Gallowgate Toon

I think it sends the message from the top that CL isn't a must this season, this was meant to be a progression year. For me, finishing top 6 would still be absolutely fantastic and I think we have enough in the tank and tactically flexible options to make it happen.

Was anyone else really disappointed in the subs last night? They were good calls from Howe but I just thought the triple sub didn't add any energy to the team. Isak & ASM had a couple of nice touches but struggled to get into it even before Bruno's red. Felt like the pressing just dropped off a cliff too, bar one or two sprints from them. The second half was a strange one overall though, guess that's just cup football.

Would be a real shame if he's out. Think it's the perfect time to try the Isak-Wilson 4-2-3-1 with Bruno missing.

Someone posted a Chelsea first XI and it still didn't look that great probably because it had Havertz as the #9.

He was absolutely magic for about an hour, like. Some world class play in the first half, in particular.

Seemed like a plan to try and keep things calm first 10 mins of the half and then bring the subs on to catch on the break. Sub performances were odd though, almost lacking in intensity.

Really odd game, as has been said. The pull back goal seemed to give us the jitters and we were content to sit in and manage it out from there. Probably sensible. We were taking the sting out very early on in the second half with slow walks to get the ball etc. Would've preferred we came out as we did in the first and try to blitz it but who gives a fuck, we're in a final!

Bad tackle but it happens. Fine margins in games. Ultimately, I thought we sat back far too much in the second half looking to counter and gave them momentum which led to this. Something to work on.

What an atmosphere. I'm absolutely fucked.

Will run riot in the Europa next year.

A young midfield talent would've made this a very positive window indeed, for me. As it stands, 6/10 (including Kuol in ths business )

Our manager clearly thinks he can compete at our level (don't see him starting tonight though).

A couple of comments that the pitch was a bit dodgy at St Mary's, to be fair to us.

Ideally, we do get another CM for both cover and another in-game option to switch things up, but Howe isn't wedded to 3 mids, imo. If we needed to, we could confidently switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3.

Howe has to be really careful with the situation with the attackers. Fair enough, cup semi-final so you want to go with some safety, but if that starting XI goes another 60 minutes without scoring and missing chances then he has to change it for the weekend. It doesn't send a good message to attacking players that running hard and being tidy in possession is enough to start if you're not contributing to actual goals. Isak and ASM are motivated to start but if they feel like they're not going to get in regardless of performance then they'll lose that edge in their cameos.

Got some sympathy for the training line but Isak has performed well and should start. Wilson can come on and show he's back. Or you start them both...

"you'll probably win" but we're arrogant clowns for thinking it

Berge fits our giant freaks mould.

Fucking yas

Will be a bit sad to see him go, tbh. Think he's looked good for us under Howe but his injury situation warrants getting shot now.

Hell of a change for the lad going from a low possession, dull-as-dishwater side to us. It'll be an adjustment, I'm sure. I have a feeling Howe really likes his movement off the ball when in possession, an option who can make Miggy moves from the other side (or come on in games to do the same). I'll be surprised if he starts much for a while.

Brighton fans at work are fuming, rightfully. What a shit statement. I think it's a fair offer for him based on his actual ability though.

Trying to get a bit more excited about him - scored a couple of nice goals earlier in the season when Everton were showing a modicum of form. Good movement & tidy finishes. The GoT thread on him from last season is still a mixed bag. Some calling him a bright spark in the side, some saying they don't think he's got what it takes, some saying their shite defensive tactics make it hard etc.

Don't think he'll start much for a while as I think it's going to take some time to build his fitness up.

Not bowled over but I think he'll be a good signing over time. Quite a lot of aspersions cast about ability considering he's 21. It's interesting looking at other players who are now/ have recently been producing output compared to what they'd done at 20/21 - Grealish, Barnes, Nketiah, Harrison etc. Not everyone is a Foden.