- Aug 4, 2005
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Not that I'm a fan of XG but I'm sure I've read we are top of the charts as far as XGA from set pieces.
Haven't got the stats to hand but I'm pretty sure we are one of the worst teams yes.
Not that I'm a fan of XG but I'm sure I've read we are top of the charts as far as XGA from set pieces.
What is with these "journalists" incessant need to try and have a "gotcha" moment over Ange? He literally sees it coming a mile away and easily breaks it down.
I really don't see how people can be disappointed with how the season has gone.
4th or 5th is a very good return based on our early season injury problems and how many young inexperienced players have adapted to the league.
The worries at the start of the season were clear. We'd lost our best player, we had signed a lot of inexperienced players, we had to adapt to completely different style of football with a new manager, that none of our players were really accustomed to.
We were worried about Son being on the way out, injury worries over Richarlison, Bissouma and Bentancur.
Disciplinary issues with Romero and Sarr, Udogie, Porro, Maddison, Vicario, VDV, Werner (half season) and Johnson in their first full season with us.
Games have got tougher as more teams are going all out defence against us, even this is a positive.
The positives are too numerous to count. The negatives are that we didn't do well in the cups and a few players like Kulusevski and Bentancur not being as good as expected.
Looking at the way we've bought and how we've addressed our issues in the transfer market (Werner and Dragusin in January for example) has been a breath of fresh air.
This summer for the first time in what seems like an eternity we will be going into the transfer market in a position of strength.
We've had a few bad results, but even then our performances haven't been that bad. If we get CL that will be a bonus, but we are all but guaranteed European football next season.
We already have Bergval to look forward to in the Summer and no doubt we will add at least 2/3 more. Our scouting system is now at an elite level so we have a reason to believe that those additions will be of a high quality.
We can also expect improvement from the majority of the squad due to the age and talent of the players we have.
Step back and look at the positives and negatives this season and we can see we are in a much stronger position.
I think the criticism of Arteta had little to do with signing Raya and a lot to do with how he discussed and went about utilising the two keepers at his disposal. For example, talking about the potential to routinely substitute his keeper mid-game as an elaborate tactical option.He's got some big decisions to make in the summer. Needs to be harsh imo. Arteta was ridiculed over Raya but he was right. Ange needs to make big calls some of which we might not like
Great post and agree with 99% of it, nice one!I really don't see how people can be disappointed with how the season has gone.
4th or 5th is a very good return based on our early season injury problems and how many young inexperienced players have adapted to the league.
The worries at the start of the season were clear. We'd lost our best player, we had signed a lot of inexperienced players, we had to adapt to completely different style of football with a new manager, that none of our players were really accustomed to.
We were worried about Son being on the way out, injury worries over Richarlison, Bissouma and Bentancur.
Disciplinary issues with Romero and Sarr, Udogie, Porro, Maddison, Vicario, VDV, Werner (half season) and Johnson in their first full season with us.
Games have got tougher as more teams are going all out defence against us, even this is a positive.
The positives are too numerous to count. The negatives are that we didn't do well in the cups and a few players like Kulusevski and Bentancur not being as good as expected.
Looking at the way we've bought and how we've addressed our issues in the transfer market (Werner and Dragusin in January for example) has been a breath of fresh air.
This summer for the first time in what seems like an eternity we will be going into the transfer market in a position of strength.
We've had a few bad results, but even then our performances haven't been that bad. If we get CL that will be a bonus, but we are all but guaranteed European football next season.
We already have Bergval to look forward to in the Summer and no doubt we will add at least 2/3 more. Our scouting system is now at an elite level so we have a reason to believe that those additions will be of a high quality.
We can also expect improvement from the majority of the squad due to the age and talent of the players we have.
Step back and look at the positives and negatives this season and we can see we are in a much stronger position.
We've scored in 29 of 30 PL games and have averaged >2 goals per game, which is 30% more than we've averaged in the PL overall. If that's not good enough, what's your expectation? Averaging 3 goals per game (that would be a PL record), scoring at least 2 goals in every game (another PL record), and never failing to score in a single match ever?the irony is that under conte, we were supposed to be defense-first and yet we couldn't stop goals against
under ange, we're supposed to be all-out attack, and we can't score
Perhaps wrong use of words, hoped maybe. And I agree and there are signs he's getting back to something near his best, but it'll take time. But yeah definitely not his fault and to be expected.Great post and agree with 99% of it, nice one!
But Bentancur not being as good as expected? What were you expecting this season coming back from such a big injury? He did amazingly to come back so early, to play so well against Villa before he got Cashed and is now finding his feet again after a broken toe with quite a few games left in the season. Most of us said there was no way he'd get back to his best this season based on one injury, not three, and yet he's already flirted with it a couple of times with those two extra injuries to take into account.
I don’t think that’s the reason personally.Set pieces are another reason I think we need a big centre forward. We don't have much threat from set pieces without Richarlison. Conte got a lot wrong but one thing he did well with was set pieces thanks to the set piece specialist. Improve that area by conceding less and scoring a few more then the points swing will be pretty good.