Directed at @Bonus
But heres a “bonus” answer.
He’s not ready for this type of game. He is able for ninety minutes, but not today with blueshite demanding his comeuppance.
If we had an enforcer, like Millie to support him then yes. We had no one to put a straightener on that cunt Martinelli, so today doesn’t fill me with hope of someone sorting their yard dogs.
Normally, I hate shying away from battle. But the boy needs protection this early in his career
I think he needs a gangsta name on his shirt to put people off like Rio.T, short for Rio Terror or like NguMoHawk
thanks @Quicksand
I’d also add that Rio is very talented, but he’s 17 years old.
he left secondary school last summer, like it or not he’s a kid
you cant throw him into 90 mins of EPL football each week,
the pressure, the intensity and the physicality of the league might not be good for his development at his age
his minutes need to be managed, preferably he should coming on when we are winning, playing 15-20 mins no pressure
instead we’re throwing him on when we’re losing and expecting him to dig us out of a hole, or shouting to have start in a derby against a team who are notorious for kicking us off the pitch.
Wonder which of these dirty fuckers is going to mame one of our lads this time. Cunts.
It’s an oddly quiet match day… strange mix of “can it get worse” mixed with “can I feel worse” mixed with “whatever”… for me at least. Of course a win is hoped for but there is a slight resignation for me that we are a pretty good bet for 5th (4th at a push) but even getting that won’t lift the malaise that is underlying. For me that is a lack of an attractive playing style and identity. Slot or not we have to see the signs of those two things before the end of the season.
And Barcelona rely on an 18 year old… I don’t think age or experience should be the main factor here. Play the best player. Currently Ngumoha is one of our three best attackers (I don’t expect him to play, but I would start him personally).
I would play Robertson and Gomez as full backs.
Rio on the left. Mo right.
I thought Gomez is injured for this match
Well that does not work then!
I’d take that.
Curtis yellow card or even a red?
I’m struggling to think who the other two might be, currently. I’m not sure the comparison with Yamal at Barca works, because the team around him aren’t struggling like we are.
Anyway, to me the point is that we shouldn’t have to be relying on Rio at his age. Where are the more established players? When will they put a shift in and make something happen? We haven’t seen much of them at all this season, regardless of injuries.
To paraphrase Bill Shankly, Rio should be playing the piano, not carrying the bloody thing!
I think both Curtis and Robbo had to start in the derby
Salah and Isak start ? So we’re playing with 9 men then.
Two goalies on the bench. They say there is safety in numbers.
This is going to be a struggle, real struggle.
Glad to see Chiesa on the bench, so he can come on when we’re 2-0 down, with 5 minutes to go.
What I see when Chiesa is on the pitch
