Unai Emery

[VinnieChase84]

We are not playing like we want, we are missing our identity ” said a clearly exasperated Emery. “We were not dominating or controlling the ball, even with an extra man.

“We have to work on our identity, I’m not disappointed or angry with the result, I am angry with how we are playing.

“We need to show our personality to be able to play. We were lazy sometimes. We are not playing our style.

“We have the experience of the last three years when we were feeling confident ... when I say lazy, I mean when you play away from home, you have to fight in every duel and we were not always doing that.

“They do not look like my team, we do not look comfortable playing. I am confident we will fix it, we will feel more comfortable. Collectively we have to try and understand that.”


This is extraordinary.

He has just thrown the players under the bus, I agree with him but when the manager calls out the players it usually ends one way.

This is a huge statement from him really (and I agree)
Issue is, it’s 3 months until we can change anything or anyone! Don’t see how this is going to improve given current issues

IF Unai is going to turn this around then it’s time for him to trust a few others, focus on their long term development and also grow a bigger pair of bollocks and drop the “lazy”

Digne, McGinn, Mings, Rodgers and Watkins shouldn’t be starting!

Time to play Maatsen week in week out, get Pau back in for passing ability alone

When Tielemens and Onana are back fit play them both with Kamara sitting. Onana and Tielemns as the 8’s

Now is time to play Sancho and Elliott

Give Guessand a solid run centrally instead of Watkins. His work ethic alone would be worth a run imo

Time to send a very clear message Unai

[Ian.]

I’d go with that too Vinnie. The only positive I saw yesterday was the work rate of Guessand.

[Crown Hill]

His comments after the game rather indicate he’s doubling down on his tactics and the new players won’t be coming into league games any time soon.

I guess they may get a go on Thursday.

I fear he’s not going to adapt to this one.

I think he as suggesting that they are not following his tactics.

Yes that’s what I’ve just said. He’s doubling down and doesn’t have faith in the new players.

He also seemed to suggest Sunderland kicked long and used throw ins and corners as a weapon as if this was surprising.

[Clampy]

I didn't think Digne did too much wrong although I did say on our whattsapp group chat that I'd bring Maasten on to add some pace. He should have done that earlier than he did.

[RamboandBruno]

I didn't think Digne did too much wrong although I did say on our whattsapp group chat that I'd bring Maasten on to add some pace. He should have done that earlier than he did.

He should of started. Not a dig at Digne just tactical.
I pretty much agree with what Vinnie said as well.
I think coming out so harshly so publicly with the players, will either backfire spectacularly in terms of losing the dressing room or it will galvanise, absolutely no shades of grey here now. Bolgna, Fulham, Burnley do feel massive now.
Im still all in on Unai and I think as started to happen yesterday the fans will start turning on some of the players first, Rogers yesterday. Unai needs to make some big calls.

[VinnieChase84]

I ended up having a row with a bloke in row in front of me at palace game over Rodgers.
There was a moment late second half where a simple pass to him was underhit and it was intercepted, Rodgers just threw hands up and made zero efforts to try and recover the ball

I called him a lazy twat and guy in front objected

I firmly stand by my assessment and even doubling down on it

He’s firmly become an ego imo, rolling around on floor, throwing hands up when decisions ain’t given. General all round stroppy teenager


This week for Unai is massive. Time to drop a load of them

[algy]

His comments after the game rather indicate he’s doubling down on his tactics and the new players won’t be coming into league games any time soon.

I guess they may get a go on Thursday.

I fear he’s not going to adapt to this one.

I think he as suggesting that they are not following his tactics.

Yeah, to me that sounds more like the players are a bit despondent from the events of the summer -plus missing out on an FA Cup final and CL football - and that has leaked on to the pitch. They’re not making runs and creating space, and that’s made us utterly toothless in attack.

Emery needs to get this sorted. I’ve a lot of time for the guy, and I don’t think he should be blamed for any of this, but it needs to be sorted out. That part is his job, even if the circumstances are out of his control and not of his making.

[oldhill_avfc]

“We have to work on our identity
“I am angry with how we are playing.
“We are not playing our style.
“They do not look like my team, we do not look comfortable playing.

Selected quotes above from Unai’s post match rant…

The style/identity relies on us pushing the back line high and playing tight quick passes through the centre of the pitch.  Or when the opportunity comes, playing out quickly with a longish ball from the back to counter attack.  In terms of formation this has been either 4-2-3-1 or a modern form of 4-4-2.

Currently we’re not able to do this either through form, injury or changes to the squad (ie no Rashford, Ascesio, JJ or Bailey).

I suppose the big call from Unai is to decide if form or injuries are the problem, or does he need to change the style and identity to suit what the squads capable of?

Fwiw I don’t think he’ll change so a lot relies on when the injuries clear and what can be done in January (when I think the financial rules will allow us to spend more).

[kippaxvilla2]

It’s more on the players thus imo. Emery looks frustrated as we are. I think we might have some bag apples emerging.

We cannot carrier players who are not good enough.

[andyh]

It’s more on the players thus imo. Emery looks frustrated as we are. I think we might have some bag apples emerging.

We cannot carrier players who are not good enough.

We can’t replace them either.
He has to get a tune out of them one way or another.

I did think we were slightly more postive yesterday and ‘tried’ to get the ball forward, quicker.
It seems the intention is starting to be there, but the quality isn’t

[brontebilly]

Wonder if it's worth trying McGinn at 10 again? Don't think it's his best position but just to set an example to all how we need to press going forward. Like he did v Brentford. Emerys going to have to get Maatsen, Elliot and Sancho into the starting lineup too.

[kippaxvilla2]

For all his ranting it still doesn’t explain why he insists on playing 9 of 11 players that essentially got Smith and Gerrard sacked.  He has options he needs to use them!  Play sancho and Elliot for a start off. 

[Beard82]

To be fair Onnana, Youri and Barkley would have got minutes if fit. 

Pretty sure Elliot and Sancho will get more time but Sancho has been training with the reserves.  Hopefully hell be more positive in the upcoming home games.

[ez]

That’s fair enough - he needs to play his part though and start picking a better balanced side.

Also 100%

Indeed. With comments like that he is also throwing himself under the bus.

[brontebilly]

For all his ranting it still doesn’t explain why he insists on playing 9 of 11 players that essentially got Smith and Gerrard sacked.  He has options he needs to use them!  Play sancho and Elliot for a start off.

Why does this "Smith and Gerrard" thing get thrown around here regularly? They are the same players that delivered three successive seasons of European football too. Emery's greatest achievement has been making these better players and not signing replacements.

In saying all that, teams and players do need to be refreshed. It's very odd that away to Sunderland that he left out the likes of Elliot and Sancho.