But what happened for their goal?
94th minute 2-0 up and we get caught on the counter. Saliba could have done better as well.
Look I like clean sheets and I cannot lie
But what happened for their goal?
94th minute 2-0 up and we get caught on the counter. Saliba could have done better as well.
Look I like clean sheets and I cannot lie
I totally missed that goal, my dodgy stream was playing up. Thankfully I looked online and the match had finished!
MLS did give the ball away once in a dangerous position but other than that he was excellent, again.
Poor old Kiwior had some awkward moments again. I fear he is one of those 88 minute defenders. Plays well virtually all game but switches off a few times. Hate to say it but Real will make mincemeat of him over two legs :-(Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Wouldn't argue with that but he might have a Senderos perfomance in him. Real's defence isn't all that - think they have a problem at full back which we can exploit. Certainly if Martinelli plays like last nightQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter
To be fair to him, he has been here for years and has never had a run of more than 3 or 4 games at centre back. He's had so little football that he can't really be expected to develop his game or feel comfortable. Not everyone can come in the odd week and perform.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Real are certainly beatable but I just don't think we have two really good performances in us. I thought it would be tight if we had a full side (other than the forwards) but without our back four I can't see us coping with them over two legs.
Always look on the bright side of lifeQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter
His contribution to their goal was pretty shocking, pretty sure I saw Arteta having a word with him afterwards.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
We seemed to be wide open to the counter all evening, down both sides. And Saliba had an off night.
They deserved a goal, jammy finish or not.
I was. I don't think we even have one really good performance in us :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Never ever change, pQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter
In fairness, we may not need one. Real Madrid certainly have a really bad performance or two in them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
I'm quite happy with the situation. I don't have a lot of faith in us in the Champions League so I am just as happy playing top sides as I am the ****e. If we can get something from the first leg then you never know. Put Real under pressure and they will collapse. There are problems in that side.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
But.... our season has had this mark of pre-determined calamity about it from day one. If it can go wrong, it has. Good news is, we are due a bit of luck.....
This is effectively my hope for the rest of the season - we have had such unbelievably bad luck so far and this really is quite a good team, so we're due a massive slice of luck any day now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Like Salah blowing a knee out against Everton tonight and Liverpool collapsing.
Or Madrid having 2-3 players banned and they also collapse.
Or something else collapsing, other than us.
I'm hopeful :-)
I just hope we make a go of it. It's a huge game, exactly where we want to be. I'm going to focus on just trying to enjoy it :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by WES
AW always said that if he plays a 21 year old defender, he'll make mistakes compared to buying a 28 year old, but in a few years he'll have a much better CH.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
But they have to play regularly. Cala will be fine if he stays fit because he'll play lots even when not first choice LB since MLS broke through. He gives different options and can give MLS and Gabby a break.
But Kiwior was a signing that winter, like Jorgy, to help our title challenge, as we had no cover for Gabby or Wigwam.
He didn't work as inverted LB, was fine as a traditional one, but now has MLS, Ricky C, JT {if Benny Blanc's fit} and Zinny ahead of him.
And he's now 3rd choice LCH and a big drop off, so he won't be given starts, or brought on needlessly as Cala could for Gabby.
So the years when he needs to be playing week in, week out to learn are being spent on the bench. So he needs to go on loan if he's not sold - maybe he can rediscover his mojo like Fabio has.
Surely Benny White plays if we can get him fit? Doesn't sound like a major issue that he had midweek.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Presume Calafiori is done for the season?
Cala is supposedly 2-3 weeksQuote:
Originally Posted by Rich
We know Calafiori is out, and I can't see any possibility of Gabriel being fit for at least a month.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
I'd like to think that Timber will be ok. Arteta said is was the knee that made him come off. That was a knock he suffered in the first half so you would like to think that he will be ok given that he played on with it.
We don't know about Ben White but there must be some hope he will be available.
If both are out, it is Partey at right back :-(
the Timber run for the chance he got in the second half (a shot so hard it winded Leno) suggests there is not much wrong. Said it before the lad is a hell of a footballer and we need himQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter
He is. Will be really important against Real as he is quick and aggressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
If bith White and Timber fit which way round would you play them. I would be tempted to keep Timber right back with White at centre half (though the MO/BS/BW axis is also tempting)Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Agreed on Timber at right back. Although at this point I am tempted to go with Kiwior at centre back.... White has had so little football and hasn't played regularly at centre back for nearly 3 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Sadly I think you're right. Don't get what Arteta has against using KT as an emergency RB.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
A fair point on White - I do think he is a better player though. Tough call to make. I think moving Saliba to the left side isn't a bad option though - his recovery pace could be very importantQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter