alexf

So if we are following the Sven Botman storyline, Pope is gonna return and then his unknown knee injury that has kept him out recently is gonna explode. Leaving us with Vlach and Ruddy for remainder of the season

Not underestimating the job still to do in the 2nd leg. But I totally get the thoughts regards Liverpool or Spurs as opponents. What I would say is this set of players have beaten spurs 3 out of the last 4 times. That has to inject belief and confidence and help improve our chances on the day. Whereas on the flip side, this Howe team have never beaten Liverpool, although we're inching closer each time. Would be interesting but if we both reach the final, do we play Liverpool again in the league before it? Not sure if that would be good or bad.

Would cost more than we can afford right now. His stock is high.

They will be looking to kill the tie tonight. I can't see a spurs win but you never know I suppose.

Didn't mention the impact Tonali has made. Which is the key to allowing us to press higher again.

It was the "that would be my wish" at the end after being asked if he could stay and get a new contract that concerned me. Just no need to say that or put that out there if you know he's leaving. All that is gonna do is let everyone know that Mitchell has sanctioned a sale against Howe's wishes. We don't need any of that bullshit again. They need to keep any disagreements behind closed doors.

I know there is a culture and everything to why some people talk like that, but half these kids doing it is so forced and cringe trying to sound cool.

Nothing. Treat them as separate one off games regarding yellows.

I know

With the chance to push for champions league and one foot in the league cup final. I'd probably be prepared to go all in on those two and sacrifice the fa cup. Not that we should need to with this opposition. But just wonder if we have the squad to fight on 3 fronts. We saw last year it was a real strain on the squad having extra games. Hopefully we can keep resting players and get some nice draws for few more rounds and then we can review where we are at regards the league and squad fitness.

From what I have seen they and Villa are the biggest threat to us from the other teams. Forrest will hopefully drop off eventually and give us chance to overtake them but I think if Man City and Chelsea sort themselves out they "should" finish above us, due the squads they have. But no guarantees if we maintain form. But if we have a drop off then it will be about keeping Bournemouth and Villa behind us.

Maybe I am just a pessimist but I prefer not to get too carried away and maybe that's why I don't set expectations too high and so wasn't one of those suggesting the Eddie's time was nearly up. While we have been great on this run we have also rode some luck, whether that be decisions going out way, playing teams like spurs/man U when they are missing key players, playing Arsenal with no Saka, injuries clearing up for us/players staying fit. Etc. etc. We are only an Isak or Tonali injury from potentially dropping back to previous inconsistent form. Unfortunately our first 11 is a match for anyone but beneath that we are lacking. Take Isak out and we are down to Osula or Gordon through the middle which despite him doing a job, is nowhere near Isak levels. We're on a wave at the mo and we need to hope we can sustain and ride it out as long as possible. It's the same for many teams however. Take Salah or VVD out of Liverpool and they would drop a little also.

The only one he came for and missed, he was fouled, so I'd say he coped well. Couple of times when the ball was on the floor I felt he could have come and grabbed with his hands but decided to try and kick it away.

Even though I think it's a clear red and the correct decision. The audio isn't great. Just because Schar is holding between his legs in pain from the left leg impact the ref goes against his assistant advice and upgrades to a red. Just encourages players to play act which is what we have seen for years, if you don't over-sell the contact you don't get the decisions.

Can't be saying things like Treble is on without a safety someone might read it seriously

In modern inflation times, with the sort of fees that have gone round for average players. I don't see how £150m for arguable the best all round striker in the world with age on his side and potential to improve further can be in anyway unrealistic? If anything it still probably under values him, especially his importance to us. In the last few years alone we have seen people like Antony and Hoijlund go to Man U for £80-90m. Mount aswell was like £70m. Grealish obviously another one £100m. Caiceido and Enzo as deep lying midfielders £120m each was it? Rice £100m Alvarez £90m? So if you add on the extra for the fact strikers historically always go for more as they are the ones that scored the goals, plus the fact there is a lack of top level strikers in Europe these days. It really isn't an unfair fee. If anyone is saying so in the media it is out of pure resentment that he plays for us and not one of the sky darlings.

Really? I think seeing it again I can't see what all the fuss was about. Clear red. Purposefully plants his left foot on to Schar and then makes sure to land the right aswell whilst also kicking his leg out to rake the studs. When you watch it full speed he has so much time to avoid Schar but because Schar turns his body and puts his leg in the air, Duran sees red and thinks Schar is trying to kick him so reacts.

Yeah didn't cost us but the amount of cheap free kicks given for clear and obvious dives so they could try another set piece was ridiculous. Not to mention some of the clear pulling and shoving on those set pieces. Dubravka got completly pushed over on that cross he "missed" and you know if it had gone in ref would have ignored. Glad they didn't intervene on the Isak push. You see forwards do that every game and would have been ridiculous reason to rule out. Odegaard didn't even complain. Loved how the ref managed to completely miss Trossard pulling people back aswell. Yet more "dark arts" from the goodie two shoes gooners.

Would like to see abit of that Sanusi if fit for either from start or bench. Looked talented. Barnes, Bruno, Willock Schar and Trippier + whoever else, you would hope would have more than enough to see this through. Must rest are: Isak, Gordon, Tonali, Joelinton, Hall, Botman, Burn and probably Murphy and Tino too.

That Savinho had a great game when switched to the left for Man City the other day aswell. Something to be said for good quality crosses. Is odd that something so common in the past got replaced almost exclusively by inverted wingers. That being said I think if you have good quality overlapping full backs like Hall and Trippier (pre meltdown) then it kind of negates the need and you get best of both worlds if you have the inverted wingers then aswell who can cut inside and shoot. Murphy has been a solid squady since Howe however and I think our win % when he starts over the last few years is really high. So he certainly brings a balance to the side and has a great relationship with Isak.

Yeah was frustrating watching him tonight. Mentioned in the Tonali thread, thought off the ball he looked a little lost and was polar opposite to Tonali when you saw him. However he was still working hard. But he was getting bullied by Rice and Party at times physically and his passing and touch were poor whenever he got it. Even when he had chance to get forward and stretch his legs as one of his strengths, his touch or passing let him down. So think he's still looking for form and sharpness. But currently he's a clear second choice behind the others. Thought he would be best suited to playing alongside Bruno and Tonali in this new system but Big Joe just has more about him to an little Joe at the moment.

Obviously wouldn't happen but would take both. Eddie would get a tune out of Garnacho as he has similar attributes and qualities to Gordon. Mainoo is a real talent aswell.

The way he swivels with that low centre of gravity and just keeps the ball everytime is a wonderful thing to watch. Looks so strong now aswell. Deserves a rest as played so much football but lad is a really star. Player of the season so far for consistency atleast.

Superb in almost everything he did. Perfect game for him really and he rose to the occasion. Feels so frustrating to think back to a year ago where he was just having an awful time at full back and everyone could see he was a big lumbering CB playing out of position. But to recover and slot in and cover Botman for his entire injury, but not only that, to now make it so it's not automatic that Botman slot straight back in is a massive credit to him. Big Leader and glad he got to wear the armband tonight.

What he lacks in technique he makes up for in passion and heart. The guy gives his all for the team and then some. Even tonight I kept thinking first half his touch and speed of thought looks lacking when up against some of the better players/teams. But he has such unique qualities that he brings to the team.