Conjo

Laugh about Longstaff all you want. We're 2-0 up with him in the team and no Bruno who lost 2-1 against the same team. Do the math.

Didn't think that joke could be funnier than after we signed Rodrigo Vilca, but somehow it just gets better and better for every prospect we sign.

Are they only counting corners that are headed directly in goal? I have a vivid memory of a short corner move that ended up with Gordon whipping in a cross from the edge of the box that led to a goal at the end (or second half) of last season...? Or was it a free kick?

Curious to know about 23/24. Assuming that it's somewhere in between, it does indicate that our opposition has found out how to set up and press us. I know Eddie has talked about how they do tweaks and adjustments to the tactics all the time as a counter to when the topic of formations have come up in press conferences, but hopefully he's working on implementing more drastic changes to fix this. It wasn't a surprising stat to see based on how we've played and conceded goals this season.

I have my reservations over Barnes/prioritization of where we have strenghtened the squad as well, but he is clutch as fuck and will help us gain many points in the coming years. Seems to be best as a sub coming on against tired legs after Gordon has harassed the opposition defence for 60+ minutes.

I mean, it clearly hasn't worked to flog managers at the rate they have been doing, so it kind of feels like a collective effort from the fans to give him more time than the previous managers to see if that could eventually lead to more consistent performances. They haven't given him more time because it was ETH is my impression.

Please please please let Southgate weasel himself into the job on the back of being buddies with Jim & Dan.

Maybe I'm a little tainted by his recent performances, unless he's being asked to stay up top on the cb's shoulders no matter what and where the ball is, which i find hard to believe, I can't help but feel like him being isolated is a bit of his own fault as well?

Think we'll avenge the loss. Looking forward to getting Liverpool or Man City away next round.

The only positives today is Lewis Hall and, grasping at straws, how relieved/happy Chelsea were to see the game out. Not sure why - it wasn't a great achievement by them to do so but feels good that they feel it is.

Gusto dragging down Barnes outside of their box which wasn't given by the ref was much more clear than that one.

ref played a blinder there luring our players into the trap of thinking it is allowed to drag opposition players down unpunished.

fuuuuuucking hell Isak

Let's move into the Man Utd thread for a laugh everyone.

Luuk De Jong would be proud of the power behind that header from Isak

Maybe we shouldn't aim try and get Isak involved in play after all? Awful attempt at a pass, then loses the ball immediately after to give Chelsea the goal.

Christ Isak

Isak losing another toe.

This ref man

Might as well get Krafth & Kelly on for Schar and Burn if we're going to keep doing the same thing second half. They'll get done same way Schar and Burn is, but at least they have a bit more recovery pace.

I don't like this free role Burn has gotten. Random bit of play and all of a sudden a 2 meter tall geordie appears strolling across the tv screen coming back from a midfield position

Two teams have players where we're genuinely better off man marking them wherever they go on the pitch to try and make it a 10v10 in a way. Palmer at Chelsea is one of them. Rodri at Man City the other. Stick Joelinton on him and tell him to never be further than a metre away from him.

Sucks that Gordon is out, but its not nearly as big an issue as the doom squad indicates. He's out of form, and we even have a good option on the bench where we can sub Barnes for Willock & shift Joelinton out wide if Barnes is struggling to make anything happen today.

New contract signed. Time to rest yee olde legs for a bit.