Gallowgate Toon

Seems like a really nice bloke - iirc, he did a lot back in his home country with his money. Really hope for the best outcome for him.

There's still a lot to look forward to the rest of the season with the current squad. Isak actually being available and now fit again is really big for us, the unpredictability of what Gordon will bring. Hopefully, we can keep Maxi healthy as he can win us points. Plus, we get to watch Bruno play a couple of attacking tweaks and I think we'll go on another run as our underlying numbers are generally still so solid. We really need a plan for Isak. We can't have a player that talented just sitting on the bench as we struggle to score, especially when Wilson is seemingly bulletproof. He's the key.

I hope the players & staff aren't going around thinking 4th isn't achievable anymore with 17 games left to play

That's not necessarily an endorsement of him. Attacking play maybe flowing through him more this campaign but they're one of the lowest scorers in the league. Is he creating quality? Would be interesting to see their XG performance.

Rice seems very built to a counter attacking side, to me I think we've seen with England that when he's in a possession team he lacks range and sometimes seems to play within himself. Very energetic for when games are more stretched though. I think Bruno does the defensive side just as well while also providing excellent possession and final third characteristics.

Going to be sod's law this season that we barely see Bruno and Isak on the pitch together.

Didn't realise he was so quick. There were comments from Everton fans about him gassing out a lot - we might find he doesn't play 90 mins much until he gets a full preseason under his belt.

Start both. We aren't blessed with natural goalscorers in the squad - play the 2 that are when we can. I think it's more important to get Isak in the team over ASM.

Time to tweak the shape, imo. We've got to get Isak in the XI.

Needs a run of games but made it harder for himself today. He's not instinctively looking to move the ball quickly often enough. His game when not on the break is more about opening up gaps to run into by baiting defenders. It can be really effective but is hard when a team is sat deep.

The header was very poor.

That must be the first time we've had under 10 shots at home in ages?

Yup. We either drop him for Isak or tweak the shape to give him more support.

Considering some of the circumstances, I'm ok with a draw. I felt we did well to get control back in the last 30 mins and seemed to be finding nice gaps only to then start launching it in the last 5/10 mins for some daft reason. Gordon looks very well suited to Howe-ball. His first thought is to get the ball into space and go forward, whether pass or touch. Regroup for the next one with Isak back.

Yup, same.

This will definitely change once the day comes but I'm more relaxed about us not winning this with the thought that this is just the start for us. Unless something goes drastically wrong with the ownership, I don't think we'll be waiting another couple of decades to reach the next final.

It's pretty fucking rich that fans of teams owned by billionaires who have effectively formed a cartel are crying because an even richer billionarie has come along to 'ruin the game'

I think it'll be a good game. They're slight favourites and that's fine, we're more suited to that, imo. Last time we played them we were missing some serious attacking options in the squad. Hopefully, we go in close to full strength. They'll rotate for their schedule, it's not like they're going to turn up not being able to run or owt.

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!