Noni and Vik. Devil's advocate.

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

Despite the naysayers here, Vik did win us the league and get us to a CL final. But last night I saw how much better we are with false 9 as opposed to a pwoppa old skool striker. The difference when Kai came on was huge. I just think that Vik's better in an open game as opposed to playing a parked bus.

Apparently we were the only team to win away from home in the CL last night, and we had the ball around their box for most of the match. You need skilled flicks and link-ups. If MA hadn't flogged Gabby, we could see if Easy could play false 9. Esp when in the league, with Ricky C, we've been attacking with 6. The FBs and wingers swap, and the 9/10 swap in the attacking line of 6 across the pitch. I just hope this doesn't become an issue and we find the way to use Vik in this style of play. That pass to B with the outside of his right was sublime - Mersonesque.

Noni should have scored but he was involved and played well. It wasn't that much of a drop off from a B who was fine except his finishing.

If Kaiser, Quantum and Ødin get injured all at the same time, we're ****ed.

[WES]

Despite the naysayers here, Vik did win us the league and get us to a CL final. But last night I saw how much better we are with false 9 as opposed to a pwoppa old skool striker. The difference when Kai came on was huge. I just think that Vik's better in an open game as opposed to playing a parked bus.

Apparently we were the only team to win away from home in the CL last night, and we had the ball around their box for most of the match. You need skilled flicks and link-ups. If MA hadn't flogged Gabby, we could see if Easy could play false 9. Esp when in the league, with Ricky C, we've been attacking with 6. The FBs and wingers swap, and the 9/10 swap in the attacking line of 6 across the pitch. I just hope this doesn't become an issue and we find the way to use Vik in this style of play. That pass to B with the outside of his right was sublime - Mersonesque.

Noni should have scored but he was involved and played well. It wasn't that much of a drop off from a B who was fine except his finishing.

If Kaiser, Quantum and Ødin get injured all at the same time, we're ****ed.

As I pointed out many times last year, Gyok was not purchased to replace Kai, who is our first choice striker, he was purchased to provide depth and a different option up front. And he proved last year that he was capable of that. He just needs more minutes to recover his form.

If Arteta decides we can only really play with a false 9, then I guess Merino is the next choice after Kai.

The Madueke hating comes from frustration, I think. He clearly has ability on the ball, but he is utterly clueless when it comes to decision making. He is so one dimensional it makes me ill. I expect that we bought him with the belief that Arteta could bring the best out of a physically talented player through teaching and training.

So far it hasn't worked.

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

As I pointed out many times last year, Gyok was not purchased to replace Kai, who is our first choice striker, he was purchased to provide depth and a different option up front. And he proved last year that he was capable of that. He just needs more minutes to recover his form.

If Arteta decides we can only really play with a false 9, then I guess Merino is the next choice after Kai.

The Madueke hating comes from frustration, I think. He clearly has ability on the ball, but he is utterly clueless when it comes to decision making. He is so one dimensional it makes me ill. I expect that we bought him with the belief that Arteta could bring the best out of a physically talented player through teaching and training.

So far it hasn't worked.

Noni wasn't that bad last night, was he? We scored with him on.

I just think if we're going away against one of Italy's top teams and they park the bus, we'll be playing against that a lot and that isn't Vik's strength. Against a team that gives it a go, with some channels he can run, fine. But last night it was all about creativity around the edge of the box. The outside foot pass was great, but nothing like the intricate one touch play that led to the goal, Kai's dummies etc.

[pjlincs]

Noni wasn't that bad last night, was he? We scored with him on.

He was. For starters he should've scored what would've been the second goal and taken the pressure off.

As I mentioned elsewhere, my preference was for Dowman to come on for Saka.

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

He was. For starters he should've scored what would've been the second goal and taken the pressure off.

As I mentioned elsewhere, my preference was for Dowman to come on for Saka.

But Kai missed the same chance at 1-0 up against Villa. And he got offside. While Noni didn't and still created a chance for Quantum after the save. Let's give him a break while we're not dropping points.

And with GabbyGol gone, we still have a hundred million of dry powder for Jan or for an even bigger summer. The doctor will get more chances and come through. Ethan will, Ganpati willing, have an amazing season on loan.

People moan about Noni and Vik and Easy and Zubi lost his place to MLS and then we signed Bruno. Yet with Kai, Ødin and B injured for large parts of the season - I think they started together just once - those players won us the title.

We really do need to try to remember that.