KaKa

Loved the shape he started with today and thought there were a ton of positives from that. Wish Ramsey had just slotted in behind the striker when he came on for Woltemade. He's looked good there for Villa, and his through ball came from a central position today, when he drifted inwards from the left. We didn't need to change shape once Woltemade went off, and I think the team eventually paid for it. We did not control the game as well in the second half and defensively the same old problems from before started popping up, with gaps in front of the central defenders. For me personally, I'm sick to death of the 4-3-3 shape with Tonali sat in that deeper position. Seen enough of it all season and it doesn't work. I don't think he's going to move away from it, and will only change shape sometimes to play Woltemade if he stays. If Tonali stays and the plan is to mostly continue with that 4-3-3 shape then I don't want Howe to continue next season.

Looks like we're looking to move him on early and the money that comes in will be pretty important this summer. Why risk him getting injured? Do not play him.

Could the team not have kept the double pivot shape after the subs? Think I'm completely done with that 4-3-3 with Tonali at the base. I'm completely out on it under Howe.

Looked much better alongside Bruno in a double pivot both offensively and defensively I thought. Better possession and better protection of the back four. No surprise that on the goal he was in a terrible position again, after we dropped into the 4-3-3. Somehow ended up stood alongside the centre-backs in the defensive line. If he's stood alongside the midfielders in front of the defence maybe he's able to prevent the one-two that leads to the goal, or get across earlier to cover for Bruno once he's beaten. Also not surprised that late on we were not able to keep possession as well as the team did in the first half once he dropped into the 6 in the 4-3-3. Hate him in that singular central midfield role in a three man midifeld.

Also go back and look at where Tonali is standing after both have been beaten. His positioning makes no sense. He's never there to cover for anyone. See the likes of Rice and Caicedo do it all the time when they play in that holding position. We can't be playing this 4-3-3 again next season with him in that central role.

Look so much more open in this 4-3-3. Suddenly here come the one-twos in front of the defence all over again. Tonali once again is out of position standing with the defensive line and is never there to cover any midfield runners.

Joelinton has been great today. Bruno in front of goal today man

Don't like the defensive setup now we're back in this 4-3-3. Finding gaps to punch the ball into between the lines and in front of the defence again.

No idea why he went flying in there like that. Looked like his ankle had a nasty buckle on impact.

Great goal. Lovely ball from Ramsey. Barnes continues to have better production when starting from that right side this season.

lol

So unlucky Osula man. Nice free kick.

What the hell was that pass?! Just fired it into traffic

Bruno has to score one of those man.

Frustrating for Woltemade. Needed to see more from him, but hopefully he gets more chances in that role. Hope the team keeps this shape and they play Ramsey off Osula.

Why won't Hall release the fucking ball quicker when he comes inside like that. This team is so frustrating man.

Hall cutting in is painful. Terrible pass just then.

Forest diving all over the place today man.

Woltemade has been out of the side for ages now and has not started a single game in the role he's playing today. By now Woltemade should have had a good amount of game time playing in this role, and by now should be looking far more further along and comfortable. It's going to need a bit of time, but unfortunately I don't think the fans will give it to him. Howe has done a poor job of integrating him this season and with how bad the season has gone in general, people aren't in the mood to be patient. Hopefully things come together quickly for them. Can't help but think it's going to be a rocky ride for both while things get figured out.

Absolutely love the pair of them in that double pivot. Think it's looked great. Hope we persist with that going forward.

Well, unlike most on here it seems, I liked a lot of that Joelinton has looked great on the left. Love the double pivot of Bruno and Tonali, which has taken some of the build up responsibility off Tonali, and defensively has done a better job of covering that wretched gap that always exists in front of the defence. Osula continues to look bright. And just needs to continue to work on being a bit more composed in certain situations. Love the gaps Woltemade is starting to pop up in and he really just needs to be a lot quicker and decisive with his actions. Won't happen if he isn't given more of run in this setup though. Unfortunately Hall has to keep coming inside on that right side and so can't give proper width and Burn on the left is just not a full back. Miley at RB and Hall at LB today would have made things look a lot better.

We have to get another pair of full backs. This would all be so much better with two full backs that are actually overlapping on their strong side.

Ah man! Wish Osula had slotted that. Good play from Nick just then. Don't think Osula needed too take a touch. Allowed the keeper to close him down more.

Yeah, he'll need the time to get used to getting the ball in those tight spaces between the lines. Shame he hasn't been played in this position more this season. Needs to do everything much quicker. Wants too much time and some of the dribbling he could do in Germany isn't going to fly here. Only going to make the adjustment with more game time in this role.

Think Joelinton has been great so far.