TFF chit chat 22nd, 23rd and 24th October

[morganb]

Friday 22nd October

Arsenal 20:00 Aston Villa

This set of fixtures kicks off on a Friday night and features two mid-table teams, 12th place Arsenal and Aston Villa who lie in 13th. Arsenal played on Monday night and salvaged a 2-2 draw against Palace. Villa managed to go down 3-2 against Wolves last weekend after leading 2-0.

Saturday 23rd October

Chelsea 12:30 Norwich City

Saturday's early game sees top of the table Chelsea taking on bottom of the table Norwich at Stamford Bridge. The big news is that Both Lukaku and Werner are out of this one so expect Havertz to start up top. Not much to say about the Canaries - they play in yellow.

Crystal Palace 15:00 Newcastle United

Four 3pm games this Saturday, the first is Crystal Palace v Newcastle United. The Eagles played well against The Gunners with Edouard scoring. Wilfred Zaha is a possible doubt for this one. Steve Bruce has left the Magpies. Callum Wilson scored for Newcastle against Spurs but they still lost.

Everton 15:00 Watford

Next, at Goodison Park, Everton versus Watford. The Toffees are eight but have a mixed bag of results recently. Calvert Lewin still injured but could Richarlison make the bench? Watford have collect 4 points from a possible 15 and Ranieri didn't get off to a winning start.

Leeds United 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Leeds against Wolverhampton Wanderers next. Leeds sit just above the relegation zone and are suffering from second season syndrome. They've numerous injuries including Bamford, Phillips and Ayling. Wolves come into this game buoyed by last week's victory over Villa.

Southampton 15:00 Burnley

The final 3pm match sees Southampton taking on Burnley at St Mary's. The Saints got their first win of the season last weekend and started Broja up top as Adams was injured and Armstrong benched. Burnley are in the relegation zone, their only points coming from draws.

Brighton & Hove Albion 17:30 Manchester City

Saturday's late game is Brighton against Manchester City. These two teams are separated by a couple of points so a win for the Seagulls will catapult them above City in the table. Brighton's form has been lots of draws of late. Who knows what line-up Pep will field.

Sunday 24th October

Brentford 14:00 Leicester City

Two early afternoon games this Sunday, first up is Brentford v Leicester. The Bees have done very well for a recently promoted team and may fancy their chances against the Foxes. Vardy has hit a run of form for Leicester and may be the ideal Lukaku replacement.

West Ham United 14:00 Tottenham Hotspur

Next is a London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers are up to 7th place after winning against Everton last time out. They also got a good win in midweek. Spurs lost in their European tie on Thursday so will be hoping to bounce back today.

Manchester United 16:30 Liverpool

And finally, the weekend's big match - Manchester United taking on Liverpool at 4:30pm. Man United are currently 6th after a poor run in the League but did that typical United thing in the CL, going behind but winning - Ronaldo with the winner. Their opponents Liverpool, and Salah in particular, are in very good form in both the League and Champions League.

[Jester]

Thanks mb - didn't realise we had a game tonight!

[Darbyand]

Tuchel reckons Lukaku back for Burnley on the 6th. 3pm kick off so 3 for 0s on United/City players only.

[murf]

Tuchel reckons Lukaku back for Burnley on the 6th. 3pm kick off so 3 for 0s on United/City players only.

Would we be desperate to get Lukaku back?

Will the Ronaldo bubble have burst by then?

Does anybody have any City attackers?

[murf]

There once was a Geordie called Steve
Whose new bosses gave him the heave
They'll get a new man
With some fanciful plan
And we'll laugh when the league they do leave

[Jamjack]

Does anybody have any City attackers?

I would love to if I could find one

If the big hitters don’t start to find a bit form this could end up another defender fest of a season

[murf]

Get in KdB then sell him or Ronaldo (if you have him) for Lukaku after the 3 for 0

[murf]

is it me or does this look more like a league cup team?



Arsenal make three changes from that game, with Lacazette, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga replacing Kieran Tierney, Nicolas Pepe and Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Tavares, Partey, Sambi Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Odegaard, Maitland, Niles, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Elneny, Kolasinac, Martinelli.

Aston Villa are unchanged from their 3-2 defeat by Wolves.

Matty Cash has recovered from a dead leg suffered in that game.

Leon Bailey is on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Mings, Tuanzebe, Targett, Cash, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Steer, Sanson, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Bailey, Archer, Ramsey.

[Jamjack]

Bit of a statement from Arteta?

[Spinynorman]

Poo.

[Spinynorman]

Not sure how Saka missed that but I'm glad he did.

[Spinynorman]

Bit of a delay in Lacazette going down wasn't there?

[Spinynorman]

Almost a great save.

[Spinynorman]

It's a triple poo.

[Spinynorman]

Awesome! Can we do a Wolves?

[Spinynorman]

That went well.

[Spinynorman]

Arsenal - Partey (Smith and Rowe), Aubameyang (with missed penalty involvement), Smith and Rowe (Aubameyang )

Villa - Ramsey (Bailey)

[ventosus]

what's with Alonso, bench again? form player but too much rotation at the back for Chelsea for my liking....

[Jamjack]

Mr Tickle is as frustrating as Pep. That’s all I have to say.

[Jamjack]

what's with Alonso, bench again? form player but too much rotation at the back for Chelsea for my liking....

You should have taken the “bullet proof” azplilicieta option like me.

[murf]

what's with Alonso, bench again? form player but too much rotation at the back for Chelsea for my liking....

Mine are playing so where is the problem?

[ChaffMyJive]

Every time I start on my master plan to bring in more Chelsea defenders he drops the one I was going to bring in. Azpilicueta on this occasion.
I think it’s one of those accept the rotation scenarios and hope enough hay is being made each time the ones you have start.

[ventosus]

what's with Alonso, bench again? form player but too much rotation at the back for Chelsea for my liking....

Mine are playing so where is the problem?

started with season with Chalobah....but the evil demon of transfers convinced me to ditch him early doors.... tempted to hang fire and hope Alonso gets on as sub as Norwich could be a points fest, then reassess next game if he's still subbed. ho hum

[Darbyand]

Every time I start on my master plan to bring in more Chelsea defenders he drops the one I was going to bring in. Azpilicueta on this occasion.
I think it’s one of those accept the rotation scenarios and hope enough hay is being made each time the ones you have start.

Agreed...you have to make your peace with rotation these days, just make sure it hasn't slipped into being out of favour.

[ventosus]

Every time I start on my master plan to bring in more Chelsea defenders he drops the one I was going to bring in. Azpilicueta on this occasion.
I think it’s one of those accept the rotation scenarios and hope enough hay is being made each time the ones you have start.

soul destroying tho, am starting to look at Brentford defs - at least less rotation!

[murf]

Was rather surprise to see Martinez on 8 points from last night despite conceding 3!

3 save points and 5 for a penalty save (double counting!)

[ventosus]

Was rather surprise to see Martinez on 8 points from last night despite conceding 3!

3 save points and 5 for a penalty save (double counting!)

yep, i've got Martinez and was chuffed to see that - sort of made up for Targett's -1. worry is AV defence starting to look shaky (Targett on 2ppg) which will leave Martinez exposed and needing a few more penalty saves to keep his score up....

[murf]

Have we all finished buying in all our Chelsea players....

1-0 Mount (Jorginho)

....bet they didn't include those two.

[murf]

...or these

2-0 Hudson (Odoi, Kovacic)

Jorginho and Kovacic also have a tackle point each (none for Norwich who can't get near them)

[Jamjack]

Finish and a half for Mount. Couldn’t have put that any closer to the bottom corner if he had placed it.

CHO (Kovacic)

…or Not in my team (not in my team)