What do they know about football.

Even Denis Compton was less successful than his brother

[redgunamo]

Even Denis Compton was less successful than his brother

Les was a footballer who played a bit of cricket, as I understand it?

[redgunamo]

It’s looking more likely by the week that ESR and Jesus are both crocks and can’t be relied upon across a season. Luxury players, if you will.
Zinny comes close on that score but appears to be more volatile. The longer time passes without playing, he’s going to hurl his toys out the pram. Probably end with him cling filming Arteta’s personal toilet at Colney tbh.

Arteta has a personal toilet at Colney? No wonder we can't afford Mbappe.

[Peter]

I hope so - lovely run for the fourth goal as well

It really is quite incredible how often we are getting behind teams from throw ins. Just shows how easily footballers switch off.

Brilliant work from Arteta and the coaching staff. The last side who carried this much threat from throw ins needed a towel....

[Peter]

Good point.

In my defence, so to speak, I pinched that one from Sir I.V.A. Richards. Cricketers, see. What do they know about football.

He talked a good game, Viv.

Played the odd one here and there as well :-)

[redgunamo]

He talked a good game, Viv.

Played the odd one here and there as well :-)

Yes. Sadly, not when I was watching. They (the Windians) used to come up to us at Warborough each summer when I was a child; Botham/Foster charity thing.

[Peter]

Yes. Sadly, not when I was watching. They (the Windians) used to come up to us at Warborough each summer when I was a child; Botham/Foster charity thing.

I think he needed a challenge to rise to. He couldn't be bothered with bowlers who weren't good enough to bowl to him :-)

[redgunamo]

I think he needed a challenge to rise to. He couldn't be bothered with bowlers who weren't good enough to bowl to him :-)

Not very charitable :-\

[Peter]

Not very charitable :-\

You don't ask Van Gogh to paint your bathroom.

[redgunamo]

You don't ask Van Gogh to paint your bathroom.

There you are then, that's where he went wrong. Van Gogh was a pauper his whole life.

[Luis Anaconda]

I think he needed a challenge to rise to. He couldn't be bothered with bowlers who weren't good enough to bowl to him :-)

I'm not sure there were many

[Luis Anaconda]

Les was a footballer who played a bit of cricket, as I understand it?
His was a centre half and a wicket keeper - not sure where that leaves him

Also owned the Flask in Highgate - one of my favourite pubs *




*yes not a short list I admit