So we're top of the table despite everyone moaning.....

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

We've played LFC, ManU and NU away and City at home.

The only goals we've conceded are a world class FK in a game we were as good as them. A counter attack after a Gabby error in a game we totally dominated. And a set piece from a Triphop sliced clearance that we then went on to win.

And won both CL games so far and the LC game 2-0. Despite having Jeez, Kai and Noni out, the skipper being injured every time he starts and coming off before HT for 3 matches in a row {a PL record} and B being injured.

I think we'd have taken this at the start of the season. Not the injuries, obviously, but how we've dealt with them. Let's just pray that Odin's back after the interlull, and we can keep this up until Kai and Noni are back with Vik continuing to improve.

Only dropped points in 2 games so far, and the three goals coming from set pieces and/or mistakes. It could have been far worse. Remember how we felt when we were 5 pts off the top after 5 games and everyone was moaning about the handbrake and saying MA was finished?

[redgunamo]

We've played LFC, ManU and NU away and City at home.

The only goals we've conceded are a world class FK in a game we were as good as them. A counter attack after a Gabby error in a game we totally dominated. And a set piece from a Triphop sliced clearance that we then went on to win.

And won both CL games so far and the LC game 2-0. Despite having Jeez, Kai and Noni out, the skipper being injured every time he starts and coming off before HT for 3 matches in a row {a PL record} and B being injured.

I think we'd have taken this at the start of the season. Not the injuries, obviously, but how we've dealt with them. Let's just pray that Odin's back after the interlull, and we can keep this up until Kai and Noni are back with Vik continuing to improve.

Only dropped points in 2 games so far, and the three goals coming from set pieces and/or mistakes. It could have been far worse. Remember how we felt when we were 5 pts off the top after 5 games and everyone was moaning about the handbrake and saying MA was finished?

We've been terrific. Really very good.

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

We've been terrific. Really very good.

It's obviously not amusing that Odin went off injured, but after people like me were saying play Dec as DM with two number tens, both our goals come from Zubi passes. If it had been one of our 10s making both those passes, people like me would have said "See? Told you. Look at the extra creativity from having 2 tens."

Zubi's a very good player. I just think that if we play him, play Dec in the GX left 8 role. But I guess MA's double pivot allows Dec and Zubi to swap those roles around all through the match making it harder for the opposing defence to organise.

In short, trust MA not me.

Zubi's going under the radar a bit while we focus on the front 5. He's both a pwoppa DM and a deep-lying playmaker all in one.

The other thing was that I think MLS is perfect when we play one DM cos he inverts like a MF and picks out passes. But the thing about Ricky C is that he carries the ball forward. So when he inverts, he's the one who can dribble forward while Zubi can pass it.

As you say, we've been very good so far, thank Ganpati. We just need the injury list to shrink as opposed to keep rising.

[Peter]

It's obviously not amusing that Odin went off injured, but after people like me were saying play Dec as DM with two number tens, both our goals come from Zubi passes. If it had been one of our 10s making both those passes, people like me would have said "See? Told you. Look at the extra creativity from having 2 tens."

Zubi's a very good player. I just think that if we play him, play Dec in the GX left 8 role. But I guess MA's double pivot allows Dec and Zubi to swap those roles around all through the match making it harder for the opposing defence to organise.

In short, trust MA not me.

Zubi's going under the radar a bit while we focus on the front 5. He's both a pwoppa DM and a deep-lying playmaker all in one.

The other thing was that I think MLS is perfect when we play one DM cos he inverts like a MF and picks out passes. But the thing about Ricky C is that he carries the ball forward. So when he inverts, he's the one who can dribble forward while Zubi can pass it.

As you say, we've been very good so far, thank Ganpati. We just need the injury list to shrink as opposed to keep rising.

We didn't start well, but we have improved. There is plenty of room to improve further and Arteta will be chasing that.

We haven't yet seen a fraction of what Zubimendi can give us. He's going to be outstanding. Same with Eze.

I want Havertz back......

[redgunamo]

I want Havertz back......

Me too, but I'm not sure Saka does. He actually gets to play football now without nine defenders surrounding him.

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

Me too, but I'm not sure Saka does. He actually gets to play football now without nine defenders surrounding him.

I dunno how Kai affects that, but they do seem to be doubling up on Vik quite a bit. Not so great for him, though out-muscling two of them allowed the pass for JT's shot and won the second half FK that MnM headed over.

But it means there's extra space if he takes two defenders with him or one defender and one covering behind. That's what we haven't had. They can't double up on B and on Vik at the same time if he drifts over that side, when we have a left-8 who can play.

[redgunamo]

I dunno how Kai affects that, but they do seem to be doubling up on Vik quite a bit. Not so great for him, though out-muscling two of them allowed the pass for JT's shot and won the second half FK that MnM headed over.

But it means there's extra space if he takes two defenders with him or one defender and one covering behind. That's what we haven't had. They can't double up on B and on Vik at the same time if he drifts over that side, when we have a left-8 who can play.

Yes, right. Exactly that. Kai (Gott segne ihn!) always wants to play very close to Martin O and B.

All about options, innit.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Very worried for UrdyGuard - sitting on the grass that was the face of broken man. I think he is convinced himself that his very career is coming undone. I'm hoping that it was just the realisation that the physios will now insist on an extended recovery period

[redgunamo]

Very worried for UrdyGuard - sitting on the grass that was the face of broken man. I think he is convinced himself that his very career is coming undone. I'm hoping that it was just the realisation that the physios will now insist on an extended recovery period

Right. It didn't look too good, poor bugger.

The biggest surprise was that he tried to continue, the smallest surprise was that he couldn't

[7sisters]

We didn't start well, but we have improved. There is plenty of room to improve further and Arteta will be chasing that.

We haven't yet seen a fraction of what Zubimendi can give us. He's going to be outstanding. Same with Eze.

I want Havertz back......

I?m sure you?re right about Eze but he seems quite fond of spooning it over the bar from close range on a few occasions. He seems a bit lost at times but that?s all part of finding his place, something I?m not sure Arteta?s worked out yet.
Semenyo looks to be the one we really should be going after for that left wing role.

[redgunamo]

I?m sure you?re right about Eze but he seems quite fond of spooning it over the bar from close range on a few occasions. He seems a bit lost at times but that?s all part of finding his place, something I?m not sure Arteta?s worked out yet.
Semenyo looks to be the one we really should be going after for that left wing role.

MORE spending? We must be skint by now surely

[Peter]

MORE spending? We must be skint by now surely

Not skint. But probably close to needing to sell the women's team if we need to buy more players

[redgunamo]

Not skint. But probably close to needing to sell the women's team if we need to buy more players

What do you mean "not skint"?

WHY not skint? HOW not skint?

We've spent a fortune!

[7sisters]

What do you mean "not skint"?

WHY not skint? HOW not skint?

We've spent a fortune!

Offers fatherly arm around the shoulder with reasserting dialogue. Walk with me Red..

[redgunamo]

Offers fatherly arm around the shoulder with reasserting dialogue. Walk with me Red..

I just don't get it, Pa. We only wanted another striker but we ended up buying a whole new half a team.

It just doesn't make sense