Match Reaction v West Ham (away).

[selassie]

Let's leave aside whether we finish top 4 or not. Last year we were miles away from it, we finished 12 points off of 4th and with 63 points.
The biggest issue is clearly defence, we conceded 51 goals, 13 more than anyone else in the top 5.

I don't believe that a new manager can't come in and immediately improve some of that with a couple of signings.
After a promising start we now only have 2 more points now than we did at this stage last year.
We are scoring more but we are conceding more

I've been saying that Emery gets a free pass this season but it's time to start asking some questions.

I'm pretty much in agreement with you TBH. I think Emery needs time but he also needs to show that he has some kind of plan, I sort of saw one earlier on in the season... but don't anymore. Defence has been a major issue all season, we got away with it earlier in the season due to the unbeaten run and a whole heap of luck.

I think Emery and the coaching staff are doing a poor job on defence, as bad...if not worse than Wenger TBH. I don't believe for a second this defence is as bad as the number of errors or disorganisation we are seeing now and have been seeing all season.

Right now we look no better than last season...we did at times look better than last season earlier on in the season...but only due to some encouraging performances in the big games and improved away form...that is essentially the only real sign of progress.

Emery absolutely has to step up now....the performances and results NEED to improve.

[GP]

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
He tried to implement a style early on but he's realised he doesn't have the squad for it. He's only had one transfer window so it's not really his squad yet.

[Letters]

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but even when we were doing well we were getting away with a lot of mistakes that went unpunished

Agreed, that run did flatter us somewhat. And I agree that the defence needs some improvement. Some of the other improvements you suggest are probably right too, but those can be done over the next few years, I don't accept we need 7-8 players replaced now to see any improvement

it's not going to change until we replace them because frankly they're not good enough and never will be regardless of who is managing the side.

What happened to "any manager would do better"?
That's what was being said last season.

[GP]

Agreed, that run did flatter us somewhat. And I agree that the defence needs some improvement. Some of the other improvements you suggest are probably right too, but those can be done over the next few years, I don't accept we need 7-8 players replaced now to see any improvement


What happened to "any manager would do better"?
That's what was being said last season.

Brexit means Brexit

[Letters]

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
He tried to implement a style early on but he's realised he doesn't have the squad for it. He's only had one transfer window so it's not really his squad yet.

Largely agreed although, honestly, I was expecting a bit more.
Some of Wenger's weaknesses were being a poor tactician - he didn't prepare us for the opposition - and motivator - exacerbated by a lack of a proper captain - and a neglect of the defence.
I did expect a bit of improvement from a new manager, there were early promising signs and while the winning run flattered us a bit I was enjoying the football at times.
Right now it's back to the rubbish we've seen over the last couple of seasons.

[Özim]

Agreed, that run did flatter us somewhat. And I agree that the defence needs some improvement. Some of the other improvements you suggest are probably right too, but those can be done over the next few years, I don't accept we need 7-8 players replaced now to see any improvement

I listed the players I think we need to replace and it's between 6 and 8 players, if you disagree fine but I think all those positions need replacements

What happened to "any manager would do better"?
That's what was being said last season.

They could but they have to change things, Emery should be implementing his methods, just like Klopp did, it might be hit and miss at this stage as the players don't fit in or are not good enough but he should still apply his methods, the problem right now is we're looking much like the Wenger team of old. In reality though Wenger messed it up for him as he's left him with next to nothing to spend, so making the changes are harder than they ever would have been when Wenger was in charge.

Saying that I agree with MO if things aren't different next season he should be given the boot.

[selassie]

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
He tried to implement a style early on but he's realised he doesn't have the squad for it. He's only had one transfer window so it's not really his squad yet.

It kind of did work though in the sense that we at least looked a lot more solid and a lot more fluid going forward earlier on in the season.

Injuries played a part in the mess we are currently in...but I don't understand why he doesn't just revert to type and go back to the previous formation.

He needs to bury the hatchet with Ozil and get him back in the team IMO.

[GP]

I don't know what's going on with Ozil but yes, we can't have 300k a week not even on the bench.

[Globalgunner]

The problem with Ozil is that half a dozen managers have identified the same mental weakness in him but he himself doesnt see it. He thinks he is this eccentric, mercurial oddity that others should compensate for simply because he can occasionally produce that stand up and wow moment. He forgets that he is a sportsman not a university lecturer. Any top sportsman that can be bullied off the ball by mediocre players and will do absolutely nothing to get it back is a liability. Less than 2 months ago we was given the captains armband in another of his numerous comebacks and delivered another "I dont give a toss" performance. He is a liability to the team and to Emerys prospects on the job. Emery has concluded as I do that he would rather fail without him than with him.
Ozil has already "retired" in his mind.

On the larger issue I dont know whats going on with the defence. Holding is the only main cog that is missing, but he shouldn't be that important to the team, except he is apparently. Mustafi is braindead and unnerves the rest of the defence. We played well against Chelsea away to the point I was not upset that we lost because 3 open goals were missed by Iwobi, Auba and 1 other person. We should have won that game. My take on it is we should drop Xhaka and Mustafi, forget that Ozil even exists and hope 2 or 3 loanees can save our skins. I would take Cahill and the other Ex leicester MF guy on loan from Chelsea and see if a playmaker can come in from Spain, whether it be Suarez or Banega. we desperately need one. If Emery continues to play Xhaka then he deserves the sack.

[Mac76]

****** means ******

can we keep this shit off a football messageboard pls?

it's enough with it being all around us