NUFC vs Arsenal

[HughieG]

Didn't watch the game - how did we play? Not the greatest of starts to this season, but we've come up against some good teams, too.

[Curian]

Not sure what is happening. I know we are rebuilding but we are not consistent. A lot of teams have spent and changed their squad. We seem to be unable to either score enough or indeed not concede at the last knockings. Regardless of ref's and VAR it is becoming a trend and I am not sure what the answer is. Maybe we still need more time even with EH's relentless training regime. I am sure that we will come good in the end but not sure if a top 5 this season is likely, a possibility but currently a hard watch. Though Rags comments seem to sum it up nicely. HWTL

[Zippity]

Aye, we're not clicking so far this season.

We don't really look like scoring and our passing and ball retention is really poor. I agree, we'll get it right and it may well be when the new lads get used to what is required of them physically and tactically. but it's been a poor start to the season, no hiding from it.

[Nufcian]

Aye, we're not clicking so far this season.

We don't really look like scoring and our passing and ball retention is really poor. I agree, we'll get it right and it may well be when the new lads get used to what is required of them physically and tactically. but it's been a poor start to the season, no hiding from it.

Completely agree.

We were poor in the final third yesterday, no other way of seeing it. 8 shots and 3 on target where they had 20 shots and 7 on target.

Resorting to defending a 1-0 lead is a throwback to Bruce, and like so many of those games we paid the price… it worked last season when Arsenal had less attacking threat, but this was a completely different proposition.

That said…

Should have had a pen… if the ball had hit his falling arm no penalty… Gabriel made his body bigger raising his non falling arm, it was in an unnatural position and blocked the ball in the box.

Gabriel shouldn’t even have been on the pitch, his hand into Woltemade’s face should have been picked up by VAR as an off the ball foul.

Saliba… twice he barged into Tino while in the air, TWICE. Not even 1 yellow, Tino stretchered off and the referee and VAR did f**k all.

Saka… Gordon going past him and he sticks out a leg and gets a look off the ref… a look!?!

Lascelles was lucky to not get at least a yellow for his hand around Gyokeres face, but if Gabriel was off then it is a completely different game anyway from that point.

The events of the game aside, we have been toothless most of the time, Bradford are League 1… we’ve struggled for goals apart from that game.

Woltemade is not a striker, think he’s going to be successful in his own way but he looks like a second striker all day long, and without someone to play off his shoulder and take advantage of his strengths we’re struggling. His game seems to be sitting deep and linking up the midfield with an out and out striker.

Gordon… not even sure what to say about him, he’s been mostly ineffective and Barnes isn’t any better.

Pope made some cracking saves but his quick ball out directly to an Arsenal player led to their second, at a time we needed to get a hold of the ball and build out and push up… madness.

We HAVE to beat Forest… they’ve been poor under Ange, but the final third needs work and the balance of the front line is completely up in the air with the form on the left and no true out and out goal scorer to take advantage of getting the ball into the box.

Howe’s hands are tied with Wissa out, but it is looking more and more like we are complete dependent on him coming back fit and hitting the ground running, and possibly changing the shape of the team to get more out of Woltemade.

3 at the back, we’re suffering for it and if Tinonisnout for any time and Hall being absent (anyone know what that was about?) we don’t even have the players to even play that by the look of it… if we go with Murphy as a wing back I’m gonna lose my sh!t.