Ben Smith

I’m really curious about progressive passing in general. Obviously Frank is directing the team to play wide and direct. How do we compare to others in the league in terms of how we set up to move the ball forward?

At this point you might as well put the average position of Simons and Bentancur directly next to Odobert and Kudus

Say no to AI slop, even if it seems funny

I think this is as close as we can get to our strongest 11 right now. Save Richarlison for CL, keep building Tel's confidence. Hopefully we see Muani this week.

Agree with all of this....and also these same players were at least sliiiightly more passy last year. Some of this is coaching

Is there a world where Gray plays midfield and Palhinha drops to center back?

There are only two players in your lineup that haven't started a competitive game this season. To me that feels like the kind of rotation we're looking for. Giving players a chance without putting out an extremely weak team.

That’s a really fun lineup. I wonder if he works Davies in there somehow

@flavbateman.bsky.social really appreciate you having the most recent discussion of The Lab. However, I think you severely underestimate how many fans would feel strongly about Qatar or Saudi Arabia investing in the club. Fans do have a voice, they can protest!

But muh narrative!!

I really loved the look of the team when we had the starters with xavi in for Bentancur. Odobert didn’t look like a superstar, but still the best we’ve seen him play

Great article Jay! Thanks for stating the case for a little patience!

I feel like you guys missed an opportunity to have an interesting discussion about rotation! @windycoys.bsky.social and @nathanaclark.bsky.social talking about how much they enjoyed it, only for @barditei.bsky.social to say it worried him. Why no follow up??

Because the rules say so

I’m guessing just a guy, the idea being he’s such a big Brennan fan he’s giving himself that haircut. It looks a little more like Porro to me

I’m not mad about the company he’s in. I’ve heard that Eze guy fits what we’re looking for

He does look like a good stand-in for Maddison and Kulu though.

I love Sensible Transfers, and think BEK would probably be fine, but this coming out before Maddison’s injury definitely changes the conversation

I think this was written by @kimischilling.bsky.social specifically to make @kimischilling.bsky.social feel bad

@nathanaclark.bsky.social @notthatmilo.bsky.social @profspur.bsky.social @iain.coys.social @windycoys.bsky.social

Squad Starts Predictions How many starts do you think our players will have this season?

Are you bored and waiting around for the team to sign some players? Fill out your predictions for how many starts our players will get this season! It's a fun exercise, with a little math thrown in!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Especially if we play him on the left, which looks like the plan today. At least when he plays on the right he can drive into the box to shoot on his strong foot.

Completely agree with you. Paz is often talked about as a rising start. This would be a great move if we could get him. Could play now, but won't demand to play every game once Kulu gets back.

These are awesome, and I'm happy to pay for meaningful work! Any word on when the Spurs preview will drop?

That's not how injuries work. Example: This preseason alone Udogie, Solanke, and Maddison have already been injured

I don't think that's accurate. Radu's issue has always been the same, even at Genoa. He just isn't good enough with the ball at his feet. He doesn't have the control or passing to play in any kind of system that hopes to play with the ball. He defends his own box well enough, but we need more.

Are you so sure? El Khannouss is being talked about for around £25m. Agoume's Transfermarkt value is £8m. We thinking he'll go for four times that?

Agoume seems like a great option at a reasonable price. He and El Khannouss would be an amazing pair for the price of one Gibbs-White.

Sarr is so young and so good. What's the value in selling him? Are we sure he doesn't end up better than CG has ever been?

Not sure where he fits for us. Box crashing 8 seems like a profile we already have in spades.