Didn't think we were awful. Looks like a higher press. No idea what the goal was disallowed for but a decent set piece. We need another striker to cover for "Biscuits" Awoniyi.
Scarpa is in danger of becoming the new Carvalho; seen as the Messiah by a section of our fans based on the flimsiest of evidence, while the manager (who sees him in training every day) “unaccountably” opts not to pick him very often.
Who are you leaving out to accommodate him, Chic? MGW?
We have a problem now of a few players that it’s very difficult to judge whether they should be in the 25 - Scarpa, Biancone, Richards for example. It’s a bit of a gamble to put any of them in at this stage really given how little they’ve featured last season or in pre-season.
Think of a squad. It's not necessarily a question of who he should start ahead of (circumstances will provide an opportunity), but more a question of whether he is good enough to be in the 25 man squad.
For me he is, and if his head is with that, he would be for me.
P.S. ...and so would a player like zinkernagel's bagels (ship sailed).
My point is this: it’s pre season. Why isn’t he getting a run out to see what he can do. We have shown nothing with our regulars so give some of the others a bit of a spin. Also Gustavo has the ability to keep the ball and pass. Might be something we could have aspired to in pre-season games. Unless he is injured and then I apologise.
I think it’s pretty obvious Cooper doesn’t think he’s going to be useful. How many recent examples are there of Brazilians who left their league at 29 and had an impact in a top league?
I don’t think you can fit him in if we continue to play 5 at the back. Ideally he gets enough minutes off the bench in the first few games to show that he can be useful but if I was betting at this stage I’d guess he won’t be here this time next season.