12 Aug 2023 15:16:14
With out being too critical we played like mid table non league In the fa cup for 75 minutes. A few times we battled back the balll we dallied on it for too long and gave it away. We looked weak at times and the same as last season just watched Arsenal play it around no tackles, nada. Was this Groundhog day, deja vu seem to play the same against Newcastle, first game last season. The difference this time Cooper made positive subs, albeit a bit late, and it worked good for 15 minutes. The rest was utter tosh though, Arsenal clearly streets ahead of us. Better ball chasing and ball retention needed for spells in games against better teams because if that had been City they would have been ruthless and scored 5.

1.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:23:22
Arsenal are streets ahead of us? No way, you don't say.

Arsenal are streets ahead of near enough every team, apart from Man City. Their squad is probably worth at least five times what ours is. It would take years to get to that level.

2.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:25:36
Not sure what you expected against Arsenal away mate, go toe to toe n lose 8-2 and kill our good again.

Not impressed first half 2nd half much better, great run from Elanga, Taiwo looked lively.

3.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:30:25
Not a bad result if I do say so myself onwards and upwards to 3 points against the in laws team ?.

4.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:31:10
Red cyclist, totally agree with your sentiments mate, , I sometimes can’t believe what I read on here,

5.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:43:35
Im feeling different tonight Cig, no doubt we are in for a long hard season but I don’t think we looked that bad today. I think we will be in relegation trouble all season but we’ll be in touch with safety too.

My only criticism is the team don’t look ready for competitive football, I’m not sure why that is. Injuries and player fitness will blight us all season again. I feel we should however, look at the positives from today.

6.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 15:44:46
Oh and finally - I don’t care what anyone says their first goal was lucky and we should have had a penalty.

7.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:12:32
Alright guys calm down, just an observation lol. As I said the difference between last season was positive subs which could have nicked us a point. RC mate tongue in cheek of course they are streets ahead and could pass any team off the park. My gripe was not retaining the ball hence in giving the ball away leading to their goals. Don't give it away, no goals. We did look organised and defended well. It was just a case of Arsenal being the much superior and us being the relatively new team always going to lose. But it's 1 game, it won't define us, Elanga looks useful and Awoniyi continuing his scoring streak. But I do expect us to struggle against the top teams away from home until and if we can still be a prem team for the next few seasons. Stevie F opinions mate, say it as you see it ?.

8.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:25:22
Cig, we’ll struggle mate, hence why I think escaping from the Emirates with our goal difference and confidence intact is a decent outcome.

9.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:25:38
I agree about ball retention, Cloughie. Mangala is inconsistent and Yates would look so much better with a more classy DM in the side. Loads of good sides have an industrious midfielder like Yate/ Mangala, but not sure about both.

Hopefully the hierarchy and Cooper agree with us and do everything they can to sign the kind of midfielder we need.

10.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:53:58
Any thoughts on who’d fit the bill for us?

11.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 18:37:18
Is Roy Keane available?

Honestly don't know who is available that we can afford. Nobody knows ho much money we have.

12.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 18:43:19
Yes mate, I’ve no clue either hence why I asked if you had.

13.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 23:34:01
Great input Red Cyclist and 2 stars, keeping it realistic. I see progress from last season already and that enthuses me. I expect mid table security, with a bit of luck with injuries. ?.