Conjo

Better quality. Minteh involved in quite a few chances that didn't lead to goal too. Looks so fucking fast when he accelerates. Like he has boosters

Best case scenario we get European competition next season. We sell one of Murphy or Almiron and buy a new RW.

1st choice  - New RW

2nd choice - Minteh

3rd choice cover for both RW & LW - Murphy or Almiron

Chris Wood 

Only 2 points to 6th, and Liverpools title chance took a hit. Nice start to the football day.

Now if Sheffield United could kick lumps out of Chelsea in a gritty 1-0 victory and Nottingham Forest injures a key player or two from Tottenham.

Think I might be willing to sacrifice a trophyless Liverpool on their farewell tour season for us finishing 6th above Man Utd.

Edit: nvm - just remembered they won the league cup. Fuck Man Utd in that case.

1 hour ago, Ikon said:

New RW and Minteh back and we would have some decent wide options. Undecided if we should loan him out for another season or not though. Not sure what would be best. 

It's either bring in Minteh or buy a new RW for me. There's a chance we're not able to move on Murphy or Almiron. Minteh needs to play. Won't be getting any play time here with 3 RW's in front of him.

I feel fullbacks generally benefit from being young and energetic, and in more recent history also athletic. Before the generation @TheBrownBottle mentions, the two best English examples are probably Gary Neville & Ashley Cole whom were regulars in top sides and had their international debuts at 20 years of age. 

Other examples of players doing well, playing regularly for top teams from a young (18-20) age - Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra, Jordi Alba, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jose Enrique, Dani Alves, Marcelo, John-Arne Riise...I'm sure there's tons of more examples.

22 minutes ago, Mike said:

 

I did in the match thread tbf. Was electric.

Not surprised. You are a funny guy!

Surprised nobody has suggested a front three of Isak - Barnes - Gordon  "Barnes is a goalscorer so he could play up front" "Isak is more effective with his dribbling from the wing so could play left wing" "Gordon would be great to get past players on the outside and cross the ball so should play on the right"

Seriously though, he played probably half of his games for Everton on the right, so its not like he can't do it. He's much better cutting inside from the left though so prefer him and all our other players to play in their best position rather than shoehorning them into the team.

Thought he did well in a difficult work environment. This is the experience he needs that he won't be getting by not playing.

For all the weird shots he attempts at times, he has some fucking excellent finishes too. Don't think that ends up a goal today if the ball isn't bounced on the ground like Bruno did.

Just seen the Everton goal                                 

Just now, Yorkie said:

That is a stonking result. Didn't see a kick but assumed we were in for a hiding after a glance at the half-time natter on here.  Did we pick up or was it a robbery?

We picked up in the second half, but not by much. It's like your standard Man Utd 1-0 victories this season, if you've seen one of those.

Feel like I need to lay down for a rest after that  Fucking MASSIVE 3 points! The team dug deep to get that. I

oh fuck...the Dummett redemption arc incoming

Marco Silva with a Steve Bruce "all the strikers on" desperation move.

Anderson has a good leap

Well that pretty painful to watch.

Only Gordon and Bruno in our side seemingly capable of taking an opponent on to create some space and open up for forward passes today. Every other player when closed down stops and passes backwards. Fulhams entire team is seemingly capable of taking on any one of our players and get past them with ease.

Our passing has been woeful in general. Probably a combination of poor passing, our players not being able to make themselves available to receive the ball due to Fulham working really hard off the ball, and our players not putting in the effort required to make themselves available.

Not one single player warrants more than a 5 or 6 at most so far.

Just now, STM said:

Willock going off with a broken workrate.

 I feel bad for laughing.

2 minutes ago, kenlau88210 said:

Lewis Hall is ass at defending

Brace yourself for when Adama Traore comes on against his tired legs 

It would actually be hilarious if Dubs has to come off here, and Karius then gets injured so Howe is finally vindicated for having 2 keepers on the bench for half a season.

Horrible start by Murphy  Didn't press when Gordon almost caught it, fell alseep twice in defence & bad pass in the space of under 3 minutes. Can only get better!

Leif looks like a clear upgrade on Burn at LB while retaining some of the qualities presumably Howe values in that position.

Not a very exciting player has to be said, but looks solid and ok with ball in feet.

Yeah, that's fair. I wasn't very nervous either when he came on due to his solid cameos previously. Was expecting him to slot in at CB with Burn going wide though - not sure if that would have ultimately made a difference considering his position in the box when he fouled Young. Burn for his limitations is still much better with the ball in feet than Dummett so maybe a small chance we could have made something happen later on down the left wing instead of Paul freezing up when the ball touched his shoe, only to pass it backwards after a few seconds.

18 hours ago, PauloGeordio said:

We’ve had worse. Anyway I’m off to FFP thread for more Hopium 

Solano-Taylor-Huntington-Edgar for our 2-2 against Man Utd springs to mind.

Back then we also had a 12-man injury list. The obvious difference difference being we relied on youthful enthusiasm and energy then rather than glue factory material now. That was Edgars debut, who was (is?) a CB, and he scored in that game. Fail to see why we could not have subbed on Alex Murphy instead.