BladesPod: Hands off, David Luiz - Arsenal review, Rhian Brewster + rating our transfer window

[Beans]

Afternoon all,

Roygbiv joins me to vent our frustrations at that Arsenal result and performance, including a discussion about us being pretty dull to watch, a lack of identity, more baffling officiating but also an unwillingness to hit the floor, the joy of finally doing a goal, and Chris Wilder's 200 games in charge.

Next, a look at our transfer window as a whole (to date) with particular focus on the Rhian Brewster signing. Finally, who won the week in the Premier League, with only a minimum amount of saltiness.



And on Spotify and Apple - cheers as always for listening!

 

[Flatcap]

Cheers Beans. Always good to listen to you and Roygbiv during work hours.

 

[JPBrods]

Well someone has to dissect it I guess. Thanks guys.

 

[Large Mendonca]

3rd i guess........

 

[Wards]

A depressingly accurate summary

 

[Stretch]

Well that cheered me up no end

 

[Revolution]

Is thinking we will go down still an overreaction or is it now a genuine concern?

 

[Beans]

Is thinking we will go down still an overreaction or is it now a genuine concern?

Have a listen to find out The result may shock you etc

 

[Wards]

I think the overall tone, especially the first 45-60 mins, is what a lot of us are feeling right now. Kind of a sense of yeah we've been painfully boring/dull/stale to watch but we know we're better than this, and that's where the overriding frustration comes from.

If something is stale then it needs freshening up. For me it's get Norwood and Fleck back in, and swap the two wing backs. Might as well chuck Ampadu in for Robinson whilst we're at it too.

 

[Revolution]

Have a listen to find out The result may shock you etc

I will when I’ve waded through the other 9 podcasts in my rotation. Thank goodness it’s international break!

this season was a pretty unfortunate time for 4 Blades and The Star to join you and Deadbat’s mob with more regular content. I hear 4 different takes on each defeat!

 

[Beans]

I will when I’ve waded through the other 9 podcasts in my rotation. Thank goodness it’s international break!

this season was a pretty unfortunate time for 4 Blades and The Star to join you and Deadbat’s mob with more regular content. I hear 4 different takes on each defeat!

Good as those are, I'd like to think I can always add value with the USP of Roygbiv's "Views From The Bathroom" or all the times his dad has abandoned him in a pub.

 

[Stretch]

I think the overall tone, especially the first 45-60 mins, is what a lot of us are feeling right now. Kind of a sense of yeah we've been painfully boring/dull/stale to watch but we know we're better than this, and that's where the overriding frustration comes from.

If something is stale then it needs freshening up. For me it's get Norwood and Fleck back in, and swap the two wing backs. Might as well chuck Ampadu in for Robinson whilst we're at it too.

Good post. I can accept losing when we perform well, but things do look very flat at the moment. And as much as I hate to question Wilder's judgement (seriously WTF do I know?!) I still cannot get my head around Norwood being benched. I fully understand the desire to get Berge on the pitch as much as possible, but Norwood is the guy who makes us tick. So I completely agree with all of your suggestions to freshen up the 11.

All that being said, as disappointed as I am with many aspects of our performances, I am equally as furious with the officiating that I have seen so far. Four games in, and already three huge moments gave gone against us, with a lack of inconsistency and apparent bias that is palpable. I thought last season was as bad as anything I have seen on that front, but it does appear that they want to continue to make things as difficult as possible for us.

And...breathe

 

[Houston_Blade]

You echo a lot of my thoughts, I am worried like you are. Good pod.

 

[JPBrods]

Good as those are, I'd like to think I can always add value with the USP of Roygbiv's "Views From The Bathroom" or all the times his dad has abandoned him in a pub.

Roy's dad guest appearance soon please.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Roy's dad guest appearance soon please.

But only if about 10 mins before the end of the pod he just announces “Right, had enough of this – I’m off”.

 

[Swannyblade]

Good post. I can accept losing when we perform well, but things do look very flat at the moment. And as much as I hate to question Wilder's judgement (seriously WTF do I know?!) I still cannot get my head around Norwood being benched. I fully understand the desire to get Berge on the pitch as much as possible, but Norwood is the guy who makes us tick. So I completely agree with all of your suggestions to freshen up the 11.

All that being said, as disappointed as I am with many aspects of our performances, I am equally as furious with the officiating that I have seen so far. Four games in, and already three huge moments gave gone against us, with a lack of inconsistency and apparent bias that is palpable. I thought last season was as bad as anything I have seen on that front, but it does appear that they want to continue to make things as difficult as possible for us.

And...breathe

Agree - the key takeaway for me was when Norwood plays well, United play well...and he's not going to recapture his form whilst benched.
If we were looking good in his absence then I'd understand it, but at present we offer very little attacking threat. We look incredibly laboured when moving the ball from back to front, with lots of safe short sideways and backwards passes. Norwood is very brave in that he always shows for the ball and tries to be positive, even when he's not playing well. Berge seems to perform the role in a much more conservative manner, keeping it neat and tidy. I also think Berge was starting to look more of threat in the RCM position post lockdown and is very classy when moving with the ball at his feet.
I'd like to see Norwood play with Burke because we know he's capable of some sublime through balls on his day. His absence might also help to explain the poor form of the wingbacks, as they're not receiving the cross-field passes he can supply.
Fleck should be returned to the starting line-up - we've had these periods where he's under-performed in the past and the only way for him to improve, is to play himself into form.
I'd also like to see McGoldrick start with Brewster. Just as Norwood bridges the gap between defence and midfield, Didzy dropping deep helps to bridge the gap between midfield and attack. He helps to keep the ball in attacking areas, giving the other players time to get forward and create the overloads we rely on.

 

[McGoaldrick]

Great podcast as always lads, summed it up perfectly. Fingers crossed for a nice upbeat one after fulham and a lot of raving about how good brewster is

 

[Yank]

Nice one as always fellows If ever wanting an American guest on who has a deep country accent I'm your man

 

[JohnDenver]

I think the overall tone, especially the first 45-60 mins, is what a lot of us are feeling right now. Kind of a sense of yeah we've been painfully boring/dull/stale to watch but we know we're better than this, and that's where the overriding frustration comes from.

If something is stale then it needs freshening up. For me it's get Norwood and Fleck back in, and swap the two wing backs. Might as well chuck Ampadu in for Robinson whilst we're at it too.

I'll go into bat for Baldock. I really don't think his standards have dropped appreciably. Yes, he won't create much when faced with a fullback on the edge of the opponent's box. But then he rarely did. It's always a joint affair involving the whole team moving up the pitch and interchanging positions to work openings from wide. And it that process which isn't happening enough now.

Even against Leeds, we did't maintain pressure for long at all. The things which make us dangerous all rely on the whole team pitching in. Hoping Burke gets in behind is not how we will win.

The system needs a reboot. Norwood back. Berge to the right. Maybe Lowe and Ampadu for Stevens (who has dropped his levels), and Robinson (who can't do enough on the ball).

Anyway, I need to listen to pod first so I'll shut up.

 

[Wards]

I'll go into bat for Baldock. I really don't think his standards have dropped appreciably. Yes, he won't create much when faced with a fullback on the edge of the opponent's box. But then he rarely did. It's always a joint affair involving the whole team moving up the pitch and interchanging positions to work openings from wide. And it that process which isn't happening enough now.

Even against Leeds, we did't maintain pressure for long at all. The things which make us dangerous all rely on the whole team pitching in. Hoping Burke gets in behind is not how we will win.

The system needs a reboot. Norwood back. Berge to the right. Maybe Lowe and Ampadu for Stevens (who has dropped his levels), and Robinson (who can't do enough on the ball).

Anyway, I need to listen to pod first so I'll shut up.

I love Baldock, I'd go as far as saying he's my favourite player in this squad but when the rest of the attacking output is so limited we need the wingbacks to be able to create chances themselves. Sadly that ain't Baldock's strong point. Bogle is much more in the mould of a winger and can create chances through his own doing - that's the only reason I'd make that change. If Berge is on song playing that right hand side role and Basham is getting up the pitch like he needs to then absolutely no reason to change it.

 

[Snowflake]

Is it too reactionary to play Berge and Norwood together in midfield ?
If we keep a back 5 then just one striker up front: if there is a more radical change with a back 4the left and right sided midfielders have to help out in defence when not attacking.
Is this all bollocks ?!

 

[NE Blade]

Beans Roygbiv I couldn’t agree more with your comments on the current team selection and sleep walking into defeats by playing 5 defenders and 3 defensive midfielders.

The last time I was this confused by our team selection was the Lundstram - Evans (Lundvans) midfield pairing that it feels like we had for about six months but in reality it was probably more like six games?!

Let’s pray to God that Wilder comes up with a solution again like he did last time. I think he will

 

[Aganarama]

Beans Roygbiv when you were discussing our transfer business it made me think of an NFL draft class (rather than us hammering free agency). Lots of potential, but not sure whether they will make an immediate impact. Hopefully by the end of the season we'll be able give this class an A grade...

 

[Gimli]

Another great pod boys.

We’re all disappointed but I think you get that across in a measured and reasonable way.

Also very pleased to see a return of the the alternative man of the match award!

 

[Beans]

Another great pod boys.

We’re all disappointed but I think you get that across in a measured and reasonable way.

Also very pleased to see a return of the the alternative man of the match award!

Looks like it inspired Didsy to a brilliant performance last night, let’s hope Roy’s nomination of Chris Wilder has a similar effect next week

 

[KiwiBlabe]

Great pod again, thanks.

I listened to the Leeds pod and this one together as I have been away. Was funny to hear a home defeat to Leeds being accepted and an away defeat to the Arse derided. I understand why and having watched both games agree. The difference in the 2 pods was stark.

Hopefully we get Norwood back, he makes us tick again and we get points on the board against Fulham.

Thanks again for the pod and ignore the bizarre post about your view from Roy. Truly odd.