MDT: Carabao Cup - Arsenal v LUFC - Tuesday 26/10/2021

Drameh was the silver lining, much better than I expected.

Started off with being on the wrong side of his opponent (have noticed this with the U-23 on several occasions), but he surprised me with the quality of his defending (only really got beat once). Looks very promising!!! Athletic!

First half we shaded it, and we played some very good counter attacking, flowing football. But no end product or final ball (taking the wrong option time and again).

2 very sloppy goals to conceed, wtf.

In terms of individual performances Philips looked very rusty, first i've seen Dallas look that uncomfortable at LB in a very long time (know of his issues, so not unexpected).

Pascal at CB, misplaced a good number of passes. Llorente looked very good, played some wonderfull balls. Surprised he was taken off and replaced by Coops → another LCB, when you've got Cresswell on the bench? Strange from MB because they caused us trouble with set-pieces and corners and Cresswell is by far our best header.

Forshaw, has been out that long and certainly at this level, is well of the pace.

Roberts, looks like age has finally caught up with, legs seem to have gone.

It took him 15 mins before he getting near the ball and afterwards he just stood out in losing possesion. Have to admit that after the hour mark he seemed to improve somewhat.

Plenty of running from James, Rodrigo and Harrison (who had the one decent effort on goal), but in truth the didn't show enough.

Subs didn't really work out.

Hey Dan, what has got your goat?

Gotts is doing OK in L2, McAlmont in L1 and Bogusz in the 2nd tier of Spanish football. None are likely to set the Prem alight now.

If we were in the Championship, I could see your point.

Coops has made a couple of bad mistakes, His positional play v Saints cost us the goal. He should have left Redmond going on his weaker left foot and been close to Broja so there was not a simple tap in. Redmonds angle on goal was not that good.

As for the 2nd Arsenal goal, well no more needs to be said other than head it forwards!

Big call for MB this weekend but I would go for Llorente and Pascal as CBs

Roberts & Rodrigo in the centre of park as midfielders. Who says we are going to win a game... Explain what exactly James is currently giving us. Funny how we miss a Gotts, McCalmont, Boguez type midfielder.

Cooper was terrible when came on....

100% this sunday is a must win for us.

All the pressure will be on us (a point is not good enough) too many draws so far this season compared to games played. Everyone has Norwich relegated already as do i but if we dont take all 3 points against them its closer to the championship trap door.

Kalvin negated smith rowe's influence however we lost our go forward ball as a result. Cody did pretty well overall after a difficult opening but after he settled a bit i thought he held his own.

1st half we more than matched Arsewipes but as we all say the first goal in our games prove crucial and again last night we had chances to open the scoring but failed to take them, and once we conceded the game was gone in my view, our strength and depth just isnt in the squad and ok people say give the U23's a chance you just cant fire 4/5 young lads onto the pitch against any top level side and expect them to deliver, 1-2 max i agree but too many will just leave them exposed and could destroy their confidence.

Come on Iceman work your Icelandic magic

I found myself screaming at the TV, more in the 2nd half, with the pedestrian way we transitioned the ball from front to back. Even when we were 2-0 down, we seemed to be content playing tippy/tappy between the back 3.

Philips was clearly getting back to full steam as wasn't really effective as usual, although did cover when the need arose.

I thought Dramah was excellent, agree he was a bit nervy for the early part, but really grew into the game.

Roberts, well I'm pretty fed up posting the usual waste of a shirt comment, so won't bother elaborating any more.

This Sunday is a must win.

I think the big plus tonight was Drameh. I would have no hesitation in playing him at full back from now on, which releases Jamie Shackleton to go and own the CM position. We've blooded the u23s, we now need to back them.

Thank God for no MDTs for the Mickey Mouse Cup.

At least Drameh, Gelhardt, Greenwood and Summerville learnt more about what they need to produce in the Prem.

I have backed the guy so much but surely Roberts is no longer the answer. The boy needs to move on to a club that will give him regular game time (L1) and work his way back up the leagues to fulfil his "potential".

On to Norwich on Sunday and this really looks like a 6 pointer. We need our players back but none are likely to return before the next International break the we have a difficult run to look forward to!

Good Luck Ice Ice Baby. You will need it!!!

Oh well BB put the pencil sharpener down

onwards and upwards all down to ICE

now

no pressure

Classic "concentrate on the league" territory. Relax BB you'll not be called on again this season 😳

Kitchen sink time - Summerville and Greenwood on for Rodrigo and James.

Hope the first team are fit and strong for Norwich

Welcome back calamity Cooper 😱

2-0

Huh. 2 inches is enough for a goal - Meslier too far back on his line

1-0 Arsenal.

Cooper gives Llorente a rest, Roberts hauled off for Gelhardt

As I type Klich comes on - hope he's up for it - to replace Forshaw (I assume it's a safety swap to keep Forshaw safe for Sunday).

As far as 0-0 at half time goes, that was pretty entertaining. I thought the balance of the side has been really good with Forshaw and Phillips giving us a proper centre midfield.

Usual crap at the sharp end, poor final ball etc. and Roberts has had another poor half, but Drameh (after a dodgy 5 mins) has been solid and Llorente is back to his high standards. Dallas is a far better LB than a CM.

As MB has proved on a number of occasions, he is not averse to pulling players off before ht. If TR and AF aren't doing anything like they should, they won't last long. Let's hope though, that they play the games of their lives.

Their careers at ER could hang on tonight!

Jeez, this is going to be hard to get anything out of with that line up....

Starting with 10 as Roberts playing. Could even be 9 with an unfit Forshaw. When Forshaw was fit and starting for us in the Championship he struggled....!!

This was the perfect opportunity to try Geldhart, Greenwood and Summerville and a win win situation....

Really hope Roberts and Forshaw have great games tonight and great careers for us.... unfortunately, they have been given so many opportunities before and NEVER proved their potential.

Come on Leeds and Wembley is beckoning....

While PL status is paramount i fully agree, winning is a habit (so too is losing) and i dont think Arsenal are the Arsenal they used to be. This game is winnable (tough yes but winnable) and i hope the focus for our players should be on the performance, if thats good enough the result will take care of its self.

Think we can nick it 2-1 fingers crossed

Good luck Bri.

For the first time in a few years a win in this competition is definitely a want.

Momentum is all to prove that the Wolves game was a bit of a turning point.

I disagree, we can win this cup. We can beat anyone on our day...........Chances are we won't win it mind.