Pre-Season 2023/24

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Great points, can certainly see why you think point 1 & 2.

As for point3, Udogie is a big boy and I think Davies will get exposed in a high line as a LB as he did under Mason against Brentford big time end of last season so I'd rather Reggi and Udogie are our 2 LB's but Reggi needs work defensively.

Agreed - but not about Reggi. Sadly, I think he has too many inconsistent moments where he turns off at the worst times.

On Davies - I think people forget that we effectively replaced him as a LB two seasons ago. We are in trouble if we want to play any kind of high line with Davies as a LB - he was once a good option, but that was several years ago.

I have a higher level of confidence that Udogie could cover the defensive responsibilities - given his combination of size/strength/pace. But, if I were an ambitious chairman - I would be signing a good LB to pair with Udogie.

 

[McFlash]

Against Leicester - I'd like to see this starting XI:

Vicario
Royal Romero Davies* Udogie
Bissouma
Maddison Lo Celso
Kulu Kane Son​

*its a weak spot, but someone has to play

I'd like to see what Ndombele can do, and I think Sarr earned some more minutes. May even be tempted to give Porro some minutes at RW, and let Spence come in to play at RB in the 2nd half.

I reckon that's probably our best side at the moment, with some bloody good options to come off the bench too...well, apart from in the obvious positions.

I wouldn't be unhappy if the only other business (incoming) that we do is cb's.
We're looking pretty much we'll set everywhere else on the pitch, with good depth too.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Agreed - but not about Reggi. Sadly, I think he has too many inconsistent moments where he turns off at the worst times.

On Davies - I think people forget that we effectively replaced him as a LB two seasons ago. We are in trouble if we want to play any kind of high line with Davies as a LB - he was once a good option, but that was several years ago.

I have a higher level of confidence that Udogie could cover the defensive responsibilities - given his combination of size/strength/pace. But, if I were an ambitious chairman - I would be signing a good LB to pair with Udogie.

I agree with all of this mate I was just saying of our current options my order of preference would be:
1. Udogie
2. Reggie
3. Davies

But yes I think we could likely do with signing another LB to compete with Udogie but given we also need 2x CB's possibly a CM and RW and ST if Kane goes then I can't see us signing a new LB this window therefore I think lets try and make the most of Reggie for now as a back-up to Udogie.

 

[PaulThurston]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like they're starting to come round from a four year coma?

 

[hamsup_sotong]

just got back from the match. Was so happy with that in spite of the result.

Standouts for me were gio ,udogie, bissouma and sarr.

Couple of cb signings and we will be good to go.

udogie is a unit and is a very intelligent footballer. He was constantly checking the defensive line and his man's position, way way more advanced defensively than porro. His runs off the ball were superb too.

Gio was our mom for me. Constantly calling for the ball, moving it intelligently. Showed workrate and desire. Hopefully he stays as it'll be a bloody shame if he doesn't.

 

[sparx100]

Really don’t understand how people expect 2 new centre backs to come in, and hit the ground running in the Premier league. ( without a pre season)
They, if they come will need to be phased in gradually otherwise they will be no better than what we have. It’s a tough League.
Please stop with the Ange's style of football ffs.

We need 2 more in otherwise we are an injury away to our new cb to reverting back to Romero and Dier and we know that won't work. We need 2 probably to compete with Romero and to have a bit of depth.

I apologise for the A-Ball. This is a low moment for me personally and my family.

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like they're starting to come round from a four year coma?

I had to pinch myself when i played the highlights back. What is this witchcraft?

 

[Jamturk]

I understand the clamour for Cb's and agree we need to get them in but defensively Porro and Reggie were the biggest concerns for me, both culpable for the 2 goals conceded in the first 25 mins.

On today's game 1st 11 should be:

Vicario

Royal Romero Davies Udogie

Bissouma

Maddison Lo Celso

Kulusevski Perisic

Kane

P.s unlucky Subs: Hjobjerg, Sarr and Solomon.​

 

[Bulletspur]

When are we going to stop with the pointless comparisons to those two? Time to move on and enjoy the Ange revolution without it.

Also, it’s pre-season. Saying that one pre-season game proves that those two are dinosaurs is extremely hyperbolic. It’s like me saying Ange is shit because we still lost the game 3-2.

Pointless comparison? Really? My point was to demonstrate that we do not have to make whole sale transfers for players in order to get better. We do have and always had the talent to do better but previous Managers didn't seem to appreciate that or their individual egos didn't allow them to.

Yes it was only one game, but even 15 minutes into the game (which was our first and Westham had already played a couple) you could see the difference in the performance - chalk and cheese. And to support my opinion, Postecoglou changed the line up playing 11, yes 11 different players resulting in the same performance. I would go on and say that the second eleven won their half 2-1 without Harry Kane!

So pointless? I do not think so. By the way we did lose 3-2 thank you very much.

 

[Fredo]

I want Lo Celso to stay, he's a fucking good player. I will be disappointed if he goes.

 

[Oscar22]

Highlights will work if you click it…

 

[Push & Run]

Great points, can certainly see why you think point 1 & 2.

As for point3, Udogie is a big boy and I think Davies will get exposed in a high line as a LB as he did under Mason against Brentford big time end of last season so I'd rather Reggi and Udogie are our 2 LB's but Reggi needs work defensively.

Agree entirely, you appear to be one of the few on here that I relate to, however no doubt that some will not shout at me for saying that I just feel Romero does not want to be here. Its just vibes that he gives me, and maybe he has said so and that is now changing how we look at new cbs. Maybe totally wrong but sometimes vibes might be more accurate that all the ITK in China, or North London. Didn't see the game but from various comments looks as if the future is brighterf than for some while BUT Rome or successful long term sides are not built in a day. Stay safe COYS

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Pointless comparison? Really? My point was to demonstrate that we do not have to make whole sale transfers for players in order to get better. We do have and always had the talent to do better but previous Managers didn't seem to appreciate that or their individual egos didn't allow them to.

Yes it was only one game, but even 15 minutes into the game (which was our first and Westham had already played a couple) you could see the difference in the performance - chalk and cheese. And to support my opinion, Postecoglou changed the line up playing 11, yes 11 different players resulting in the same performance. I would go on and say that the second eleven won their half 2-1 without Harry Kane!

So pointless? I do not think so. By the way we did lose 3-2 thank you very much.

We simply can't make that judgement after 90 mins of a pre-season game, regardless of what anyone saw during the game.

It is way to early to say the things like that, and everyone knows we've always had decent players in the team.

We had excellent spells under both JM and Conte too, particularly at the beginning of their spells ironically, or are we conveniently going to ignore that?

Taking nothing away from the team today, it still JUST a pre-season game.

So yes, we need to move on from these two managers and focus on the manager in front of us which includes not mentioning their names in comparison every single time we praise Ange or the team for something.

Everyone needs to get over the past 3 years mentally and emotionally, it's literally pointless to hold a grudge or insult them now.

We need to focus on Ange and Ange alone.

 

[Snarfalicious]

That went about as well as we all could have hoped, I think.

Kane may see this setup as a slam dunk for him to break the record (and fast). Plenty of service and attacking intent, that has to intrigue him somewhat.

Our backline in the first half did not disappoint in that they didn’t let Levy believe it can be fixed with the existing pieces. They are bad, and most of it should be scrapped for parts.

Ange’s tactics brought that excitement back already. It’s one thing to talk about it, but after years of languid football, to completely flip it on its head in the first match against PL opponents, that’s hugely encouraging for me. It makes me excited to watch matches again, and I think that’s cool.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Here is why I think today looked really good - even if its just 90 minutes of a pre-season game - We made lots of mistakes today, and we still looked good.

This was obviously the first attempt to take on board everything that Ange has been trying to implement - and we made loads of little errors. Poor passes, players occupying the same space, player not moving to the right space, a few defensive lapses, etc. And yet - players were full of energy, and kept at it - and overall the play was pleasing on the eye, and as we get more attuned to the tactics - more goals will follow.

I think the players are excited, and working hard. Ange mentioned in the post-match presser, that they will have lots to show the players on video on where we need improvement, and I expect the players will continue to learn. Ange is just laying the foundation now. A month from now, we will be making fewer mistakes, but still playing the uptempo game.

We aren't winning the league this season, and we have at least one huge glaring hole in the back line - but, even in a first pre-season game - you can see the roots of the next project taking hold.

 

[Arden]

Pointless comparison? Really? My point was to demonstrate that we do not have to make whole sale transfers for players in order to get better. We do have and always had the talent to do better but previous Managers didn't seem to appreciate that or their individual egos didn't allow them to.

Yes it was only one game, but even 15 minutes into the game (which was our first and Westham had already played a couple) you could see the difference in the performance - chalk and cheese. And to support my opinion, Postecoglou changed the line up playing 11, yes 11 different players resulting in the same performance. I would go on and say that the second eleven won their half 2-1 without Harry Kane!

So pointless? I do not think so. By the way we did lose 3-2 thank you very much.

Not sure we can compare first half to second half, West Ham clearly tired a bit in the second half

 

[Bulletspur]

Not sure we can compare first half to second half, West Ham clearly tired a bit in the second half

I think you have missed the point I was trying to make

 

[SushiMane]

View attachment 129081

This is how man city feels after they play us

 

[jpascavitz]

I want Lo Celso to stay, he's a fucking good player. I will be disappointed if he goes.

I think we'll be saying that for both GLC and Ndombele throughout preseason esp. in a great attacking set up!

But I can't help but think Ndombele's knock today brought back some frustration. Both over the course of their careers here haven't been available or consistent. I know Conte is not the best person to reference right now, but I always thought their were truths when he basically called out and shipped out players that aren't PL ready.

 

[Gilzeanking]

Deki is a worry, yes early days, but it was last season's Deki today...not the season before.

Relying on him too much this season might be unwise imo.