HawK

Watching keenly, ready to re-assess.

Ravaged by fast-onset vitiligo

It's like all the attacking players all went to their favoruite spot in the box, rather than finding space.

Lascelles middle-of-the-pitch, launched passes are underrated, he's quite adept at picking a player. I do often think it comes as a result of being under pressure rather than being the best option at the time, though.

Welcome to NUFC match threads, where knees are jerked and feelings are hurt. But after the final whistle, we all bitch and moan in a more civilized manner, until the next day when we calm down and realise we're all still really happy we are where we are and believe in the long term project.

Must have Eddie's kids locked up in his basement or something Come on Eddie, show some balls.

Well put, especially from Almiron. Wilson looks like he's coasting at the moment, part of me thinks that since achieving playing at the World Cup for England, with the age he is, he's happy with his lot and would hang up his boots now, 'completed it'. Already working on his media career, can't see the hunger now. I hope I'm reading way too much into this, but I can't be the only one thinking about this. Gordon's not getting support/runners to make gaps for him so he looks a bit hamstrung with Burn behind him with a wall of blue shirts in front. I do think Targett behind him would completely change what we see from him.

For me there's three issues to work on / resolve for second half : There is no link-up at all between Burn and Gordon. Gordon stays high, Burn plays so deep he's basically on his own byline as he's terrified of being beaten by Foden again. This is creating huge spaces for City to play in when they have the ball, and we have no support for Gordon when we do have the ball. Suggest we resolve by replacing with Targett. Wilson is being post-World Cup Wilson, easy resolve in bringing on our attacker with the most quality, Isak. Almiron's not even in the game, and not being mentioned because of other more glaring issues. When he is on the ball, he only cuts inside against Ake who loves him doing this as he can just stand there and watch Almiron play it back. Where has Almiron's confidence gone to try and take a man on and take a shot? Seems to have evaporated since Christmas. Would like to see Maxi on the right to go outside Ake, stretch the pitch, and whip balls in. Positive points : Our midfield three, aside from transitions, have largely stopped City playing through the middle very effectively and have looked very good. Lascelles has looked effective defensively. Joelinton has looked class.

There's an easy argument to be had there but it serves no purpose point taken though, would rather it not be the exception to the rule though. If he regularly contributed more in the build up play I think the mood in the room would be completely different.

Longstaff just Sunday leagued that back casually, come on man I defended you just 2 pages ago

If a poacher isn't scoring his chances, you're playing 10v11. He offers nothing outside finishing chances. He was an elite level poacher, not sure what he is now.

I was first in line to criticise Wood's finishing and positioning in build up play, and positioning in the box or where he would stand in relation to defenders, or how he headed a ball, or how confident and enthusiastic he looked, or how he struck the ball. But, he genuinely did receive the ball at feet or chest level sometimes on the half way line on the break and lay it off, sometimes more than once per game. There is a false narrative that's used to defend Wilson that often revolves around that he 'held the ball up well'. I've never seen Wilson hold the ball up. This would involve receiving the ball and retaining possession. In the 10% of occasions he receives the ball back-to-goal and doesn't lose it immediately, he never looks for the pass, he actually tries to use his 'pace' to beat the man, and just gets crowded out.

Good spot

There is no link up on the left, burn won't overlap so there is no dynamicism to get Gordon dropping back. Were crying out for Targett who can do this with aplomb and underlap with confidence too.

Wilson you've been falling over all season why do you think it's going to work now. Glue factory beckons

I disagree, I think it's a confidence/mentality thing. In every game we play, he gets at least one clear cut chance in the box. That's one more than any one of our other players gets every game.

Burn petrified of being on the ball under pressure in the opponent's half, makes it so much harder for Gordon and Maxi playing in front of him. Seeing now why Murphy had joy, he basically played as a wingback.

Longstaff is genuinely amazing at finding the right spot in the box, he's Kevin Nolan levels of good. Finishing more on par with a Man Utd-era Forlan though.

Hoping this lineup allows Howe to think about Maxi-Isak-Gordon at some point today

Don't think bruno had any choice there, foul or take the ball. Take the ball you risk taking the man, getting a card guaranteed. And you risk missing the ball, and I would have put money on ilkay scoring there.

Older version of the forum handled nested quotes much better though

He has a lot more value to us than he would have for any other club, I do think we're going to let him go at all.

It's obviously our best line-up on paper. I really miss Targett at left back, he was brilliant coming forward and getting into dangerous areas, let alone the options from set pieces he gives us. Burns out of form at the moment but he's been part of the team that's got us to the final. Everything about Howe's management screams loyalty so I don't see any scenario where Burn isn't starting.