Tomaszk

If he isn't a troll he has easily the worst understanding of football I've ever seen. Remarkable someone can be so consistently wrong. Unbelievable actually...interesting he had a Fulham badge for over a year. I've tried muting, but so many people innocently interact trying to understand the gibberish he comes out with it. There's no point reasoning with someone who doesn't use logic.

I'm not sure we disagree on performance? Maybe. I don't think we were great in the Sheff U, Fulham, Leicester, Leeds or Southampton games, yet we won three. Probably unlucky to not be 2-0 up playing poorly v Leeds as well. Plenty improvement to come across the pitch this season, work to do. LOADS of improvement to come in terms of squad depth in the next few windows I'd imagine. Didn't think performance was something you were fussed with generally? You're usually results over anything else, yes? 12 points from 18 is great! Performance-wise I make it 1-2-3 for Good-OK-Poor. I agree Big game for Barkley I'd say this one. If he's poor again, no problem from me to drop him for Hourihane for next few.

I'll be appauled at the squad and Smith if we get anything less than 4 points off them under that clown.

To answer the bit at the end of your post... because it's football and everyone bar the very very best will suffer from some inconsistency. Man City are 10th and we beat Liverpool 7-2, it happens. I know we want to win every game but it isn't going to happen. Also, I'm afraid it is a fact we will not be conceding three outside the box screamers every game. The likelihood of conceding those goals is very low. Could it happen again? Yes. Will it happen every game? No. We weren't good and deserved to lose two weeks. It's positive we probably had the better chances in both those games though. Maybe we need to attack more and blow teams away? Our squad having no quality in depth is our biggest issue right now. It'll take time.

First is a defensive error, then three great hits. We won't be conceding three screamers every game, this is a fact. I'd imagine it's rare for any side to concede three from outside the box in the same game. We weren't good and deserved to lose regardless.

I fancy it. Didn't fancy Leeds or Saints. It's all the timing. Leeds more for the fact I just couldn't see us winning five in a row. And we could have. Saints was three worldies which we won't be conceding every week.

I think they're a worse side than the teams we played.

That 343 is so horrible. Wonder if he'll let Kane drop off like he has been for Spurs.

I can think of one troll who will.

This is an easier match than Liverpool, Leicester, Leeds and Southampton.

Sad to see some fans finally turn. Can't believe he's lasted over 100 games. Insanity. The owners think they're bulletproof. Made Champions League last year because Leicester and Chelsea blew up to a remarkable degree. That no way will two others slip and let them in behind City and Liverpool this season. Some great work v PSG and Leipzig undone tonight. Tremendous arrogance from Solskjaer to think he could start Mata et al and think he can win. Really hope they beat Everton so this silliness can carry on. Not only are they getting no results, they look absolute garbage. Many of their underlying data numbers are also garbage. On xG they are 16th

Only the shit ones.

Oh yeah, I remember the Southampton game. The one where we lost by one goal? It's definitely quality on the bench. We have nothing. Absolutely nothing.

According to raw numbers, how we compare to other sides this season. Be good to see it first four v last two. Or maybe in games we win v games we don't win in a few weeks time. Does feel like we're swinging to opposite ends of the performance spectrum without hanging round in the middle too much.

Where have you seen this mate?

That what happens when you run like they do in games then stupidly train yourselves into the ground. It's why Bielsa has won nothing in his career. They'll have many other games this season dead on their feet and they'll all be funny to watch.

Because they're miles better than anything else at the club. Was handy against Liverpool and Leicester. They're 1st and 2nd in the table if you're interested.

If he isn't a better player than Trez he's a waste of £19m.

Balance isn't working I agree. However, I think player underperformance, especially Barkley, as opposed to much else is to blame the last two games though. Balance wasn't right in Sheff U, Fulham or Leicester either. Very tough to press as a 4231, that's why many of the top pressing sides play 433. Liverpool, City, Barca, Real, PSG. Other teams are trying different things but that's a solid shape for a top side trying to dominate. Smith is trying to do it. If we play 4231, we'll be standing off teams more and I don't think he likes it. Doesn't see not dominating as a good way of trying to win games. Makes sense. I'd love to see McGinn charge around on the right of a front three. Absolutely zero doubt he'd be better than Trez or Traore. Zero. I'd be interested in starting Ramsey over Barkley at Arsenal. Get some real legs in there, not sure what's been up with Barkley last two games. There is so few decent options in terms of personnel. Smith has attracted more criticism than is fair after four wins to kick off. He's gone and broken people's expectations again. Needs to stop doing that.

After Arsenal, there's three games in a row he can contribute in. Largely happy for him to start those games, get his 4 goals/assists and drop back out the side.

It was really funny when he went down and the TV showed Smith. "Is he going off?! **** me."

Any replays of him and Grealish having a chat over the pen? Looked like Jack said no initially? I would much prefer Jack taking them personally, but glad Watkins is keen if he is going to be the #1 taker.

Not good no. 11 goals scored in four is positive. I like xG and I think it's a good way of assessing how a side is playing in general. You're correct here, taking it in isolation for one game isn't advisable. We deserved to lose today for that first half. It does show I suppose they were ultra-clinical today. Three goals that were excellent strikes that you'd think we wouldn't concede most weeks. I agree. We got promoted last season, the squad isn't up to a good PL standard at all yet. Some money has been wasted but we're fortunate our generous owners have given us a chance. Watkins to the wing not a bad idea for an experiment. We could move Trez across to the left and stick Grealish deeper where he can get us going. Anyone in midfield can be dropped and replaced with Grealish, his average games are still well ahead of anyone we have. Cash starts for me. Elmo gets roasted by any PL winger 95 times out of 100. McGinn and Luiz will make it work, I believe in them both. Have they been that great? No. Would I want Nakamba or Hourihane or Ramsey starting at Arsenal ahead of either? No.

Southampton and Leeds have the same tactics every game.

Smith's reaction