Hopper

Yeah I am.

Because the players that have joined this season know the score. Ramsdale included. The last time we were relegated the squad was by and large a bunch of mercenaries. This is a team who have bought into the project. I think our retention would be much higher.

Yesterday was a good example of why we need to stay the course. We were on the wrong end of the result because of 2 individual errors. Brentford and Thomas Frank are the blueprint. They play in their way and they stuck by the manager who has developed his team over a number of seasons to suit the way he wants to play. Reading through X this morning I was pleasantly surprised at the optimism I saw. I think many of us agree that we’d rather fight and try to play and fail. Than resort to Dyche ball (Which is also spectacularly failing right now) In some regards yesterday was a blessing. It’s reinforced that MF, TB, AL and CA are a cut above JA, WS & AA. It also showed that the 5 at the back experiment isn’t working. Russ for all his stubbornness does have the humility to admit when he’s got it wrong and to his credit made the right changes early in the match… a penny drop moment? The individual errors will stop or the players will get dropped. Outside of those we have looked OK defensively and whilst people say stats can deceive which is obviously true to a degree I do believe that possession. Based play is helping to mitigate the number of chances teams are having against us. Our total shots and on target stats were not bad yesterday but we were undone by individual sloppiness and not being clinical enough. If Arma burries that chance before half time it’s a totally different game. I see this season as a gift and a free hit. I’m fully behind Russ and his team and I think it will come good. If it doesn’t we’re in a very good spot next season rather than the turmoil of our last relegation.

He’s made the changes needed now let’s see what they can do.

This game is crying out for Big Les and Fernandes to give a bit more bite and creativity.

It might be the same players but I don’t think we will be set up the same way. Russ conceded he had the attacker too wide against Forrest.

Diaz is 6’1” mate what are you yapping 😂

Man Mole-hill*

I'm not so sure. ABK I think will still fetch a decent fee £15M range. Onuachu is still appealling for a certain type of team and we obviously didn't want to sell for £7M or he'd be gone. Sulamana easily the most washed, lucky to get much over £5M there. But then who thought we'd get £10M for Seku? 😅

On the PSR issue. I think although we've got a bloated squad for right now we're in a pretty good position long term. ABK Onuachu Sulamana Gotta think there is 30-40M there. Wouldn't surprise me to see Edozie leaving in the next couple of windows.

Absolutely mate. We're all pulling for the same team. I was just trying to illustrate how hopefully it will be different to last time. 🤞

I think they are more experienced than you'd imagine. THB Downes Archer I believe all three have around 100+ Senior appearances each. Not at this level obviously but it's not the same as when we brought in Edozie, Charles, Bazunu etc. who all had very few senior matches to their names.

I mean you can move the goalposts if you want 😂 All of them have considerable experience in this league and whether on the pitch or in the dressing room there is a lot of value in having them at the club. Ramsdale is a nailed on starter. I would expect one of either Fraser or Cornet involved most weeks. C.Taylor is only not in the team because experienced PL fullback KWP is playing ahead of him and Lallana was brought in specifically BECAUSE of his experience to help both on pitch and develop SAA and Dibling. Im not sure what you are expecting of them 🤷‍♂️

I was looking at this and actually thought we've done well in bringing in experience. Especially given most of these were on a free. Aaron Ramsdale Arsenal €21.40m Adam Lallana Brighton free transfer Charlie Taylor Burnley free transfer Ryan Fraser Newcastle free transfer Maxwel Cornet West Ham loan transfer All bring in a good deal of premier league experience and I think the mix is pretty good now.

I think we've both just moved on, and that's how it should be.

I think the business done is incredible and we need to give credit to the whole team at the club for that. We've got ample cover in every area of the pitch now. A top drawer keeper and some exciting prospects. The worst case scenario is that we go down swinging. But It's going to be a fun ride and I think we have enough quality to really fight for saftey. Russ is building a project here. Last season felt like the foundations being laid (THB, Flynn etc.) This season feels like we've built on that. If we can survive I believe we've got a great chance to establish ourselves. If we do go down, most all of the players brought in seem prepared for that and have been brought in with one eye on that being a distinct possibility. Bring on Brentford, and bring on the season. COYS

Beat me to it haha

If I were Russ I'd sit down with those that haven't gone and tell them they have a clean slate. Buy in to the team and you can earn the right to play. Anyone who's not bought in, let them train alone and move them on in January.

It's an option. Confirmed on SSN.

Thought I heard he was going to be out for 12 weeks.

As a creative I feel qualified to say... that graphic is shocking.

Hadn't read "unlikely". Only that there was uncertainty as to whether the deal sheet was in on time. Can't imagine it wasn't given how early he was down for the medical.

Great bants in the interview. Could you imagine that happening under Mad Nate? 😂 Chuffed to have the Wee man back and I think the squad are too.

This is some wholesome shit. Exemplifies the togetherness we've seen built under Russ.

Oh Sorry I thought you meanth Keeper... Yeah not quite so bad for outfield players!