[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Derek Statham shoots past David O'Leary at Highbury, 16th October 1982

Our annual trip to the Emirates looms on Monday night: for once not consigned to the depths of winter, but rather occurring around the same time of year we triumphed 3-2 in 2010, which remains our only victory at the stadium to date. I'll be honest: I can't see it happening again this time round, however unlucky we've been on recent visits (and on the last couple of occasions, it was only a moment of sheer quality that kept us from a point).

A few worrying signs have presented themselves: despite our new signings, the goals haven't exactly been flowing, and while a lack of chances was painfully apparent against West Ham, in our League Cup exit against City the chances were there on a plate and fluffed repeatedly. To play the way we do requires clinical finishing, and we'll be in for a frustrating time if this continues.

That said, on Monday night we've got nothing to lose. Anything's a bonus; let's see if we can have Arsenal rocking the way Man City did in the second half on Wednesday.

[BaggieMan]

I'm not expecting anything out of this game either. A point would be amazing but even with four defenders and three defensive midfielders I doubt our shots on goal will be more than one or two and possession around 25%.

[Salopbaggie]

Pullis needs to learn its OK to hit the bully back. His attitude to games does remind me of the kid at school that is afraid of beaten up by the big six bullies and his fear has manifested now when playing everyone. He appears to run his games with a "if I hide in the corner, the bullies might not beat me up to bad attitude". I am sure over the years we have all seen some little kid being told, "if you hit the bullies back, they will soon stop trying to hurt you and move onto someone else". TP, unfortunately has the attitude of that kid, where even the little kids in the school, see that he does not fight back and think that if he does not fight back when being bullied, I will bully them as well.

While we may not instil fear into the big 6 by fighting back, but we would certainly make all the other kids in school think twice, before having a go, especially on our manor.

[valpayne]

3-1 arsenal with gibbs (perversely) scoring our goal anything more is a bonus. Arsenal are shocking at the back we are shocking up front
So we will probably actually attack them and will be 2-0 down at HT call me glass half empty or just plain realist

[Sir Megson]

Not expecting a surprise result here at all but am genuinely more enthusiastic after seeing our 2nd half performance against City in the week.

I don't think we were overly defensive in the first half but we were incredibly wasteful with the ball; and gave it away almost as soon as we'd managed to win it. Dawson the biggest culprit on the night out of all of them. We pressed them up the pitch instead of our usual sitting just outside our box.

There didn't seem to be a huge tactical change in the 2nd half, we just kept the ball and gave it to the players who were creating the chances really well, if only if we'd have taken them!

Approach this game in the same manner and this could be our catalyst for the season like Leicester away was for last season. Just a shame it's a Monday night as I'd be on my way down to the Smoke for this one if it were a Saturday game.

COYB!

[Baggiebob(BBB)]

Not expecting a surprise result here at all but am genuinely more enthusiastic after seeing our 2nd half performance against City in the week.

I don't think we were overly defensive in the first half but we were incredibly wasteful with the ball; and gave it away almost as soon as we'd managed to win it. Dawson the biggest culprit on the night out of all of them. We pressed them up the pitch instead of our usual sitting just outside our box.

There didn't seem to be a huge tactical change in the 2nd half, we just kept the ball and gave it to the players who were creating the chances really well, if only if we'd have taken them!

Approach this game in the same manner and this could be our catalyst for the season like Leicester away was for last season. Just a shame it's a Monday night as I'd be on my way down to the Smoke for this one if it were a Saturday game.

COYB!

Fully agree with Sir Megson and Salop, so I hope that TP notes how good it was for the team, and us spectators to have witnessed
an Albion team playing attacking football - as well as being good defensively of course. 

And after saying I wouldn't be doing the 10 hour return journey after seeing the West Ham game, if they cuntinue to do this style of play - who knows?  Maybe it will be 1-1 or a win against Arsenal tonight.

[Sir Megson]

Looks like a 3-5-2 with hopefully Gibbs on the left and Nyom on the right. Finally some round pegs in round holes!

Stream here by the way for anyone who needs one. Would recommend you install Google chrome then the ublock origin add on to block any stupid pop ups. Plenty of time to get yourself sorted before kick off guys!

[talkSAFT]

How the hell is Livermore back in the team?
Maybe the 2 wingbacks will be given licence to get to the byeline, but which midfielder will venture into the Arsenal box??
And who's going to take all our corners?
We'll be lucky to score nil.

[WBA-Josh]

Yeah definitely looks like a 3-5-2 when in possession and 5-3-2 out of possession. Interesting idea and hopefully it works.

If it doesn't then we have guys on the bench to come on and change the game.

[Arcane Astral Aeons]

Yeah definitely looks like a 3-5-2 when in possession and 5-3-2 out of possession. Interesting idea and hopefully it works.

If it doesn't then we have guys on the bench to come on and change the game.

yeah Josh we do have the players on the bench to change the game
but what will TP do?
probably bring them on with 10 minutes left and us losing 3/4-0