Positive or negative about Arbeola, the stats still don't look good for Gonzalo in the goal stats.
His running stats are fantastic but if we wanted running, we could have employed Usain Bolt and he probably would have edged it in the running stakes. Yes, i believe we are an improvement and a more resiliant team standing up against the onslought and might of Liverpool and Man utd. We haven't had prolific goal scorers in our team for a long time now but what we have we can work with and survive and thrive if only Arbeloa stops favouring Gonzalo. Muniz i still think is the better option in a prem which takes no prisoners.
Bigger is not always best but the saying goes, "A good big 'un beats a good little 'un". Lol, i am not saying that Muniz is a knock-out and all out goal-scorer who is prolific, but i think he will score more goals than Gonzalo in a season. There were moments in matches so far when Muniz would have been the better option but Arbeloa completely missed the chance to sub Muniz on nice and early, Arbeloa and timing of subs or even putting on the right subs is suspect to say the least. I am not saying he is a bad manager, he is a very good and progressive manager who will learn from his many mistakes and even the best make them. I can hear my ears burning and some fans will say that Muniz will not score goals if given 8x 90 minutes on a football field and you might be correct but how do you know if he doesn't get the minutes?
Lastly i want to say that Giving Gonzalo more minutes on a football fied than Pele might just hit paydirt if you pay attention to that great stat and a book i believe called 10,000 Hours: You Become What You Practice. Gonzalo will most likely score the goals adding to his tally of one which was a deflection. Excuse the negative from me folk's but you all must agree, we need goals from our squad.
Replies
The only way a team can win a match, is to score goals, and this is where we are failing so far. AA said that Garcia would prove to be a prolific goal scorer, when we signed him, and he might be eventually, but he is way off beam at the moment. I can't criticise his work rate, but we signed him to score goals, w which he isn't doing so far, apart from that delightful one against Wimbledon, which proved that he can do it. After 5 games we aren't sitting pretty in the table, but hopefully that position will improve before Christmas, as the relegation battle is going to be prolonged this season, and a number of clubs could be involved, that fans weren't expected so far. Truthfully, who could foresee Spurs, Villa, Bournemouth, and ourselves being involved, plus Palace, and Sunderland. I can still see Coventry, Hull, Ipswich, Sunderland, and Palace, fighting it out in the end, as
surely Spurs, Villa, Bournemouth, and Fulham, will start winning soon.
posted by AC (Guest) - Monday 21st September 2026, 9:27 PM
Garcia looks like a schoolboy playing in a men's league. Cannot hold up the ball. Had no joy against Maguire on Sunday, nor in previous matches. Does not seem to jump and challenge on headers, rushes his passes and shots. Muniz is a much better option as a hold up Centre forward given his height, physicality and experience in the Premier League.
posted by Bertuvius (Guest) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 2:13 AM
Muniz runs about a lot but never in the right place, Garcia looks a real forward and will score a lot very soon.
posted by The Time Is Now - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 5:28 AM
Agree 100% Mr Time , Muniz is a championship player at best.
posted by Mick (Guest) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 5:53 AM
Neither strikers are in the shadow of Mitro. We need to splash the cash in January because our defensive work is now retarding our ability to score and we need a REAL 10 goals (minimum) forward who can take chances and half chances.
posted by MST (Moderator) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 7:54 AM
It's all very well saying that we need a striker in January, but so do other clubs, but where are these strikers that clubs are looking for as they don't grow on trees. I think that we should swallow our pride, and search the Championship, or even lower, as there must be a gold nugget, somewhere down there, who will be better than both Garcie and Muniz.
posted by THE CRAVEN (Guest) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 8:27 AM
Give Garcia a bit of time. On Saturday, he could and probably have buried 2 goals. Still need more time to find his composure inside the box in the premier league. He's not getting the credit for his movement which enabled King to get more touches of the ball inside the box with them two switching play constantly. Unlike, Muniz, i still have a lot of faith in Garcia.
posted by JohnC (Guest) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 9:48 AM
Along with John C, I have to agree with his comments with regard to Garcia, and I have a feeling that by this time next season, he will be a player, that if he is injured, ,we will, start to panic. Coming from the Spanish type of football, to the much harder Premier League is a really big jump, and is it is just being hopeful that he is a quick learner, and a couple of Premier League goals will give him the confidence that he is looking for. How long did it take Alex Henry to become the striker he was, and Garcia could turn out to be the same.
posted by LTS (Guest) - Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 10:30 AM