alexf

I think Coutinho would get the better of Shelvey but stick Bruno on him and he will be a bit tighter and will know him well from the Brazilian national team. That's if he is playing number 10? Not sure if villa are using him as one of the wide forwards or not.

Fair play to him, I was worried all that confidence he has built up lately was going to drop away after that slip. But he had a strong 2nd half and was important in the build up for the 2nd goal.

Gonna be a tough game this one. Hopefully the lads carry some momentum. Pull off another a win and I really don't think we have to look back after that. We'd comfortably stay up.

Seemed like he was carrying an injury most of the season. Or perhaps it was a mental block but the last few games he has stretched his legs and its almost like once he remembers he's actually quick he grows in confidence throughout the game. I was hoping he can turn it around and play that role that Lingard was likely going to take and I think he is a crucial player for the remainder of the season in terms of breaking from midfield and trying to get some goals.

Had a feeling this would happen but glad it did..... We look so much fitter.

I agree. However he was doing that when he came on as he came on for Willock. I just think he will bring more to the team than Shelvey and I believe Willock is the only player we have that can do that most advanced of the 3 role and Joelinton has been pretty consistent in his number 8 role. I appreciate playing the pivot might not be is best position as I haven't seen enough of him but I just think our best 3 midfield would be Willock Bruno Joelinton if we carry on this formation. They all bring something different and I just find Shelveys lack of mobility the biggest concern.

Exactly what we needed. Nothing flashy but just solid left back who is going to allow ASM to use all his energy in attacking. Shame he's out of villa game but he's going to be massive for the rest of the season. Well played lad.

One thing I would say. If we had Wilson and our other players could finish then that should have been a 5 or 6 tonight level of performance. All over the pitch we were dominant. There was a period 2nd half where we just piled the pressure on for a solid 10 minutes and they didn't get out it was just corner after corner. So the only concern or negative is it seems its gonna take a lot of chances for us to get the goals we need. But if they could keep that energy level up and closing down then we look like we'll be a tough team to play against now.

Shelvey has improved lately but this guy looks like he's gonna slot into his position easily. Looked very classy with every touch and his closing down was better than anything we have had all season even in just a few minutes.

He's a level above when he's on it. I wish people could accept the times when things don't come off because you have to understand its the sort of player he is. He's a risk taker and when it clicks it's great and sometime it doesn't come off but atleast he's trying. He's getting better as a player with us and having a decent left back behind him helped loads. Plus players like Bruno feeding him passes 1 on 1 instead of 1 v 4 will prove lucrative.

10/10 performance. Hope the knock he got isn't bad. Seems the type it would take a lot to keep him from playing.

We have to go on and win this. They are there for the taking if we could just take some of these chances. Bruno hopefully gets on before Shelvey gets sent off

I mean how many times has that happened to him in his time here now. His legs literally buckle with fear every time he ever has a chance to score. Like there's a curse on him. Should have had 2 goals in thst half on his own.

Loves sticking it to PSG doesn't he EDIT * just saw the final score

Yeah alot may depend on if Hodgson can get Watford picking up results. Which will make our task infinitely harder.

Gives me Kovacic vibes from Chelsea, which is no bad thing as I think he's a very good player. But seems to have that tenacity in winning the ball and then is comfortable at finding space and finding a team mate. Could be a huge signing and hopefully lifts the performances of those around him also.

Watched some clips of him. He'll instantly be the best left back at the club which more than justifies his signing. Seemed to link up well with Grealish at Villa down that left side. Let's hope he and ASM can get a good understanding going also.

Yeah you can't dump Murphy out. He is finally starting to show glimpses of ability, can cover a number of positions and has pace. Hayden if there is no one else. Injured but also has played like total shit even when he wasn't injured. Contributes nothing.

The funny thing with Wood is as soon as he gets a goal I think people may relax a little more and warm to him. Unfortunately I don't think we are really set up for his style and if anything he will be the distraction/nuisance that will hopefully allow ASM and maybe Willock to pick up a few more goals. Which means he will still be helping the team and making a difference. Early in the season, the concern wasn't really that we couldn't score goals it was we couldn't defend. So we often needed 3 or 4 to win a game which we definitely weren't good enough to do. If we can stop throwing away leads in the final 10 minutes of games we will be ok. Improved fitness levels have as much to do with this as well, because after 70 mins in games our players are visibly fucked. I hope Howe and his staff have been able to improve this in the time they have had so far. The leeds result signifies this, however we still had 3 muscle injuries during the game I believe?

Is Calvert-Lewin fit again now? They have a lot of attacking players that can hurt us, DCL, Richarlison, Van de Beek, Dele Ali, Gray, Townsend (ex-player typical goal reasons) Just hope the newly formed defence is up to the task and they are as shit at the back as they have been recently.

Arteta really wanted rid of him no matter what Just gave away their main goalscorer for last few years and club captain. To be fair, did come across like a bit of a dick. Would have probably taken him here out of desperation just for now but ideally I think most would be wise to steer well clear. Seems to have lost alot of pace aswell which was his main asset.

Agree. However good chance he plays Lascelles and Shelvey Instead of Schar and Willock/Miggy. I really hope it doesn't cost us if he does. Really fear a new manager bounce and a debut Vdb/Dele Ali goal. I'd love a solid defensive display and ASM to wreck havoc where he can and/or nick something from set pieces.

Easy to say now as we have no other choice, but agreed, let's hope the leeds 2nd half was a turning point and the break and trip away was a season reset for him to get over whatever physical or mental struggles he's had this year. He now has Bruno sweeping up behind him which should give him more license to burst forward like he did last year. Got 8 goals in 14 games which is highly unlikely to be replicated but it's nearly identical to Lingards 9 in 16 for west ham. There is a player there and hopefully through the disappointment of missing out on an attacking midfielder, Willock can take the opportunity to show us what he's got. Same goes for Fraser, Almiron and Murphy to a lesser extent. This club is going places and they have a chance to show their worth to us in the short to medium term. Otherwise they are all out the door in 6 months time. (maybe not all if we go down )

Now would be a good time for us to announce his injury wasn't as bad as we said and he's back next week

Just realised he's going to be in the team for Everton but then straight out again against Villa as won't be able to play against his parent club.