Hopefully everyone shuts the fuck up about him being the solution to our problems. Just like people wanting Trossard to start because he was getting goal returns.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Trosaard has been shite for weeks. So many moves break down because of him. He offers goals, but we lose so much more. With Nwaneri, it's a kid that came on and didn't even receive the ball for the first few minutes he came on. Comparing the two seems harsh to me.

[–] sensiblepuffin 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm not... comparing the two...?

I'm saying that both have had a lot of fans calling for them to start because they've looked so good. Trossard began starting in Martinelli's absence and immediately started plummeting in performance. Nwaneri has had some good cameos and appearances in cups, but predictably he is 17 and cannot be expected to stand up to Newcastle's big burly men.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Nwaneri isn't going to get good from the bench especially when he's the closest thing we've had to what we're missing in the absence of Ødegaard. Okay, he never had a good game today, but who did?

[–] sensiblepuffin 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You seem intent on ascribing a lot of intent to my comments that I don't intend.

I don't blame Nwaneri for not playing well. I blame the rabid supporters who were convinced that he needed to just be thrown into the deep end and he'd magically fix our problems.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

We could've had prime Messi out there today and it wouldn't have made a difference. Arteta had us set up incredibly brokenly. Havertz was playing in the Ødegaard spaces and Trosaard was floating around doing a whole lot of nothing. There was no urgency or impetus in our play and so there was no way to drag Newcastle around or break the lines. If Nwaneri had even half the minutes that Trosaard has wasted over the past few weeks, by all means write him off and say we rushed him in. But he essentially came into a terrible, unorganised and unbalanced team and failed to carry it in the half hour he got. Hardly a damning indictment on him or his advocates like me. It's also important to note, I was advocating for him based on his profile. If Arteta had bought cover for Ødegaard, it would be a moot point.

[–] nuggsy 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, I of course wanted to see more of him and I think he can play a role for us. But, it was difficult to see him as the answer to all our questions.

The answer is just to hope our luck shifts or chances just fall our way more often and our players remain fit and healthy long enough for us to hit our stride again.

I wonder if the intensity of the last two seasons, as well as the fixture list is finally taking its toll on the players.

[–] sensiblepuffin 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I was angry, but I wasn't calling anyone specific out. More just people who latched on to the idea that his creativity could help in Odegaard's absence and were mad that Arteta was being too conservative to him.

I hate waiting and hoping. :/

[–] nuggsy 2 points 3 weeks ago

I never got the feeling you were. I agree with your thoughts. I don't have that big an issue with the way Arteta is slowly acclimating him into the team.