Our next match is a trip down to London to face Crystal Palace in the league. This is our last game before the international break.
The matchday officials are:
Referee: Tony Harrington.
Assistants: Mat Wilkes, Steve Meredith.
Fourth official: Tom Kirk.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.
Whoever starts on the flanks, we need to provide better quality service to Van Dijk.
This is an awkward match on the back of two defeats.
We all understand and appreciate that this is a time for patience and allowing the manager a bit of breathing space.
But some players need to start turning up, and putting in a better shift…
I hope Allison starts and Virgil. They need a,performance to get their heads straight.
Defence picks itself…
Nyoni with MacAllister, Wirtz ahead.
I would go with Munoz right, Isak and Rio.
The return of Araujo will do the defence the world of good. We lacked his determination and fighting spirit in Turkey. On the other hand, Gomez was one of the better players in that match. Maybe it’s time to give Jacquet a rest and to keep Gomez in the side, if his body can cope with that?
Otherwise, I’d go with the same team which started against Arsenal. They did well and were unlucky to be on the losing side to be fair with them.
We should be able to deal with this lot way better than Arsenal. If Adam Wharton harbours any ambition in joining us, he better show that he is better than anyone in our squad in passing the ball forwards and can screen the back line better than Nyoni or Macca.
I wouldn’t start Munoz.
This already feels a bit like a must win. Just in terms of turning things around. Crystal Palace are one of the worst teams in the league right now so anything less than 3 points would be a failure.
Despite our recent results though I’m definitely finding us a load more exciting to watch than under Slot and our defensive issues are less about our tactical approach and more about individual errors.
How’s our new goalkeeper doing? Anyone seen anything of him?
Equally, anyone know when Leoni might return?
Euh! I’m not sure about that. 
I have the feeling the manager needs to at least give some players a piece of his mind and demand more.
I think we need to have patience…Let the manager do his job and give him a bit of time.
Sure, and of course we don’t know what he’s trying or doing though we do know who he’s selecting.
I was very disappointed with the Fenerbaçhe match so really still just reacting to that, in general I think he’s doing ok.
The question is how much time do you afford him before asking more serious questions?
I think we’re at a stage where we can start asking more serious questions and by January should be in a position to see what ‘real’ progress has been made.
Of course January also brings another window and new incomings might mean a little reset and a little more patience.
I definitely like some changes that I’ve seen and understand that some of those has complicated things for the players however I’ll leave that to other threads if they come up.
Personally, I am prepared to give him this season.
CL places, good CL run, maybe a domestic cup run. All achievable with the talent we have.
But to be really challenging, he needs this season and more expectation for 27/28
I’m sure that Andoni and his team will know the personnel, tactics and formation to see us through this game.
Please let us have a decent ref.
COYR YNWA 
This is really it. The squad still has some glaring issues and he’ll be figuring that out as he goes along.
This season is all about him coaching the team to play his style, but that can’t happen overnight. He’ll be working with the lads upstairs to identify areas where we want to strengthen, and that will likely mean shipping some of the playing squad out. I have a feeling Szob will be sold on, same with Grav, but maybe not in the same window.
We need upgrades at LB and probably RB assuming Bradley’s injury woes continue, we need an upgrade at GK, and a true RW. Lastly, we really need a CDM/no. 6 to be able to control games and win the midfield battle.
The most disappointing thing about last night was the lack of leaders on the pitch. Nobody is out there keeping us organized and demanding high standards - we had Salah, Hendo, Milner, VVD, TAA, Robbo all doing that in years past. VVD looks like he can’t be arsed anymore. Still a top player, but he’s just not captaining the team or the defense well anymore. Need some spine and leadership on the pitch to get back to the top.
This! We haven’t a leader or leadership on the pitch and that is down to recruitment and nothing to with Iraola. I can’t see how this can be fixed.
Noticed the backline with Gomez and VVD in has looked very poor. Like even poorer than it has in general.
The questions are not on Iraola, I think generally he has shown the ability to start getting us to play again. We will have peaks and troughs and its why I suggested a title tilt was not on (However we might have had a better chance if we hadn’t been screwed over).
Gloomy after our long distance flight defeat in Turkey? We are not Manchester United. We are very well run club. Time is the essence. While Crystal palace is just around the corner. I expect an attacking team has a better result.
Again, United are shit.
Just like the Brighton match - Palace playing tonight is going to help us win on Sunday.
I hadn’t realised they were in Europe. UEFA cup, so there is a possibility that they could be relegated and qualify for the Champions League in the same season.
Please tell me Sarr is injured? I dont think I can take this cunt having another worldie against us.