Tom Colborne
@tomcolborne.bsky.social
The Swiss system. Where no game is totally inconsequential but no game is decisive and the ultimate incentive is to win the right to play less.
December 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Swiss system. Where no game is totally inconsequential but no game is decisive and the ultimate incentive is to win the right to play less.
I’ve only been once, about 15 years ago, but based on that I’d say you’ll need all the money, patience and knee-flexibility you’ve ever had combined. Enjoy!
December 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I’ve only been once, about 15 years ago, but based on that I’d say you’ll need all the money, patience and knee-flexibility you’ve ever had combined. Enjoy!
There’s something in it for sure, though tonight was much more conservative than that looks and it’s hard to imagine putting Mo, Gakpo and Frimpong into that system without consequences. My big question is are we going to press?! And is tonight as energetic as Isak gets?
December 9, 2025 at 10:59 PM
There’s something in it for sure, though tonight was much more conservative than that looks and it’s hard to imagine putting Mo, Gakpo and Frimpong into that system without consequences. My big question is are we going to press?! And is tonight as energetic as Isak gets?
You’re right, there isn’t one. I’m not totally sure we can carry one of Wirtz Isak and Mo at the moment, let alone more than one. I think the interesting question is how the recruitment team didn’t notice this when planning the summer.
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
You’re right, there isn’t one. I’m not totally sure we can carry one of Wirtz Isak and Mo at the moment, let alone more than one. I think the interesting question is how the recruitment team didn’t notice this when planning the summer.
I had a similar thought but the level of narcissism required to believe it’s a gross injustice to not be automatically selected forever regardless of performance ultimately makes you a worse player in a team sport.
December 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I had a similar thought but the level of narcissism required to believe it’s a gross injustice to not be automatically selected forever regardless of performance ultimately makes you a worse player in a team sport.
It’s really simple Mo - the team can carry a player that does zero defensive work if he’s contributing 50+GA per season but not if he’s contributing 20.
You’ve been benched for 3 games not thrown under any bus. And you’ve been paid nearly a million quid in that time.
You’ve been benched for 3 games not thrown under any bus. And you’ve been paid nearly a million quid in that time.
December 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It’s really simple Mo - the team can carry a player that does zero defensive work if he’s contributing 50+GA per season but not if he’s contributing 20.
You’ve been benched for 3 games not thrown under any bus. And you’ve been paid nearly a million quid in that time.
You’ve been benched for 3 games not thrown under any bus. And you’ve been paid nearly a million quid in that time.
He should be able to play the next 3 league games though with a full week off between each of them.
December 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
He should be able to play the next 3 league games though with a full week off between each of them.
Rotating out Mac, Isak and Mo meant it was the first game in a while where we weren’t carrying at least one obvious passenger. Much more coherent as a result.
December 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Rotating out Mac, Isak and Mo meant it was the first game in a while where we weren’t carrying at least one obvious passenger. Much more coherent as a result.
2 in the last 4 games. I get the point that long rangers are sometimes better left, but turning your back on it (Sunderland) or waving a toe as it goes past (City) is the worst of all worlds.
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
2 in the last 4 games. I get the point that long rangers are sometimes better left, but turning your back on it (Sunderland) or waving a toe as it goes past (City) is the worst of all worlds.
But he is deflecting them in…
December 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
But he is deflecting them in…
Virg’s lackadaisical approach to blocking shots has always annoyed me - it’s a remarkable weakness for someone who top scores on every other defensive attribute and incredibly easy to fix (try harder to block the shot).
December 4, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Virg’s lackadaisical approach to blocking shots has always annoyed me - it’s a remarkable weakness for someone who top scores on every other defensive attribute and incredibly easy to fix (try harder to block the shot).
I think Slot has just decided the only thing that matters right now is not conceding a sloppy early goal and build from there. Which I get. But we still have to run around a bit. Including you Isak.
December 3, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I think Slot has just decided the only thing that matters right now is not conceding a sloppy early goal and build from there. Which I get. But we still have to run around a bit. Including you Isak.
Apply ourselves properly to defending and we’ll win most games. Arsenal are about to walk the title on that principle. I still think today’s midfield 3 might get overrun by a better team though.
Also - defenders in defence makes a big difference.
Also - defenders in defence makes a big difference.
November 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Apply ourselves properly to defending and we’ll win most games. Arsenal are about to walk the title on that principle. I still think today’s midfield 3 might get overrun by a better team though.
Also - defenders in defence makes a big difference.
Also - defenders in defence makes a big difference.
It’s a tough call for me. There was so much other disruption I ended up being glad he stayed, and Kerkez will learn more from Robbo than he would have from Tsimikas or whoever else we brought in. In the end it seems we let Robbo choose which I get.
November 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
It’s a tough call for me. There was so much other disruption I ended up being glad he stayed, and Kerkez will learn more from Robbo than he would have from Tsimikas or whoever else we brought in. In the end it seems we let Robbo choose which I get.
Robbo also brings experience and leadership and he’s a talker which are all much needed atm. I think it’ll be a good combination of options if things settle down.
November 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Robbo also brings experience and leadership and he’s a talker which are all much needed atm. I think it’ll be a good combination of options if things settle down.
He seems the best profile fit of all the new signings on paper. He’s just young and having to make a massive step up in a chaotic period.
November 28, 2025 at 9:58 AM
He seems the best profile fit of all the new signings on paper. He’s just young and having to make a massive step up in a chaotic period.
This is a key point. Where is the accountability for Hughes and the other SDs in this system, especially given Hughes was hired by and reports to his best mate. What if this is largely an SD rather than Head Coach problem and we sack the Head Coach and let the SD choose the next one.
November 28, 2025 at 8:34 AM
This is a key point. Where is the accountability for Hughes and the other SDs in this system, especially given Hughes was hired by and reports to his best mate. What if this is largely an SD rather than Head Coach problem and we sack the Head Coach and let the SD choose the next one.
I’m increasingly worried that the plan for the next game is do the same thing again and hope the chips fall differently.
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I’m increasingly worried that the plan for the next game is do the same thing again and hope the chips fall differently.
Could it be that the PL has become so SP specialist that even the worst attacking SP team in the PL still can dominate in European football? Or just sample sizes and data noise (ie Eintracht Frankfurt had a very bad night defending corners).
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Could it be that the PL has become so SP specialist that even the worst attacking SP team in the PL still can dominate in European football? Or just sample sizes and data noise (ie Eintracht Frankfurt had a very bad night defending corners).
I can sort of imagine how a successful and well coached team suddenly becomes bad at defending set pieces, but how have we become so atrocious at taking them?
November 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I can sort of imagine how a successful and well coached team suddenly becomes bad at defending set pieces, but how have we become so atrocious at taking them?
The idea that we should still be prioritising Isak getting fit in late November at the expense of Ekitike and results in general is increasingly bonkers.
Have we ever done that for another player? Why can’t he start by running himself into the ground for 30 minutes rather than loping for 60?
Have we ever done that for another player? Why can’t he start by running himself into the ground for 30 minutes rather than loping for 60?
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The idea that we should still be prioritising Isak getting fit in late November at the expense of Ekitike and results in general is increasingly bonkers.
Have we ever done that for another player? Why can’t he start by running himself into the ground for 30 minutes rather than loping for 60?
Have we ever done that for another player? Why can’t he start by running himself into the ground for 30 minutes rather than loping for 60?
Sadly successive governments have doubled down on fossil-funded media campaigns to pit nature against economic growth despite all the evidence that it underpins it.
November 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Sadly successive governments have doubled down on fossil-funded media campaigns to pit nature against economic growth despite all the evidence that it underpins it.
If you’re going to be unpopular at least do unpopular things like rebuilding public services and prioritising the most disadvantaged.
November 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
If you’re going to be unpopular at least do unpopular things like rebuilding public services and prioritising the most disadvantaged.
Yes. If the innate risk-to-life disincentives of small boat crossings aren’t strong enough then making it harder for people to settle or work isn’t going to solve anything for anyone (including Labour). We should have noticed this by now. What happened to smashing gangs?
November 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Yes. If the innate risk-to-life disincentives of small boat crossings aren’t strong enough then making it harder for people to settle or work isn’t going to solve anything for anyone (including Labour). We should have noticed this by now. What happened to smashing gangs?