MarcusX

Can’t argue with any of that to be fair, all valid points. Second half Spurs decided to protect their keeper, not sure why someone didn’t take responsibility for that sooner though after the first!

It’s clever, I like it, but I’m not sure how just barging into the keeper off the ball isn’t a foul? VAR didn’t even seem to look at the two penalty appeals before the second goal either, although the second one probably wasn’t a foul and the first would be soft. Theres something unlikable about some of this Arsenal team, these “dark arts” that Arteta has brought in to the side, but I think it’s what they’ve needed to get to the next level. They were far too soft for years.

Definitely bought himself some time, but depends on the strength of that start. In a lower league where we should be expected to at least be competitive given our stature and wage budget. I could have picked one of a few replies but yes I’d agree with that. I don’t think it’s “momentum” in the sense of week on week performances but definitely positive atmosphere and mood can carry through. It’ll give any players / agents a better sense of confidence in Manning and City too so can sway signings.

Whilst I agree, and I’m happy for City to do what’s best for them, on a personal level I feel for the lad. He’s only 19. It’s hard to speculate on much else without knowing the circumstances, I’m not putting blame on the club - if he’s turned out to be not good enough then fair enough although it’s all very weird.

Credit where it’s due, decent end of season run and some good performances in there to match. A real shame we lost those Cardiff, QPR and Sheff Wed games now. I don’t think momentum into a new season is really a thing though, it’s a new start in August and that’s where we can really judge protest.

Not for the first time apparently? Feel sorry for the lad tbh. Not good enough to play, but for some reason sits on the bench every week. Doesn’t even feature for u21s either. The lads moved countries for this too. I don’t know or care for blame necessarily just seems a little unfair on him.

So my shirt arrived this week after ordering in the second release back in Feb. The shirt is lovely, but the quality is questionable - where the badge is applied is creased, and not just in need of iron but the way the badge has been applied it seems. Also it came with a matchday programme which was a nice touch, however that was also damaged presumably by the courier. In fairness to the club they got back to me straight away and are arranging a replacement, and sending another programme. Did anyone else have any issues?

Not just footballers, lots of every day people having them done. Each to their own, but think the bright whiteness of them looks ridiculous

You are missing the point. The ref didn't think it even hit Grealish arm. That is a clear and obvious mistake.

This is a good point, surely the very definition of a clear and obvious error in that he didn't think the ball hit the arm. He should definitely have been instructed to go and take a look, and then I reckon it would have been a penalty. It's a baffling decision because it suggests VAR have said stick with the onfield decision - which was it didn't even hit the arm, goal kick. It couldn't be any clearer that was a mistake.

John Moss isn’t from Leeds, he’s from Sunderland?

I think what they need to do is make the conversation audible, at least to TV audiences. That would ensure there's at least an understanding of the process

At least two, first one was soft but the handball should have been (but maybe not if you follow the Grealish one?!) and the third was a nailed on pen

I would say it's not strictly "unnatural" (your arms do move when you jump) but I'm regularly told on a Saturday afternoon by referees when standing in the wall, that you can cover your bits but cant have your arms out by your side. I would say yes Grealish is making himself bigger. It's ok to say take them in isolation, but this is what is most frustrating in football - and this rule in particularly - there's no continuity. What's a pen one week, isn't the next and it means no one has a clue what's going on.

Wasn't even ex-England, he'd just come back from the World Cup (albeit a disastrous tournament) I personally was very happy with signing James at the time.

Another shocker yesterday IMO Chelsea free kick hits Grealish’s outstretched arm in the wall. Ref doesn’t even give a corner, but a goal kick. Now I didn’t see it in real time but I saw the replays and discussion after. On the basis of what is given these days I can’t understand how it isn’t. Every free kick these days the wall are told you can use your hand to cover your face, or your bits, but anything out to the side is in danger. I don’t understand how it’s not a penalty, especially compared to the one we got last week. Also, I know VAR can’t over rule goal kicks but that conversation must have been amusing. Hold on Ref, you’ve given a goal kick but we’re just checking a possible handball. Check complete, it did hit Grealish but no penalty - stick with the goal kick it makes no sense.

how dare they change the Red Cross! I know it’s a bit silly, but it’s amazing there’s not the same discourse isn’t it?

I think the problem is that they’ve talked about using seeding before and people are assuming that means it’s been used here. They’d forecasted this rain and potential storm ahead of it happening, and predicted a years worth of rain. I’m not sure they’d have intentionally dumped that much rain on themselves and wide spread areas? Or that seeding is even capable of causing such dramatic changes. I believe it only affects individual clouds, not future weather events.

I’m sure they’ll turn up, usually find them in the last place you look

Out of interest why did we have BC82 instead of a badge on the shirt?

I was genuinely looking forward to reading some feedback on his time at Bath City As ex-Chippenham I don't want Bath to go up, but would be good for him to have a promotion on his "CV" at an early age

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's been an occasion they've all been fit - certainly not since Palmer has burst on the scene. I don't think we do lose much dropping Bellingham back because he's also a brilliant ball carrier. And any argument debating that should also acknowledge that Rice has been playing higher for Arsenal quite often with Jorginho sitting deeper so you could argue we lose a bit with Rice by playing him CDM. Probably a good job we don't judge players on one game then. I think it's mad the criticism Pickford gets (albeit I didn't see Monday's game) He's never let England down at a major tournament and don't forget he's probably the hero of Euro 2020 (21) if Saka puts his penalty in. 2 saves in a major final penalty shoot out! As for this season he has the second highest clean sheets this season in the Prem and second or third for save percentage too I think. Everton have conceded the 4th lowest goals this season. There's no better option than Pickford at the minute, and he's the least of our concerns in that back 5. I think on current form and injuries our front 6 should be the following : Rice Bellingham (not necessarily a flat 2) Saka Foden Palmer Kane But, to counter the point about players playing out of position they need to be given the freedom they clearly had against Belgium to inter-change. Foden and Bellingham seemed to be given free roles and we need to do that and trust their ability. Defence is questionable at the moment, needs to be decided closer to time and hope we have no further injuries. Think left back is the main concern

Probably one of the best away games I’ve been to, up there with palace away in the playoffs. How refreshing it was to go somewhere needing a win and doing it so comprehensively?

That’s not how football works, win one of those and everything else changes afterwards. It’s not as simple as you’ve made it.

and now mathematically confirmed to be in this league next season, play offs officially out of reach