Conjo

Guess that includes CL money, so won't look as good in the next set of accounts?

Completely fair for Howe to challenge the players to fight for a spot in the cup final considering the last few performances. Would hate to see players giving up on balls they normally wouldnt, or not challenge for the ball when they normally would in fear of missing out on the final due to suspension or injury.

so god damn pathetic it's actually comical.

I'd start Wilson against West ham, but Isak needs minutes as well to keep him match sharp.

All of December up until the 4-1 loss to Bournemouth 15th January was pretty wild imo. Compared to the previous 3 seasons though this one has definitely been the least entertaining.

Another game where we take the lead and immediately fall back to defend deep, give up all initiative and aim to hit the opponent on the counter. Wish we'd just try to play the same way that got us up to 1-0 in the first place.

What? His performances against Forest & Liverpool doesn't change anything in the grand scheme of things. It'd be nice to upgrade, but we're not desperate for a new first choice keeper.

I'd be more worried for the final if we had taken a point or more at Anfield tbh. At least Liverpool won't show up with a point to prove on top of the motivasion of it being a final.

Going way above my knowledge of system and tactics here, so take it with a grain of salt, but I think we have good passers in the side which indicates to me we need better playing patterns/systems, and players need to work harder to make themselves available to receive the ball. Take yesterday as an example: Liverpool were closing down our players with 2 and 3 men, and our ball carrier often had no available pass, so he was forced to either send it back to the gk or cb's, or try a hopeful hoof. With committing so many players to winning the ball surely there must be positions we could have taken to exploit Liverpool, yet it felt as every player was marked elsewhere on the pitch.

I can't think of one loss where the consensus on here has been that while we played well, the opponent played better and deserved the win. I dare you to find one

Did much better than expected. While it's a severe downgrade on Isak, I don't think him starting against Brighton and West Ham if Isak isn't ready is a crisis, although I'd prefer Osula to be given a shot.

Yes, but he wasn't punished as hard, as teams weren't putting the same pressure on him then as they do now + we were set up much more defensive.

How many on here say they can accept and or expect a loss before a game, but no matter what, whenever we end up losing, find something to justify not accepting the loss anyway? "I don't mind losing, its the manner in which we lost" every single time.

Simply not true Just because we've made their goals look easy, they have worked their asses off all game.

Sub everyone good. Live to fight another day.

game over

Look how hard they work on the counter, and how hard they work to win the ball back when losing possession. Their CBs haven't had much to do, but Liverpool are definitely not in 1st gear.

If we can hold on until 85th minute and then manage to find an equalizer so Liverpool have very little time to find another goal we might get something here. Score too early and Liverpool will assfuck us.

That timed jump from Burn

Assuming Pope is starting from now on, I hope to god he plays himself into form ahead of the cup final.

I long for the days when we were solid at the back. So many soft, early goals against us this season.

You know Villa are in the gift giving mood when even Nketiah scores

Interesting match from a strategic/tactical point of view considering the upcoming final. How will Howe and Slot approach this game? Try out something new as preparation but risk giving up a potential advantage? Set up as normal despite it possibly not being optimal? I feel our chances of winning the cup are reduced if we do well mid-week, and higher if we have something to avenge.

Shola played a fair amount of games out wide too, as crazy as that sounds.