Well if we keep playing like this at the back all season we are going down..
Leno is not premier league standard, and our defence is creakier than a burst water main.
Arbeloa has problems..
Enter Mick........... (Insert Tony Khan slander here)
Wasnt able to watch thw gane today but looking at the chelsea game i thought we are way to wide and simply buying a fast cb wont fix the issue. If we're going to play as we did against chelsea we need three at the back, because we're too open for counters. And wheb we're passing the ball about at the back leno always seems to run out of players to pass it to and knocks it to the opponent
Sack him now get McKenna in. ::wink::
Painfully slow, where is the urgency?
They missed a similar opportunity a few minutes before and we didnt learn. Defence all over the place as in reality that was an extremely soft goal to concede.
your being too kind ...... Some truly awful performances only matched by ridiculous managerial decisions.
We have a long way to go, but I'm not getting a good vibe from this team. Could be a very long season for us.
Agree that Leno needs replacing. He takes so long to clear the ball the opposition mark our players and he has no option but to kick it long. It invariably goes to an opponent. Couldn't believe his effort for their goal. Embarrassing goalkeeping.
Quote from: howitis on August 30, 2026, 03:56:22 PMyour being too kind ...... Some truly awful performances only matched by ridiculous managerial decisions.
Sess for Castagne on the right baffled me,no wonder Tim didn't look too happy when going off.
Anyone for Eddie Howe?
Feel sorry for those that went up to Sunderland, OMG I have just lost 2 hour of my life watching that on TV which I will never get back
Can't add much other than, for all the poor performances and errors today, the CM of Berge & Iwobi was a big mistake!
Crazy as it sounds, I'm thinking Lecomte for Leno may not be far away.
And I never thought I would say that!
Palace is a must win next weekend...
Three L's out of three will get the red alert klaxons ringing.
Leno is driving me crazy when he just stands there with the ball for 10 minutes.
The OP does like to use the phrase 'utter dross'. I can't disagree on this occasion.
Whenever Leno received the ball and began passing it to our defenders before getting it back, my heart would race. This was never his strongest part of the game.
A list of issues:
1. Palacios - On the wind, dreadful only pulled off after 70'
2. Taking Castagne off, he'd kept that side quiet.
3. Playing a high-line but not pressing well at all.
4. Andersen being asked to play a high line.
5. Garcia has apparently 0 physicality to win any long ball.
6. Arbeloa lacks adaptability, you could see when we pushed forward we couldn't break them down, throw Muniz on try get the crosses going then.
7. Lightweight, we cannot win 2nd balls because Bobb, King, Palacios cannot push people off it a high press needs physicality to dispossess and spring attacks.
8. If you've let a team hit the post because your fullbacks are in their half maybe drop back a bit.
Overall, excited for the championship next season.
Quote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 04:08:45 PMPalace is a must win next weekend...
Three L's out of three will get the red alert klaxons ringing.
Yeah I wouldn't expect much out of that game. Even allowing for them being our bogey team.
Quote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on August 30, 2026, 04:00:54 PMAnyone for Eddie Howe?
Absolutely. If we can. But we've gotta give Arbeloa a chance. Problem is whoever comes in next is stuck with Arbeloa's players whom they may not value (Palacios, Angel (if he comes))
Quote from: Rambler on August 30, 2026, 04:14:16 PMQuote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on August 30, 2026, 04:00:54 PMAnyone for Eddie Howe?
Absolutely. If we can. But we've gotta give Arbeloa a chance. Problem is whoever comes in next is stuck with Arbeloa's players whom they may not value (Palacios, Angel (if he comes))
Hahaha behave yourselves.
Leno can't be trusted on the floor with his passing...
His biggest asset is his shot stopping, the rest of it is a complete lottery.
He needs to go.
Quote from: Rambler on August 30, 2026, 04:14:16 PMQuote from: Moussa Dembele the 3rd on August 30, 2026, 04:00:54 PMAnyone for Eddie Howe?
Absolutely. If we can. But we've gotta give Arbeloa a chance. Problem is whoever comes in next is stuck with Arbeloa's players whom they may not value (Palacios, Angel (if he comes))
Madrid will be rubbing their hands together if we go down..
They'll rake it in from sell on clauses!
1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
Quote from: smallfulhamman on August 30, 2026, 04:11:48 PMA list of issues:
1. Palacios - On the wind, dreadful only pulled off after 70'
2. Taking Castagne off, he'd kept that side quiet.
3. Playing a high-line but not pressing well at all.
4. Andersen being asked to play a high line.
5. Garcia has apparently 0 physicality to win any long ball.
6. Arbeloa lacks adaptability, you could see when we pushed forward we couldn't break them down, throw Muniz on try get the crosses going then.
7. Lightweight, we cannot win 2nd balls because Bobb, King, Palacios cannot push people off it a high press needs physicality to dispossess and spring attacks.
8. If you've let a team hit the post because your fullbacks are in their half maybe drop back a bit.
Overall, excited for the championship next season.
On #2,3, and 4, taking off Castagne affected all of those. Up until then I was pleasantly satisfied with the back 4 defensively. We all know Andersen is not going to win foot races with Strikers from the halfway line. They had suitably dealt with that issue as a unit up until then.
I am starting to get Luciano Vietto vibes with Palacios. Don't want to write off a young player too quickly, but someone needs to explain to me how he is better than ESR in that left sided role. It would seem to be ideally suited to Rowe's skills.
Quote from: WolverineFFC on August 30, 2026, 04:19:43 PMQuote from: smallfulhamman on August 30, 2026, 04:11:48 PMA list of issues:
1. Palacios - On the wind, dreadful only pulled off after 70'
2. Taking Castagne off, he'd kept that side quiet.
3. Playing a high-line but not pressing well at all.
4. Andersen being asked to play a high line.
5. Garcia has apparently 0 physicality to win any long ball.
6. Arbeloa lacks adaptability, you could see when we pushed forward we couldn't break them down, throw Muniz on try get the crosses going then.
7. Lightweight, we cannot win 2nd balls because Bobb, King, Palacios cannot push people off it a high press needs physicality to dispossess and spring attacks.
8. If you've let a team hit the post because your fullbacks are in their half maybe drop back a bit.
Overall, excited for the championship next season.
On #2,3, and 4, taking off Castagne affected all of those. Up until then I was pleasantly satisfied with the back 4 defensively. We all know Andersen is not going to win foot races with Strikers from the halfway line. They had suitably dealt with that issue as a unit up until then.
I am starting to get Luciano Vietto vibes with Palacios. Don't want to write off a young player too quickly, but someone needs to explain to me how he is better than ESR in that lefaciost sided role. It would seem to be ideally suited to Rowe's skills.
He has to pick Palacios,as he been telling everyone that this Real Madrid boy is the greatest.😅😅😅
Quote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 04:15:22 PMHis biggest asset is his shot stopping
If that's his biggest asset we're in BIG trouble. He's been one of the worst shot stoppers in the PL the past few seasons.
Blimey. Was there any encouragement at all to be had from that?
Are we all over reacting a little bit? Until they scored we had the GarcÃa chance and they hit the post for the best chances of the game.
They are VERY good at home.
However my questions:
Why play palacios, he has barely any experience at this level and it showed. ESR to start
Why play so wide and far forward, it's obvious we're going to give up many identical goals this season
Why not just stick Lecomte in goal. It can't be worse than Leno? Now obviously I'm not a professional goalkeeper but can anyone enlighten me why he went with his feet and not his hands?
Sess on the right - he did ok didn't he? We were getting in a few good positions then.
Got to agree woth Chris Sutton, current team is relegated
Silva in!
Quote from: smallfulhamman on August 30, 2026, 04:11:48 PMA list of issues:
1. Palacios - On the wind, dreadful only pulled off after 70'
2. Taking Castagne off, he'd kept that side quiet.
3. Playing a high-line but not pressing well at all.
4. Andersen being asked to play a high line.
5. Garcia has apparently 0 physicality to win any long ball.
6. Arbeloa lacks adaptability, you could see when we pushed forward we couldn't break them down, throw Muniz on try get the crosses going then.
7. Lightweight, we cannot win 2nd balls because Bobb, King, Palacios cannot push people off it a high press needs physicality to dispossess and spring attacks.
8. If you've let a team hit the post because your fullbacks are in their half maybe drop back a bit.
Overall, excited for the championship next season.
Yeah and we will still beat Spurs
Quote from: Trusty Steed on August 30, 2026, 03:52:24 PMEnter Mick........... (Insert Tony Khan slander here)
You can add me to that. I don't know if it is TK to blame any more or just a total third rate management structure that likes to play Russian roulette.
It is clear we have a worse squad than last season, a manager that is a novice and hell bent on playing a style rather than being pragmatic and playing a system that suits the staff.
 We are now hoping against hope that the management will be bringing in players before the end of tomorrow.... heaven know what dross they have lined up.
I suspect we will end up with another multi manager season and then languish for a few years in a division other than the Prem. I may be wrong but so far it is playing out much as I anticipated and can't see a reason that my worst fears will not be realised.
I'd be tempted to put Shea Charles in the middle of the back three....
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@flyingfish i also dont understand why AA keeps playing palacios on the wing. IMO he is too slow to be a winger, to me he would be better suited in cm indtead of iwobi, but ultimately i would like to see charles there.
As to the point that we're playing too wide, i also agree. Need to play a back three or one of our cm needs to drop behind to create a back three
Quote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
My concern is these 'Real Madrid' youth players, he is showing loyalty, which could be detrimental to the team. He will play them. Even if they aren't ready.
The 'Àngel' player we are supposedly getting, great technically, very small, and his price is half that of Palacios. So we may have another weak link
Quote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Panicking is never good, but arbeloa does have to react accordingly and drop palacios and tweak the defense. Also wouldnt say both games were a disaster as we were offensively very good against a top 6 side
Where's Nick Bateman when you need him....
Is Dyche available?
Thank fully was watching the cricket today so missed it.
It was a dreadful game to watch even for a neutral .
Quote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Well, I'll optimistically, disagree. We will have 14 points after 10 games. Marco had plenty of similar toothless away performances.
Quote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 05:12:09 PMQuote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Well, I'll optimistically, disagree. We will have 14 points after 10 games. Marco had plenty of similar toothless away performances.
The next Amorim.
Quote from: AustrianGeezer on August 30, 2026, 04:55:52 PMQuote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Panicking is never good, but arbeloa does have to react accordingly and drop palacios and tweak the defense. Also wouldnt say both games were a disaster as we were offensively very good against a top 6 side
Yeah, it's only two matches so I'm not going to overreact, but one thing that really does concern me about AA is his decision to start Palacios today. Hell, I didn't like it against Chelsea, but the fact he watched that performance and thought he should start him again does make me wonder.
Quote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 05:12:41 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 05:12:09 PMQuote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Well, I'll optimistically, disagree. We will have 14 points after 10 games. Marco had plenty of similar toothless away performances.
The next Amorim.
I doubt we'll sack him, if we're 6th in the Prem. But admire your ambition.
I'm already starting to get Steve Marlet vibes with a potentially talented player out of position and an inflexible manager who will persist in doing what he's always done. Early days I know and AA might surprise me but I'm concerned that stubbornness might rapidly prove his undoing.
Quote from: Chi_FFC on August 30, 2026, 05:14:09 PMQuote from: AustrianGeezer on August 30, 2026, 04:55:52 PMQuote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 04:51:50 PMQuote from: andyk on August 30, 2026, 04:17:51 PM1 awful performance out of 3, albeit includes a lower div side. 10 games is the mark, before we panic.
I think it is a good time to start panicking.
Both performances in the prem have disaster written all over them.
A manager that refuses to adapt and play a style that suits is a recipe for disaster.
The manager is a novice, he is a mega gamble. I hope i am proved wrong but by the time we get to Novermber 1st I suspect we will be in big trouble.
Panicking is never good, but arbeloa does have to react accordingly and drop palacios and tweak the defense. Also wouldnt say both games were a disaster as we were offensively very good against a top 6 side
Yeah, it's only two matches so I'm not going to overreact, but one thing that really does concern me about AA is his decision to start Palacios today. Hell, I didn't like it against Chelsea, but the fact he watched that performance and thought he should start him again does make me wonder.
Agree, the manager isn't doing Palacios any favours persevering with him as a starter. He's not ready and needs his minutes built up gradually in a similar way that Silva managed King.
Might be a good season for Zepa potentially.
None of our wingers has pace.
For a young player it might be a case of right club right time.
But far too many physically light players in our forward line up. If they were quick different story.
How many games in were Villa before they won last season? Where did they finish?
How many games did Iraola see before his first win with Bournemouth?
Chill, cool heads win wars.
While King looked bright at points, he is like a feather against a physical team.
I said it during preseason and then after Chelsea, we should not be playing our fullbacks as inside left and inside right. Most goals are scored on the break or by set pieces. We are prone to both of these types of goals.
Two games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december. There are promising bits in this but its also a big ask for everyone
So we just have to accept that this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its an ambitious path. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
Quote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
That's cos the DoF hasn't got a scooby doo what he's doing!
It's a completely new system, new players, new coaching staff. It will take some time.
That being said, there are some glaring issues that need to be addressed asap. Berge-Iwobi can't be our starting midfield pivot. Bobb and Palacios need to be less passive. Andersen needs to be more focused or replaced. With Kenny gone, we need a new rb asap. We need at least 3 new players in asap. A rcb, a rb and a cm.
Quote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Agree, the manager isn't doing Palacios any favours persevering with him as a starter. He's not ready and needs his minutes built up gradually in a similar way that Silva managed King.
[/quote]
Also agree. This was not a game for the young lad and my concern is AA did not see that and change it at HT.
Why Shea Charles isnt starting is another mystery.
Frankly we played so ponderously with Leno slowing the game down so much I think that even an unfit TC could have lasted the full 90 !
Iraola had a 4 year track record of success as a senior manager in Spain before he joined Bournemouth. Many on this board thought it was a huge risk for them. Arbeloa was basically a baby sitter for a bunch of superstars for 5 months and before that he only was in charge of La Castilla for 7 months. There is no evidence whatsoever that he is a good manager. He may turn out to be, but it is quite the leap of faith.
Quote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 05:36:51 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
That's cos the DoF hasn't got a scooby doo what he's doing!
He's signed the players Silva wanted and AA wanted so that would suggest otherwise.
Quote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Agree. He will need to balance the issue of getting the team to adapt to his tactics (and the best way to do this is to let the players play in that system) but also being pragmatic and adapting it to opposition.
I still think there are worse teams in the league than us, and I also think that Sunderland, Palace and Bournemouth will struggle this season with European football. So im not desperate in us getting points early in. I think this is a season where we can gamble slightly and give AA time. But as you say, if we see him doing an Amorim then the club need to act before december
Quote from: cookieg on August 30, 2026, 05:53:07 PMQuote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 05:36:51 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
That's cos the DoF hasn't got a scooby doo what he's doing!
He's signed the players Silva wanted and AA wanted so that would suggest otherwise.
Some would suggest that letting a manager dictate which players are bought in, is not a good strategy for a DoF. Getting the
right players for the managers tactics? Absolutely. All for it.
But letting a managers personal preferences of certain indivoduals shape the squad of a football club is risky to say the least.
And some of these people, like me, are likely to base that on having witness Fulhams Lawrie Sanchez era.
Are you guys telling me that our attack, literally the only good part of AA's team & tactics, didn't get a single goal today?
Quote from: demeant0r on August 30, 2026, 06:27:01 PMAre you guys telling me that our attack, literally the only good part of AA's team & tactics, didn't get a single goal today?
if you meant to type "shot on goal" - then yes (to both)
Quote from: DadCreature on August 30, 2026, 06:31:35 PMif you meant to type "shot on goal" - then yes (to both)
Holy fk, I didn't get to the watch the match and only just checked the stats. Zero shots on target...
Quote from: howitis on August 30, 2026, 03:56:22 PMyour being too kind ...... Some truly awful performances only matched by ridiculous managerial decisions.
And a pathetic reaction from the manager - blaming the players with no sense that his tactics need changing for the English game.
Quote from: F(f)CUK on August 30, 2026, 05:34:21 PMI said it during preseason and then after Chelsea, we should not be playing our fullbacks as inside left and inside right. Most goals are scored on the break or by set pieces. We are prone to both of these types of goals.
Agreed. They're fullbacks because they're good at defending not attacking. Centre backs are good at heading not at chasing fast wingers.
Quote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Ahh,the often wrongly attributed quote by Albert Einstein
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"
Only 2 games in give Arebola a decent chance
2 narrow losses, we are finding our way and learning each other's Christian names
A week in the training pitch
Some more additions?
It's all about the response against Palace but also beyond that match
Come on Fulham!!
Quote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Quote from: Coastwalker on August 30, 2026, 04:00:53 PMQuote from: howitis on August 30, 2026, 03:56:22 PMyour being too kind ...... Some truly awful performances only matched by ridiculous managerial decisions.
Sess for Castagne on the right baffled me,no wonder Tim didn't look too happy when going off.
I thought the same at the time, but he got round his fullback more than Bobb ever did.
Quote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 06:14:29 PMQuote from: cookieg on August 30, 2026, 05:53:07 PMQuote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 05:36:51 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
That's cos the DoF hasn't got a scooby doo what he's doing!
He's signed the players Silva wanted and AA wanted so that would suggest otherwise.
Some would suggest that letting a manager dictate which players are bought in, is not a good strategy for a DoF. Getting the right players for the managers tactics? Absolutely. All for it.
But letting a managers personal preferences of certain indivoduals shape the squad of a football club is risky to say the least.
And some of these people, like me, are likely to base that on having witness Fulhams Lawrie Sanchez era.
But the flip side of that was when we got promoted and TK signed Anguissa, Seri etc and that season didn't end well. As you say there has to be a balance.
Quote from: AnotherVicHalomLoveChild on August 30, 2026, 06:48:53 PMQuote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Ahh,the often wrongly attributed quote by Albert Einstein
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"
Only 2 games in give Arebola a decent chance
2 narrow losses, we are finding our way and learning each other's Christian names
A week in the training pitch
Some more additions?
It's all about the response against Palace but also beyond that match
Come on Fulham!!
Unfortunately, the PL is an unforgiving league. We need to get the boys up to speed with his tactics pronto because zero shots on target is not good.
Quote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 04:46:50 PMI'd be tempted to put Shea Charles in the middle of the back three....
Surely that's reserved for Bobb?
We are trying to change the whole set up from top to bottom with an inexperienced coach and tiny players in one season which is not going to work I'm afraid the so called director of football has said it works in make believe wrestling they get beaten up then get off the floor and win.Unfortunately in the real world you loose.
Quote from: Hugh Janus on August 30, 2026, 05:25:49 PMHow many games in were Villa before they won last season? Where did they finish?
How many games did Iraola see before his first win with Bournemouth?
Chill, cool heads win wars.
It's not the result that's the issue here- it's the abysmal performance.
I was worried that AA might be a bit like Wilkins when he managed us: He expected too much from players who didn't have the skill set to perform what was asked. That, along with the fact that we are a bit lightweight compared to many team concerns me. I reckon we're definite candidates for relegation. And yes I know it's only two games in.
I'm not moaning yet he needs time said this and stick with this view. AA will come good once he finds his best 11. It's a new team now we have to get behind him. Not give up after 2 games we played 3 games in 7 days
Quote from: fulhamfever on August 30, 2026, 07:12:23 PMI'm not moaning yet he needs time said this and stick with this view. AA will come good once he finds his best 11. It's a new team now we have to get behind him. Not give up after 2 games we played 3 games in 7 days
His only chance of coming good is to not be stubborn and sticking to tactics that are clearly unsuited to playing against Premier League Teams.
Quote from: AnotherVicHalomLoveChild on August 30, 2026, 06:48:53 PMQuote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Ahh,the often wrongly attributed quote by Albert Einstein
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"
Only 2 games in give Arebola a decent chance
2 narrow losses, we are finding our way and learning each other's Christian names
A week in the training pitch
Some more additions?
It's all about the response against Palace but also beyond that match
Come on Fulham!!
I wan't seeking to quote (or more accurately misquote A Einstein), not sure what gave you that idea?
Quote from: LittleErn on August 30, 2026, 06:38:44 PMQuote from: howitis on August 30, 2026, 03:56:22 PMyour being too kind ...... Some truly awful performances only matched by ridiculous managerial decisions.
And a pathetic reaction from the manager - blaming the players with no sense that his tactics need changing for the English game.
exactly. I was totally shocked by his comments on the offal.... that is very poor and actually dreadful management.
Quote from: fulhamfever on August 30, 2026, 07:12:23 PMI'm not moaning yet he needs time said this and stick with this view. AA will come good once he finds his best 11. It's a new team now we have to get behind him. Not give up after 2 games we played 3 games in 7 days
I agree, we need to get behind him. I just have virtually no faith it will come good. especially after seeing the schoolboy errors he made in tactics and substitutions. This was very poor, alarmingly so.
Quote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 08:47:48 PMQuote from: fulhamfever on August 30, 2026, 07:12:23 PMI'm not moaning yet he needs time said this and stick with this view. AA will come good once he finds his best 11. It's a new team now we have to get behind him. Not give up after 2 games we played 3 games in 7 days
I agree, we need to get behind him. I just have virtually no faith it will come good. especially after seeing the schoolboy errors he made in tactics and substitutions. This was very poor, alarmingly so.
That sounds like an "everything before the but is bullh,t" statement. If you are behind the team get behind them.
Quote from: cookieg on August 30, 2026, 10:43:01 PMQuote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 08:47:48 PMQuote from: fulhamfever on August 30, 2026, 07:12:23 PMI'm not moaning yet he needs time said this and stick with this view. AA will come good once he finds his best 11. It's a new team now we have to get behind him. Not give up after 2 games we played 3 games in 7 days
I agree, we need to get behind him. I just have virtually no faith it will come good. especially after seeing the schoolboy errors he made in tactics and substitutions. This was very poor, alarmingly so.
That sounds like an "everything before the but is bullh,t" statement. If you are behind the team get behind them.
After 65years of an unbroken season ticket and been through pretty much everything with the team, I do not need anyone to tell me about getting behind the team specially when using offensive language.
My idea of getting behind the team has always wanting what is best for the long term future, and speaking up when things look wrong.
I have not much faith that a novice manager with inflexible tactics, poor preparation eg poor set pieces and then having the audacity to blame the players after the game for not showing character, personality, energy in public is anyting like good management. The one thing I couldn't say was that the team didn't try, they had plenty of energy and effort, but like friction it was all wasted heat.
Getting behind the team is worrying about things when they look bad, and if you do not share my view that is your opinion I don't agree with it but I would never use abusive language toward another poster, especially when my loyalty is unquestionable.
Enjoy your evening.
I can but remind you that AA fell out with at least 3 RM players, one of whom, Caballos, refused to play for him
He is a difficult character, and the hint of criticism to the players after today does not bode well
I have also had a season ticket for 65 years and something doesn't look right about this team this year - I saw it at Malaga when his defensive tactics were puerile / laughable in their inexperience
More worryingly than poor tactics are our "waste of money" players - viz:- ESR, Andersen and Bobb - all 3 utterly ineffectual
Diop, Lukic, Wilson and Raul would ALL have been an upgrade on today's pathetic performance
Andersen had his pants pulled down twice by Isidor in five minutes. He has no business being in our starting eleven. Slow as a cart horse. Gives me Senderos vibes.
With no worthwhile efforts at goal, clearly our attacking play was not good enough. Defensively, however, it looked to me as if we had worked on closing ranks more quickly when out of possession. I don't think there was any occasion when an unmarked Sunderland player received the ball in between Andersen and Bassey.
While the substitutions affected our right flank, this played no part in the goal we conceded. Bassey, whom, overall, I thought was okay, was a half-second too late to spot the impending danger as Mukiele vacated his defensive position and this enabled Diarra to get ahead of him. I don't think Bassey's position just inside his own half was too high considering the Sunderland goalkeeper had released the ball only a few seconds earlier. I see many teams bring their centre-backs up to the halfway line when they attack; it's commonplace.
Unfortunately, far too many players player turned in below par performances. Josh King was the one player, I thought, to emerge with some credit for the way he played. I've read criticism aimed at AA for selecting Palacios. Cesar had a ropey sixty seconds mid-way through the second half when he blazed a shooting opportunity into the crowd and then gave the ball away and earned himself a booking, but otherwise he was tidy and no more 'out of sorts', in my opinion, than Bobb, Gonzalo, Berge or Iwobi.
All the same, it is an opportunity not taken because Sunderland do not carry as much of an attacking threat as most other teams and yet we couldn't create as many as - let alone more than - the few chances they crafted. If I were to try to analyse why this was, I would pick out two factors: first, too few players breaking towards and into the Sunderland penalty box quickly enough; second, the poor quality of our crosses. The first shortfall can be laid at door of AA's tactics, maybe, but I don't think he can be held responsible for the poor delivery from wide areas. Having a midfield player who can pinpoint a long pass as well as Xhaka would have helped but we don't have one.
Two defeats puts some pressure on Arbeloa already. Unlike our manager, however, I've not got a UEFA Pro Licence, nor have I played professional football, so it seems sensible and reasonable to remain level-headed at this early stage and see what he can do rather than straightaway laying on the criticism as thickly as I might put butter on my toast.
Serious question Smith Rowe , Kevin , Bobb , Muniz , Palacios, Garcia , King how many goals will they score in premier league this season ?
Between them I would say around 12 that is the problem we have we don't create enough chances for them to even miss a few same last season we don't create enough everything we do is extremely difficult it isn't free flowing and we have no players that are willing to roll their sleeves up and drive forward and take a risk . I will be amazed if we score 25 premier league goals this season with the way Arbeloa is setting us up.
At the beginning of the season I read about the hard high press we were going to play. Did I miss something as yesterday I saw full backs playing like wingers and when we lost possession our players standing still watching whilst not getting into the faces of the opposition. Letting players like Xhaka have all the time in the world to pick his pass and always seeming to come off second best in tackles and getting to loose balls didn't instil much confidence given the physical lightweight feel of our team and the lack of a ball winner in midfield.
Quote from: AustrianGeezer on August 30, 2026, 04:48:16 PM@flyingfish i also dont understand why AA keeps playing palacios on the wing. IMO he is too slow to be a winger, to me he would be better suited in cm indtead of iwobi, but ultimately i would like to see charles there.
As to the point that we're playing too wide, i also agree. Need to play a back three or one of our cm needs to drop behind to create a back three
From what I have seen Palacious could not replace Iwobi. We need a player who will challenge and show some strength in that position which Palacious does not have. Have to say I am not keen on him so far and he should not be a starting player.
Realistically, we only lost yesterday because of Andersens lack of pace. In fact they only had two chances all game and both were identical because Andersen was caught out of position.
Other than that we were actually pretty solid in defence which was good to see after our defensive frailties vs. Chelsea.
We have clearly been targetting a new RCB and had we got one I suspect we could have picked up points against Chelsea and Sunderland and no one would be in meltdown currently
Funny how nobody is mentioning how Bassey was left for dead by pace in that goal.
Quote from: Andrew on August 30, 2026, 08:47:48 PMI agree, we need to get behind him.
If Arbeloa had been reading your posts of the past week, I would happily wager he wouldn't be thinking, 'Here is someone who is getting behind me.'
Quote from: Bill2 on August 31, 2026, 09:58:31 AMQuote from: AustrianGeezer on August 30, 2026, 04:48:16 PM@flyingfish i also dont understand why AA keeps playing palacios on the wing. IMO he is too slow to be a winger, to me he would be better suited in cm indtead of iwobi, but ultimately i would like to see charles there.
As to the point that we're playing too wide, i also agree. Need to play a back three or one of our cm needs to drop behind to create a back three
From what I have seen Palacious could not replace Iwobi. We need a player who will challenge and show some strength in that position which Palacious does not have. Have to say I am not keen on him so far and he should not be a starting player.
Isn't that what people keep saying iwobi is lacking?
It will be interesting to note who will be in the starting line up for the next League match v Crystal Palace.
Quote from: @jolslover on August 31, 2026, 10:02:03 AMRealistically, we only lost yesterday because of Andersens lack of pace. In fact they only had two chances all game and both were identical because Andersen was caught out of position.
Other than that we were actually pretty solid in defence which was good to see after our defensive frailties vs. Chelsea.
We have clearly been targetting a new RCB and had we got one I suspect we could have picked up points against Chelsea and Sunderland and no one would be in meltdown currently
I agree we looked a bit better defensively although we were opened up more than just for the goal, they somehow contrived to hit the post with the goal at their mercy and should have run out 2-0 winners.
Given that we didn't have even a single attempt on target that unfortunately rather narrows down our options of picking up a point to a nil nil draw. Not great.
Quote from: alfie on August 31, 2026, 10:25:17 AMFunny how nobody is mentioning how Bassey was left for dead by pace in that goal.
The moment where his shorts were low riding and his arse was hanging out on the telly was just embarrassing, especially given he's our captain. He needs to drop this baggy shorts gimmick and start acting like a professional.
Twas a shame as Sunderland looked there for the taking - looked at bbc stats and cannot remember worse ones than this game 10 shots, none on target.
Quote from: cookieg on August 30, 2026, 06:52:49 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 06:14:29 PMQuote from: cookieg on August 30, 2026, 05:53:07 PMQuote from: FFC007 on August 30, 2026, 05:36:51 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
That's cos the DoF hasn't got a scooby doo what he's doing!
He's signed the players Silva wanted and AA wanted so that would suggest otherwise.
Some would suggest that letting a manager dictate which players are bought in, is not a good strategy for a DoF. Getting the right players for the managers tactics? Absolutely. All for it.
But letting a managers personal preferences of certain indivoduals shape the squad of a football club is risky to say the least.
And some of these people, like me, are likely to base that on having witness Fulhams Lawrie Sanchez era.
But the flip side of that was when we got promoted and TK signed Anguissa, Seri etc and that season didn't end well. As you say there has to be a balance.
Yeah, a real scattergun of a window that, which we also had to pay for several sunmers after that. No overarching plan, ni big idea. Just players in. We didnt figure out Anguissas best role until too late.
Quote from: @jolslover on August 31, 2026, 10:02:03 AMRealistically, we only lost yesterday because of Andersens lack of pace. In fact they only had two chances all game and both were identical because Andersen was caught out of position.
Other than that we were actually pretty solid in defence which was good to see after our defensive frailties vs. Chelsea.
We have clearly been targetting a new RCB and had we got one I suspect we could have picked up points against Chelsea and Sunderland and no one would be in meltdown currently
That's the match I saw as well. Looked far more the likely to win until we got caught for pace. Which is something I've said in years past (this is not a new problem).
Quote from: alfie on August 31, 2026, 10:25:17 AMFunny how nobody is mentioning how Bassey was left for dead by pace in that goal.
It is kind of funny, isn't it? For all the complaining about Anderson and/or Cuenca, I've seen quite a few concerning things from Calvin since the start of preseason.
Quote from: Porthogs FC on August 31, 2026, 02:52:39 PMQuote from: @jolslover on August 31, 2026, 10:02:03 AMRealistically, we only lost yesterday because of Andersens lack of pace. In fact they only had two chances all game and both were identical because Andersen was caught out of position.
Other than that we were actually pretty solid in defence which was good to see after our defensive frailties vs. Chelsea.
We have clearly been targetting a new RCB and had we got one I suspect we could have picked up points against Chelsea and Sunderland and no one would be in meltdown currently
That's the match I saw as well. Looked far more the likely to win until we got caught for pace. Which is something I've said in years past (this is not a new problem).
Exactly one really good chance a piece until they scored, they took their chance.
Quote from: demeant0r on August 30, 2026, 06:53:12 PMQuote from: AnotherVicHalomLoveChild on August 30, 2026, 06:48:53 PMQuote from: Twig on August 30, 2026, 05:41:06 PMQuote from: Deuce on August 30, 2026, 05:35:57 PMTwo games in lads. Two games in.
And this is coming from someone who was sceptical of AA before he was appointed by us. He will need time, and so will the lads. As been mentioned several times, Iraola needed 10 games before getting a win at Bournemouth. Id say we need to give AA at least til december
But this is the path TK and the club has chosen for us. I think its ambitious. I also think its a massive gamble to appoint AA AND to bring in every player the HE wants. That is a risky strategy for a DoF.
But hey ho, onwards and upwards
I'm fine with giving him time as long as we see him learning and adapting. I am most certainly not fine with him having 10 matches to do the exact same thing again and again with the exact same outcome.
Good managers have the ability to learn, to think on their feet and to adapt to the circumstances they are confronted with. Poor managers have one blueprint and seek to force fit everything into it. Which will AA prove to be???
Ahh,the often wrongly attributed quote by Albert Einstein
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"
Only 2 games in give Arebola a decent chance
2 narrow losses, we are finding our way and learning each other's Christian names
A week in the training pitch
Some more additions?
It's all about the response against Palace but also beyond that match
Come on Fulham!!
Unfortunately, the PL is an unforgiving league. We need to get the boys up to speed with his tactics pronto because zero shots on target is not good.
Is there a slight possibility that his tactics are wrong?
Quote from: @jolslover on August 31, 2026, 10:02:03 AMRealistically, we only lost yesterday because of Andersens lack of pace. In fact they only had two chances all game and both were identical because Andersen was caught out of position.
Other than that we were actually pretty solid in defence which was good to see after our defensive frailties vs. Chelsea.
We have clearly been targetting a new RCB and had we got one I suspect we could have picked up points against Chelsea and Sunderland and no one would be in meltdown currently
Agree with your first statement in part, but we know he is slow so where was the cover for the inevitable ball over the top? While I understand that a new manager will want to impress his own tactics on the team, surely that must be tempered by his knowledge of our weaknesses? Until we have the personnel necessary to play a high line and press, surely we should be playing to our own strengths rather than our weaknesses, which would require us to set up further back defensively?
We have all been criticising our defensive frailty (rightly IMO) but the attack was also generally poor. How many shots? How many on target? As with last year, we didn't seem able to break down a solid defence.
Quote from: LittleErn on August 31, 2026, 04:09:49 PMWe have all been criticising our defensive frailty (rightly IMO) but the attack was also generally poor. How many shots? How many on target? As with last year, we didn't seem able to break down a solid defence.
Nothing on target, zip, nada, zilch.
Quote from: Twig on August 31, 2026, 04:13:01 PMQuote from: LittleErn on August 31, 2026, 04:09:49 PMWe have all been criticising our defensive frailty (rightly IMO) but the attack was also generally poor. How many shots? How many on target? As with last year, we didn't seem able to break down a solid defence.
Nothing on target, zip, nada, zilch.
QED
Quote from: LittleErn on August 30, 2026, 07:03:51 PMQuote from: Hugh Janus on August 30, 2026, 05:25:49 PMHow many games in were Villa before they won last season? Where did they finish?
How many games did Iraola see before his first win with Bournemouth?
Chill, cool heads win wars.
It's not the result that's the issue here- it's the abysmal performance.
Brentford were shocking at CC last season. I have a mate who is a ST holder there and he was convinced they were going down. We have played two Prem games, lost by the odd goal twice against two teams in Europe. It's way too early to judge.