Team v Barcelona

[chinaman]

Hope KWP achieves another MOTM, and we won't have to argue about the RB position anymore.

 

[scat1620]

Just cannot see us winning this match, so I'm really hoping PSV snatch a fluky draw in Italy and that we can hold Barcelona to the same.

 

[dtxspurs]

Neither Serge or Trippier have travelled. Time for KWP.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

@thinktank if Dele is average 9 games out of 10 as you’ve intimated in this thread, how do you explain 40 league goals, 27 league assists in just 117 premier league matches by 22 years old. I’m no huge lover of stats, but that output is quite incredible, especially considering he is neither our main goal scorer not main creator, and would just not be possible if his performance level was as inconsistent as you assert. Yes, he can rally on the ball, make poor decisions and bevwasteful, though this has improved dramatically, but his level has been consistently top class and to say otherwise amazes me.

 

[Mr Pink]

Neither Serge or Trippier have travelled. Time for KWP.

Are both ruled out for Saturday?

 

[JimmyG2]

Lloris
KWP/Foyth/Toby/ Verts/Rose
Skipp/ Winks/Dier/Sissoko/
Dele/Son/Eriksen
Kane
That's 14 so we should have a decent chance.
If the ref doesn't notice slip another Academician on
if there's any hanging about.
If he does put Foyth and Skipp back on the bench.
Tell them to keep moving about before kick off
so the ref can't count them.

 

[mark87]

Are both ruled out for Saturday?

Probably won't find out until Friday latest.

 

[Giovanni]

Not being funny but even beating barca's B team which is full of youngsters will be a massive ask at the nou camp. Teams just dont win their regardless. Even if we went 2up they would bring messi on and no doubt he would rescue the.

Having said that i will always believe just like others do. If we can not have any brain-farts and make the most of our chance then who knows.

Best hope is a shock defeat/draw for psv

 

[thinktank]

@thinktank if Dele is average 9 games out of 10 as you’ve intimated in this thread, how do you explain 40 league goals, 27 league assists in just 117 premier league matches by 22 years old. I’m no huge lover of stats, but that output is quite incredible, especially considering he is neither our main goal scorer not main creator, and would just not be possible if his performance level was as inconsistent as you assert. Yes, he can rally on the ball, make poor decisions and bevwasteful, though this has improved dramatically, but his level has been consistently top class and to say otherwise amazes me.

Valid point.

Good few matchday threads I've bettered him for being rubbish - which he had been - and then he might end up getting a goal.

I watch him closely every game and it's frequently the same story - poor choices, tepid application, losing the ball high up.

Qualitatively it can effect our overall game, momentum, tempo etc.

So him periodically picking off goals isn't the whole story.

Tons of matchday threads on here with people onto him for the same reasons.

I don't think I'm alone in my evaluation of him.

The margins are so tight; I think Dele is an element that needs more consideration in how/when he's used.

I didn't say not to involve him; I said I would not start him in this specific game.

He's not our Messi. Dunno why people have such a fig up their arse about it. If he had had a typically unspectacular performance in the last game it wouldn't be an issue.

But "wow, what a performance against LEICESTER!".

Come on.

P.S. If he does play and brings his best and stuns the Camp Nou, then I'll happily eat shit. Fearing being wrong never an issue in me putting forward an opinion. Love being wrong if it means we win.

 

[buckley]

well I have to say for me Dele would be up there with Toby; Kane;Erricson as first pick every time when fit the young man is brilliant and we are a better team with him in it boys

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Valid point.

Good few matchday threads I've bettered him for being rubbish - which he had been - and then he might end up getting a goal.

I watch him closely every game and it's frequently the same story - poor choices, tepid application, losing the ball high up.

Qualitatively it can effect our overall game, momentum, tempo etc.

So him periodically picking off goals isn't the whole story.

Tons of matchday threads on here with people onto him for the same reasons.

I don't think I'm alone in my evaluation of him.

The margins are so tight; I think Dele is an element that needs more consideration in how/when he's used.

I didn't say not to involve him; I said I would not start him in this specific game.

He's not our Messi. Dunno why people have such a fig up their arse about it. If he had had a typically unspectacular performance in the last game it wouldn't be an issue.

But "wow, what a performance against LEICESTER!".

Come on.

P.S. If he does play and brings his best and stuns the Camp Nou, then I'll happily eat shit. Fearing being wrong never an issue in me putting forward an opinion. Love being wrong if it means we win.

I think it's more than periodically, it's sustained and consistent contribution on both goals and assists for the entire duration of his time with us, and that's accounting for spells where he has been quite poor as well. I don't think anybody, and certainly not me, is claiming he is our Messi. And you're certainly not alone in your valuation of him, but I targeted you with my post as you are quite prominent with your viewpoint and so best placed to respond to my view point. I also know you're not saying he should be uninvolved, so I don't take umbrage with you not picking him for this match (though I do disagree), I just feel that saying he is good enough only once every ten games (I'm assuming you don't deem 'average' as being good enough) is incorrect, because I don't think any player could possible post such great returns over such an extended period of time while underperforming more than over performing, especially in a team with as many talented players as ours. To contrast it, Lamela (pre this season) has spent most matches he has played involved in masses of our best attacking play, been arguably our best presser of the ball, provide quick and generally intelligent passing and kept us in possession (either through good recycling or good ball winning) very well, but he's never come close to posting the types of goal and assist output that Dele has, and while there is a very tangible value to what Lamela has contributed, it is far more replaceable than what Dele has given us and therefore (in my opinion) not as valuable. And i say this as someone who loves Lamela and was one of his most ardent supporters when most on this site were fed up of him.

 

[thinktank]

I just feel that saying he is good enough only once every ten games...

Yeah..probably a bit too harsh.

 

[EQP]

Would go with the following team. Would be relying on the FB's to be on form and get forward often.


TOBY - DIER - JAN
KWP -- SISSOKO -- WINKS --- ROSE
DELE ------ ERIKSEN
KANE​

 

[SEANSPURS1975]

 

[dondo]

KWP will play and have a blinder- Game of his life. COYS

And then not play again for the rest of the season

 

[Lighty64]

Poch's approach to games can be a bit one-size-fits-all. I'd like to see us/him remember how we played Madrid when we beat them and apply that more often in important, high-level games, like this.

.

The same game Dele scored 2 goals in last season

 

[Lighty64]

Ha ha, that would be nice. I’m holding a torch that PSV will do us a favour and we will sneak in through back door. Inter’s goalkeeper was very lucky not be sent off at 0-1 in Eindhoven, so hopefully they will get some karma.

trouble is PSV have absolutely nothing to play for, just like Barca. whatever the results are tonight Barca will finish top, and PSV will finish rock bottom.

 

[Lighty64]

Lloris
KWP/Foyth/Toby/ Verts/Rose
Skipp/ Winks/Dier/Sissoko/
Dele/Son/Eriksen
Kane
That's 14 so we should have a decent chance.
If the ref doesn't notice slip another Academician on
if there's any hanging about.
If he does put Foyth and Skipp back on the bench.
Tell them to keep moving about before kick off
so the ref can't count them.

doubt the ref would catch us cheating with Foyth unless he travelled to be in the group, but doubt he will be wearing a kit as he isn't in our 22 man squad

 

[bubble07]

View attachment 42904

Sissoko for Winks and you've nailed it

 

[Flashspur]

I wouldn't start Dele in this game.

Own up. You forgot about him.