Unai Emery

[Steve67]

I love McGinn, brilliant man, great player, but we need to be better.  I don't rate Torres as a defender, but he does exactly what Unai wants him to, pass the ball well.  If Konsa is our best player, we are fucked, because he has been really poor this season. Passes backwards all the time, I hadn't noticed, Cash does the same, will look out for this now its been mentioned.  I think Unai is doing a 'no more mister nice guy' and will be more ruthless with the squad.  I think he will go for 'fit in, or fuck off'.  Trust the process Unai says.  Slowly (although not very slowly judging by this transfer window), the players will be moved on and upgraded.  It's exciting and it will be ruthless.  Some of our favourites, Ramsey, McGinn, Cash, Digne, Bailey et al, those who have served the club well, have reached their Everest, but we all know what happens when you get to the top as there is only one way to go, down, they will be replaced. 

[Smithy]

I think it's really hard to gauge the mental strength of the squad.

On one hand we concede too many early goals and we 'coast' too much when we take the lead.

On the other hand we've been very good at getting back into games after we've gone behind and we do really well at sticking to our game plan.

I think it's hard for us, but it's not hard for the coaching staff who see them every days, and in the changing rooms before, during and after games, including how they react to encouragement/bollockings as they appear.

I would imagine Unai and his team know every player exceptionally well by now, barring of course those who joined in January.

[paul_e]

I think it's really hard to gauge the mental strength of the squad.

On one hand we concede too many early goals and we 'coast' too much when we take the lead.

On the other hand we've been very good at getting back into games after we've gone behind and we do really well at sticking to our game plan.

I think it's hard for us, but it's not hard for the coaching staff who see them every days, and in the changing rooms before, during and after games, including how they react to encouragement/bollockings as they appear.

I would imagine Unai and his team know every player exceptionally well by now, barring of course those who joined in January.

Absolutely agree, I meant for us as fans.

[Duncan Shaw]

I love McGinn, brilliant man, great player, but we need to be better.  I don't rate Torres as a defender, but he does exactly what Unai wants him to, pass the ball well.  If Konsa is our best player, we are fucked, because he has been really poor this season. Passes backwards all the time, I hadn't noticed, Cash does the same, will look out for this now its been mentioned.  I think Unai is doing a 'no more mister nice guy' and will be more ruthless with the squad.  I think he will go for 'fit in, or fuck off'.  Trust the process Unai says.  Slowly (although not very slowly judging by this transfer window), the players will be moved on and upgraded.  It's exciting and it will be ruthless.  Some of our favourites, Ramsey, McGinn, Cash, Digne, Bailey et al, those who have served the club well, have reached their Everest, but we all know what happens when you get to the top as there is only one way to go, down, they will be replaced. 

Not sure I'd include Ramsey in that list, I think he has a higher ceiling yet....but the rest I agree.  I love Ginny, but he can be both awesome and awful within a few seconds of each other in any given game, but I think his drive and passion will keep him here another year or so.

[paul_e]

I love McGinn, brilliant man, great player, but we need to be better.  I don't rate Torres as a defender, but he does exactly what Unai wants him to, pass the ball well.  If Konsa is our best player, we are fucked, because he has been really poor this season. Passes backwards all the time, I hadn't noticed, Cash does the same, will look out for this now its been mentioned.  I think Unai is doing a 'no more mister nice guy' and will be more ruthless with the squad.  I think he will go for 'fit in, or fuck off'.  Trust the process Unai says.  Slowly (although not very slowly judging by this transfer window), the players will be moved on and upgraded.  It's exciting and it will be ruthless.  Some of our favourites, Ramsey, McGinn, Cash, Digne, Bailey et al, those who have served the club well, have reached their Everest, but we all know what happens when you get to the top as there is only one way to go, down, they will be replaced. 

Not sure I'd include Ramsey in that list, I think he has a higher ceiling yet....but the rest I agree.  I love Ginny, but he can be both awesome and awful within a few seconds of each other in any given game, but I think his drive and passion will keep him here another year or so.

I agree, take away the problems recovering from his injury and I think JJ would be one of our most important players and a fixture in the England squad now. Given he seems to be over it now I'd hope he'll keep improving from here, he's started looking back to his previous level in the last few weeks.

[Mister E]

I love McGinn, brilliant man, great player, but we need to be better.  I don't rate Torres as a defender, but he does exactly what Unai wants him to, pass the ball well.  If Konsa is our best player, we are fucked, because he has been really poor this season. Passes backwards all the time, I hadn't noticed, Cash does the same, will look out for this now its been mentioned.  I think Unai is doing a 'no more mister nice guy' and will be more ruthless with the squad.  I think he will go for 'fit in, or fuck off'.  Trust the process Unai says.  Slowly (although not very slowly judging by this transfer window), the players will be moved on and upgraded.  It's exciting and it will be ruthless.  Some of our favourites, Ramsey, McGinn, Cash, Digne, Bailey et al, those who have served the club well, have reached their Everest, but we all know what happens when you get to the top as there is only one way to go, down, they will be replaced. 

Yes, I'm another agreeing with your comments, but I'd also echo paul_e's defence of Ramsey. Ramsey has another one or two levels to reach yet: the others on your list are at the max already (and Bailey peaked a long time ago).

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

Indeed, we’ve seen nowhere near Ramsey’s full potential yet.

[brontebilly]

Surely Meatball has the best mentality of all our players?

💯 McGinn is a club legend, doubting him is ridiculous. He spent last season filling in holes all over our midfield.

Emery hasn't been in top form himself Id argue. Subs/in game tactical switches especially. Didn't rotate squad as much as he could have. But he has the squad he wants now with incomings/outgoings so let's see how we go. Still loads to play for.

[edgysatsuma89]

Why do you talk about people doubting him? I don't "doubt" him, I just think there are better players now in the positions he plays. I still very much like him, but as a squad player. You talk like people are calling him shit.

[Brend'Watkins]

Surely Meatball has the best mentality of all our players?

💯 McGinn is a club legend, doubting him is ridiculous. He spent last season filling in holes all over our midfield.

Emery hasn't been in top form himself Id argue. Subs/in game tactical switches especially. Didn't rotate squad as much as he could have. But he has the squad he wants now with incomings/outgoings so let's see how we go. Still loads to play for.

The first paragraph I agree with. The first sentence of the 2nd can only be right if you’re referring to that bit of a cold he had a few weeks ago.

[pelty]

Indeed, we’ve seen nowhere near Ramsey’s full potential yet.

Not seeing it with Ramsey, personally, but hope to be proven wrong. A very good player on his day, but his days are too infrequent either because he is injured, recovering from injury, or is inconsistent. As people here note, he is young and can improve, but if a good offer came in for him, I would move him on (assuming a better replacement, etc.).

[edgysatsuma89]

A fit and firing Ramsey is better than Rogers, in my opinion.

[pelty]

A fit and firing Ramsey is better than Rogers, in my opinion.

That might be in the category of a "hot take"!

[Mister E]

A fit and firing Ramsey is better than Rogers, in my opinion.

That might be in the category of a "hot take"!

Nope, I'd agree with our little orange fella.

[paul_e]

I'd say there's not much between them