It’s been a tough few weeks

[SwissBlade]

A few players looked a bit tired or off it in spells today, Arsenal were up for it, but a couple of comments:

- Lundstram not at the levels he was at in early December

- Mousse was not himself at all, decision making, seemed slow at times, not as enthusiastic as normal, overran ball a bit

Baldock and Enda weren’t quite switched on at times

But they can be forgiven. December and Jan have been hard, physically and mentally. Liverpool, Man City, reinvigorated Watford, Arsenal and West Ham all with the new manager bounce.

But it’s therefore even more impressive how players like Fleck, Norwood, Jack, McBurnie and Egan were all at it today.

Billy, Besic and Robinson all played a role when they came in.

Start Billy and McBurnie up front on Tuesday. And bring Mousse on after an hour

 

[BigBed]

Mousset always seems 10 times better off the bench

 

[SwissBlade]

Mousset always seems 10 times better off the bench

He’s normally effective either way, but didn’t think he was himself today

 

[spongebobblade]

Reckon he will start Tuesday. The City defence were terrified of him at the Etihad

 

[blade too long]

We are 3rd lowestin posession side this season in the prem to be where we are shows we have more quality than we think as we are making the most of our chances

 

[BobblesBlade]

Naaaa I can not agree with Billy and McBurnie up front. Billy likes to play with his back to goal though is good at the hold up play.
If we are sticking with long ball game and using McBurnie as the target man then we need a Tony Agans type of striker.
Problem with Mousset is he likes to get the ball and do his thing. He will not like playing off a target man. McGoldrick is the partner for Mousset but then you need a good flowing midfield. If by the looks of it Lundstram has run out of steam I’d play Freeman with Norwood and Fleck.

 

[Trafford]

We need City to be worried about breakaway goals and Billy unfortunately doesn’t offer that.

 

[Iceybabey]

I reckon Besic will start Tuesday, hence his late introduction.

 

[Carlton Blade]

He’s normally effective either way, but didn’t think he was himself today

He was the same against Villa. He's still inconsistent. I think that's how we could afford to sign him.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Any news on Freeman or is there a bid in for him it had better be a good one if there is a bid .Lunny has become a passenger where did the early season guy go .I can't remember how many times he was eased off the ball today.

 

[SwissBlade]

He was the same against Villa. He's still inconsistent. I think that's how we could afford to sign him.

I think the difference today was in possession he should’ve done better

 

[Carlton Blade]

I think the difference today was in possession he should’ve done better

He seems to either be surly and disinterested or as enthusiastic as the Energizer Bunny. I think he'll even put as he gets more game time. He's spent the last 3 years being frustrated every week

 

[Auld Reekie Blade]

I think the mid season break cannot come soon enoogh for the lads. That said, what a fucking season so far!

 

[Mad Mick]

Agree to some extent but I just can't take to Robinson.

 

[SwissBlade]

He seems to either be surly and disinterested or as enthusiastic as the Energizer Bunny. I think he'll even put as he gets more game time. He's spent the last 3 years being frustrated every week

That’s the thing. Today he seemed up for it, but his feet weren’t doing what his brain wanted

 

[SwissBlade]

Agree to some extent but I just can't take to Robinson.

Put the ball in the box which ended up at Flecks feet... goal

 

[Carlton Blade]

That’s the thing. Today he seemed up for it, but his feet weren’t doing what his brain wanted

I'm probably talking shit but if there's one a place a young, French forward would want to impress it's at Arsenal. Maybe the occasion got the better of him?

 

[Mad Mick]

I know Swiss but he doesn't work hard enough for me.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Any news on Freeman or is there a bid in for him it had better be a good one if there is a bid .Lunny has become a passenger where did the early season guy go .I can't remember how many times he was eased off the ball today.

Wilder said he just wanted Osborn on the bench and not Freeman. Fair enough I suppose.

Based on past performances I’d have thought Freeman over Robinson all day long but Robinson put another decent cross in for the goal so he is doing the odd bit when he comes on.

 

[Bladesman]

Besic in for Lunny is one of the changes that should happen for the game against City.

 

[Stretch]

Agree to some extent but I just can't take to Robinson.

The fact that he got a place on the bench in front of Freeman today has me absolutely flabbergasted. I rarely question this management team, but his lack of gametime is starting to get my back up.

 

[Wardy1889]

Lundstrum not looked same player since he picked knock up against Watford, looks really tired! Besic once again, impressive, calm and collected, needs to start against City for me

 

[mattbianco1]

Arsenal were up for it

I don't think they were at all. Off the ball I thought they worked very hard, but when they were in possession, I thought they were too slow and not direct or incisive enough. They never cut us open like City and Liverpool did.

We are 3rd lowestin posession side this season in the prem to be where we are shows we have more quality than we think as we are making the most of our chances

I think we need to realise that as a team. We carved open loads of opportunities where a bit more cutting edge and more adventurous play could've easily seen us 2 or 3 up.

I think Arsenal were scared of us but we were equally as squad of making a mistake in the final third as let's be fair, Arsenal on their day could cut right through us if we messed the overload up.. today though for me, arsenal didn't want the battle/fight. They were there for the taking IMO

 

[Athens Blade]

Lundstrum not looked same player since he picked knock up against Watford, looks really tired! Besic once again, impressive, calm and collected, needs to start against City for me

And man mark De Bruyne

 

[west_yorks_blade]

And man mark De Bruyne

who is mark de bruyne?

 

[blade too long]

I don't think they were at all. Off the ball I thought they worked very hard, but when they were in possession, I thought they were too slow and not direct or incisive enough. They never cut us open like City and Liverpool did.



I think we need to realise that as a team. We carved open loads of opportunities where a bit more cutting edge and more adventurous play could've easily seen us 2 or 3 up.

I think Arsenal were scared of us but we were equally as squad of making a mistake in the final third as let's be fair, Arsenal on their day could cut right through us if we messed the overload up.. today though for me, arsenal didn't want the battle/fight. They were there for the taking IMO

Weve drawn at spurs and Arsenal and come away thinking maybe could havve won. Lets take the pozitives out of that in that weve travelled a long way in a blink of the eye

 

[SwissBlade]

I don't think they were at all. Off the ball I thought they worked very hard, but when they were in possession, I thought they were too slow and not direct or incisive enough. They never cut us open like City and Liverpool did.



I think we need to realise that as a team. We carved open loads of opportunities where a bit more cutting edge and more adventurous play could've easily seen us 2 or 3 up.

I think Arsenal were scared of us but we were equally as squad of making a mistake in the final third as let's be fair, Arsenal on their day could cut right through us if we messed the overload up.. today though for me, arsenal didn't want the battle/fight. They were there for the taking IMO

They’re clearly a work in progress. But they’re a long way ahead of where they were when we played them at the lane

 

[Jon Bon II]

I know Swiss but he doesn't work hard enough for me.

I agree. Don't want to talk negatively after a decent result but he stands out a mile on the pitch, as he's the only one not busting a gut. Today, ball breaks out from our area towards midfield, 60-40 ball in Robinson's favour. Any other player on this team would have won that ball and be breaking up field. Robinson ambled towards it, let the Arsenal player nick it and just gave up. Frustrating as anything.

 

[nickwr37]

Jury still out on McB for me. Like Bambi. I will await some more games so he has time to bed in....

 

[mattbianco1]

Weve drawn at spurs and Arsenal and come away thinking maybe could havve won. Lets take the pozitives out of that in that weve travelled a long way in a blink of the eye

They’re clearly a work in progress. But they’re a long way ahead of where they were when we played them at the lane

Agreed.

Wilder just said on Sky similar to what I was saying about final 3rd and chances etc..

I disagree that we were only in game for 1st and last 10mins though