Vik, form, competition and confidence.....

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

Commentators saying that competition for places is why Vik's now scoring.

I think the opposite.

When it was just him {like Jeez last season and Kai the season before} the pressure of not scoring got to them.

Now, the pressure is shared.

If we only had Jeez and he hadn't scored today, moodiness. But Vik came on and given he scored, no questions over our no9 options. No AFC need a CF. And if Vik hadn't had scored, it would still have been both treated equally. Not X gets the blame cos he's a donkey CF.

Jeez said it 2-3 weeks ago. I scored, Vik scored, Kai will score when he's back.

The fact that the 3 of them are sharing the load has taken the pressure off.

And it means that the "finisher" comes on against tired legs and with a different style the oppo manager wasn't able to prepare for at HT.

How many has Vik scored since Jeez and Kai came back? More than in his first half season? Likewise, Jeez and Vik scoring.

The meeja want us to have a Haarland rival, an RVP, a lone 9 who scores over 30 a season.

But if we have 3 who share it around, what's the problem?

I think our 3, since we had them all back, are scoring 1 a game between them. That's Ted Drake levels.

The pressures off Vik now - we have options to come on if he starts and doesn't score. Makes it easier for him.

I like this. Just like Leo stopped stropping and said yeah, I'm happy to timeshare with Gabby - long season, will both have runs of form. And he's playing the best of his career.

I know the plan was to play Vik and Kai at the start of the season. With hindsight, perhaps we should have rotated Vik and MnM when Kai was out?

If Vik wins us the quadruple, do you reckon Rich will just flounce off for ever like Berni* has for whatever reason?

*Maybe he ****ed himself to death when Trump started openly shooting lefties on the street. Or topped himself after another Ashes disaster down under. Hope not - used to get some good recipes off the old Tory.

[Peter]

Commentators saying that competition for places is why Vik's now scoring.

I think the opposite.

When it was just him {like Jeez last season and Kai the season before} the pressure of not scoring got to them.

Now, the pressure is shared.

If we only had Jeez and he hadn't scored today, moodiness. But Vik came on and given he scored, no questions over our no9 options. No AFC need a CF. And if Vik hadn't had scored, it would still have been both treated equally. Not X gets the blame cos he's a donkey CF.

Jeez said it 2-3 weeks ago. I scored, Vik scored, Kai will score when he's back.

The fact that the 3 of them are sharing the load has taken the pressure off.

And it means that the "finisher" comes on against tired legs and with a different style the oppo manager wasn't able to prepare for at HT.

How many has Vik scored since Jeez and Kai came back? More than in his first half season? Likewise, Jeez and Vik scoring.

The meeja want us to have a Haarland rival, an RVP, a lone 9 who scores over 30 a season.

But if we have 3 who share it around, what's the problem?

I think our 3, since we had them all back, are scoring 1 a game between them. That's Ted Drake levels.

The pressures off Vik now - we have options to come on if he starts and doesn't score. Makes it easier for him.

I like this. Just like Leo stopped stropping and said yeah, I'm happy to timeshare with Gabby - long season, will both have runs of form. And he's playing the best of his career.

I know the plan was to play Vik and Kai at the start of the season. With hindsight, perhaps we should have rotated Vik and MnM when Kai was out?

If Vik wins us the quadruple, do you reckon Rich will just flounce off for ever like Berni* has for whatever reason?

*Maybe he ****ed himself to death when Trump started openly shooting lefties on the street. Or topped himself after another Ashes disaster down under. Hope not - used to get some good recipes off the old Tory.

You are never going to have a guy score 30 a season in this side. It just isnt how we play.

And that is good. You dont want to rely on one guy for your goals.

[7sisters]

Commentators saying that competition for places is why Vik's now scoring.

I think the opposite.

When it was just him {like Jeez last season and Kai the season before} the pressure of not scoring got to them.

Now, the pressure is shared.

If we only had Jeez and he hadn't scored today, moodiness. But Vik came on and given he scored, no questions over our no9 options. No AFC need a CF. And if Vik hadn't had scored, it would still have been both treated equally. Not X gets the blame cos he's a donkey CF.

Jeez said it 2-3 weeks ago. I scored, Vik scored, Kai will score when he's back.

The fact that the 3 of them are sharing the load has taken the pressure off.

And it means that the "finisher" comes on against tired legs and with a different style the oppo manager wasn't able to prepare for at HT.

How many has Vik scored since Jeez and Kai came back? More than in his first half season? Likewise, Jeez and Vik scoring.

The meeja want us to have a Haarland rival, an RVP, a lone 9 who scores over 30 a season.

But if we have 3 who share it around, what's the problem?

I think our 3, since we had them all back, are scoring 1 a game between them. That's Ted Drake levels.

The pressures off Vik now - we have options to come on if he starts and doesn't score. Makes it easier for him.

I like this. Just like Leo stopped stropping and said yeah, I'm happy to timeshare with Gabby - long season, will both have runs of form. And he's playing the best of his career.

I know the plan was to play Vik and Kai at the start of the season. With hindsight, perhaps we should have rotated Vik and MnM when Kai was out?

If Vik wins us the quadruple, do you reckon Rich will just flounce off for ever like Berni* has for whatever reason?

*Maybe he ****ed himself to death when Trump started openly shooting lefties on the street. Or topped himself after another Ashes disaster down under. Hope not - used to get some good recipes off the old Tory.

One thing that stands out with this squad. None of the more forward players seems capable of putting together a run of games. The Twitters are hailing Jesus one game and spitting pelters at him the next.
We seem to have a squad of players,designed to put in an excellent shift over 45 minutes. Rice, Gabriel and Timber being the exceptions.
I would include Raya for his superb saves but will hold back on account of him never being too far from a brainfart across the ninety.

[redgunamo]

You are never going to have a guy score 30 a season in this side. It just isnt how we play.

And that is good. You dont want to rely on one guy for your goals.

And we couldn't afford him AND maintain such squad depth, in any case.

Set pieces And Own Goals is our hundred-million pound superstar striker, our Haaland.

People just haven't figured it out yet.

[redgunamo]

Commentators saying that competition for places is why Vik's now scoring.

I think the opposite.

When it was just him {like Jeez last season and Kai the season before} the pressure of not scoring got to them.

Now, the pressure is shared.

If we only had Jeez and he hadn't scored today, moodiness. But Vik came on and given he scored, no questions over our no9 options. No AFC need a CF. And if Vik hadn't had scored, it would still have been both treated equally. Not X gets the blame cos he's a donkey CF.

Jeez said it 2-3 weeks ago. I scored, Vik scored, Kai will score when he's back.

The fact that the 3 of them are sharing the load has taken the pressure off.

And it means that the "finisher" comes on against tired legs and with a different style the oppo manager wasn't able to prepare for at HT.

How many has Vik scored since Jeez and Kai came back? More than in his first half season? Likewise, Jeez and Vik scoring.

The meeja want us to have a Haarland rival, an RVP, a lone 9 who scores over 30 a season.

But if we have 3 who share it around, what's the problem?

I think our 3, since we had them all back, are scoring 1 a game between them. That's Ted Drake levels.

The pressures off Vik now - we have options to come on if he starts and doesn't score. Makes it easier for him.

I like this. Just like Leo stopped stropping and said yeah, I'm happy to timeshare with Gabby - long season, will both have runs of form. And he's playing the best of his career.

I know the plan was to play Vik and Kai at the start of the season. With hindsight, perhaps we should have rotated Vik and MnM when Kai was out?

If Vik wins us the quadruple, do you reckon Rich will just flounce off for ever like Berni* has for whatever reason?

*Maybe he ****ed himself to death when Trump started openly shooting lefties on the street. Or topped himself after another Ashes disaster down under. Hope not - used to get some good recipes off the old Tory.

Excellent post, G. Well said.

[redgunamo]

One thing that stands out with this squad. None of the more forward players seems capable of putting together a run of games. The Twitters are hailing Jesus one game and spitting pelters at him the next.
We seem to have a squad of players,designed to put in an excellent shift over 45 minutes. Rice, Gabriel and Timber being the exceptions.
I would include Raya for his superb saves but will hold back on account of him never being too far from a brainfart across the ninety.

Yes, injuries has really helped us out.

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

Excellent post, G. Well said.

Glad someone got it.

Since we've had Vik, Jeez and Kai all in the matchday squad, I'm now starting to believe. {And more to the point, so is Vik, and Jeez, and Kai.}

Vik now has 6 in 8. Jeez must have what, 3 in that time? Kai's scored one or two as well.

That's more than a goal a game. Ted Drake levels. But the plebs will still say we need a Haarland.

Btw, EPL striker with most goals in 2026 in all comps? Have a guess. Yes, he's a Scandi but.....

[IUFG]

Commentators saying that competition for places is why Vik's now scoring.

I think the opposite.

When it was just him {like Jeez last season and Kai the season before} the pressure of not scoring got to them.

Now, the pressure is shared.

If we only had Jeez and he hadn't scored today, moodiness. But Vik came on and given he scored, no questions over our no9 options. No AFC need a CF. And if Vik hadn't had scored, it would still have been both treated equally. Not X gets the blame cos he's a donkey CF.

Jeez said it 2-3 weeks ago. I scored, Vik scored, Kai will score when he's back.

The fact that the 3 of them are sharing the load has taken the pressure off.

And it means that the "finisher" comes on against tired legs and with a different style the oppo manager wasn't able to prepare for at HT.

How many has Vik scored since Jeez and Kai came back? More than in his first half season? Likewise, Jeez and Vik scoring.

The meeja want us to have a Haarland rival, an RVP, a lone 9 who scores over 30 a season.

But if we have 3 who share it around, what's the problem?

I think our 3, since we had them all back, are scoring 1 a game between them. That's Ted Drake levels.

The pressures off Vik now - we have options to come on if he starts and doesn't score. Makes it easier for him.

I like this. Just like Leo stopped stropping and said yeah, I'm happy to timeshare with Gabby - long season, will both have runs of form. And he's playing the best of his career.

I know the plan was to play Vik and Kai at the start of the season. With hindsight, perhaps we should have rotated Vik and MnM when Kai was out?

If Vik wins us the quadruple, do you reckon Rich will just flounce off for ever like Berni* has for whatever reason?

*Maybe he ****ed himself to death when Trump started openly shooting lefties on the street. Or topped himself after another Ashes disaster down under. Hope not - used to get some good recipes off the old Tory.

Gyok looked great (from 112) today. Really pleased for him.

I was worried for a while today... but I always think this.

Why are we not trusting this anxiety inducing playing out from the back and game management mode when we more often than not get through the match successfully?

Deeply scarred. Innit.

[7sisters]

Gyok looked great (from 112) today. Really pleased for him.

I was worried for a while today... but I always think this.

Why are we not trusting this anxiety inducing playing out from the back and game management mode when we more often than not get through the match successfully?

Deeply scarred. Innit.

Hindsight and all that but think we missed a trick with Etikite. Saw bits of him last season, usual highlights stuff, when he was at Frankfurt and thought he looked a real prospect. Great feet.
Oh well

[Peter]

Hindsight and all that but think we missed a trick with Etikite. Saw bits of him last season, usual highlights stuff, when he was at Frankfurt and thought he looked a real prospect. Great feet.
Oh well

He has been by far the most impressive of the new centre forwards this season. But that doesn't mean he would have been right for us.....

And at this point, he has only scored one goal more than young Vik.

[redgunamo]

Hindsight and all that but think we missed a trick with Etikite. Saw bits of him last season, usual highlights stuff, when he was at Frankfurt and thought he looked a real prospect. Great feet.
Oh well

Had plenty of his sort. I wanted someone who only wants to shoot.

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

Hindsight and all that but think we missed a trick with Etikite. Saw bits of him last season, usual highlights stuff, when he was at Frankfurt and thought he looked a real prospect. Great feet.
Oh well

Some people take longer to adapt than others. Zubi's fitted in straight away - and Ganpati willing he'll score more goals for us this season than the ten he got in 5 full season {plus a couple with a few appearances when he was starting} at Sociedad. That would be a real bonus given we just got him as world class DM.

But others take half a season or whatever. DB10 went something like 9 or 10 games before he scored. Titi got 2 in his first half season, that's why we got Sukur for a year so he could settle slowly without the pressure.}

Vik's second half season has coincided with Jeez and Kai coming back and he's one Player of the month for us with 6 in his last 8 and I think 2 assists. That's with Jeez and Kai also scoring as CF when he's been on the bench or substituted. The pressure on him reduced once the other two came back and started scoring and as a result his confidence is sky high and Ganpati willing will keep getting even stronger.

[Peter]

Some people take longer to adapt than others. Zubi's fitted in straight away - and Ganpati willing he'll score more goals for us this season than the ten he got in 5 full season {plus a couple with a few appearances when he was starting} at Sociedad. That would be a real bonus given we just got him as world class DM.

But others take half a season or whatever. DB10 went something like 9 or 10 games before he scored. Titi got 2 in his first half season, that's why we got Sukur for a year so he could settle slowly without the pressure.}

Vik's second half season has coincided with Jeez and Kai coming back and he's one Player of the month for us with 6 in his last 8 and I think 2 assists. That's with Jeez and Kai also scoring as CF when he's been on the bench or substituted. The pressure on him reduced once the other two came back and started scoring and as a result his confidence is sky high and Ganpati willing will keep getting even stronger.

I dont think we have seen the best of Zubimendi yet. We've seen how good he is, but his biggest selling points are ticking over possession and never giving the ball away. He isnt there yet. We'll see the best of him from next season.

Look at the difference in Calafiori. It isnt that he has suddenly become a much better player. He has just adjusted to the pace and aggression of the league. Zubimendi will do the same.

The really surprising one is Mosquera. So young, yet looked like he belonged from the first minute. He'll improve on the ball but I have been hugely impressed with his first season. So far.

[IUFG]

Hindsight and all that but think we missed a trick with Etikite.

He's playing like an out of form Nketiah today :facepalm:

[IUFG]

He's playing like an out of form Nketiah today :facepalm:

And Shirley a dogso against Guehi there?