alexf

Didn't he suffer for awhile after with the ankle and there was loads of talk of him needing an op in the summer? Might be remembering it wrong but I do remember it not being as simple as him returning and being fine. Feel like it bothered him for a while afterwards.

Yup. Wouldn't be shocked if Arsenal win CL, Villa won the Europa and Palace won the conference. All though wheels are falling off palace at the moment. But the fact spurs and man u got to the final of Europa last year was probably the most telling. Both had horrific seasons domestically and yet we're still streets ahead of anything in the Europa.

Oh. No idea haven't tracked their europa games. Either way I'm always hopeful when we are at home against anyone.

I'm quietly optimistic for Villa. They have to travel to Turkey today and have one less recovery day. We also have a good record at home against them. Also Kamara injury feels important for them. Will feel better if Bruno wasn't injured but I'm hopeful. It's the upcoming away fixtures I'm less confident for. But if we just go one game at a time like Eddie always likes to do then we can hopefully get through it without too much damage.

Still needs a goal to get started. Think he will be far more useful once that happens. But nice to see the crowd supporting him the last few games. Benefits no one to get on players backs when they are wearing our shirt.

Looked good last night certainly aerially dominate but also good on the ball. Will obviously always have the mobility weaknesses but so does Burn and he was able to recover from his injuries and perform fantastically when moved back to CB. Always hope if Sven can stay fit and get a run of games then we still have a slightly superior version of Burn essentially. That's no criticism of Burn as he raised his game the past two years at CB and has more than filled in for Botman. I just think with the evidence we saw before the injuries, there is still a higher ceiling in Sven if he can play regularly enough to get his form back. For past two years he's been unable to do that. Now is hopefully the chance to put a run together.

Probably pick of a good bunch last night. Looked physically back to peak in moments. Games like that suit him massively. Can press high and aggressive and win the ball in good areas. Games like the Wolves game are where he struggles and probably where we should be trying something different to add a bit more creativity.

Looked a bad one as you know Bruno doesn't stay down or come off unless it's bad. Was worried he had broken a bone or something in his foot the way he was holding it. Fingers crossed as we need him, especially over the coming weeks. Only silver lining I would say is that Joelinton and Tonali seemed to raise their games when he went off and perhaps the increased responsibility will help them perform even better. Certain seemed like the old Tonali was back last night. Plus Miley is putting in great performances recently and assume will be the one to slot in. Although he's a better option at RB than Trippier for me currently also.

Disagree with the last part. Yes he has missed a chance or two occasionally, even Isak and Shearer would miss the odd sitter once and awhile. But I agree with knowing he's gonna score before he scores most of the time. Never get that same feeling with our other forwards. For example there was a moment Gordon got in down the left and I was never confident and he ended up over complicating it and getting too close to the keeper. If it was Barnes in that position I'm pretty sure he just cuts in and scores.

I remember there was a stat revealed a year or two ago that suggested he was the fastest player at the club, based on some kind of training ground test. Obviously this was before Elanga arrived. Not sure how true it was at the time but I think its because he's not really a dribbler so it's not as apparent as much in game but in terms of raw running speed, I think he is up there when he gets going.

Good back up for the Murphy role of whipping early crosses in.

No not just because of Nick. I'm saying despite it regularly being quoted as "possibly the best midfield in the league" by various pundits, It actually hasn't functioned aswell as was being perceived and the lack of creativity there was being papered over by us having (at the time) one of the best and most inform strikers on the planet. Isak had the athleticism to run in behind to stretch back lines and give the midfield more space, but he was also tidy in possession and was an ice cold finisher the majority of his time with us. This allowed for Joelinton and Tonali to be more like destroyers and not required to add much from an attacking perspective. But as I mentioned, loss in form, injuries etc also pays a part and now we have reached a point where having those three starting isn't as a effective as it might have been last season.

Dunno if it's just me but feel like Spurs will be fine if Solanke gets back playing regularly and few other injuries clear up (Kulesevski, Madison, Udogie) Fans and media are so hysterically over the top most of the time and just want to hound people out. Dreading this place once we inevitably lose a chunk of our horrible run of fixtures on the horizon.

I think Howe will freshen up the side a little here. Not what I would go for but this is what I think he will play. Think he might go Pope Trippier Thiaw Botman Hall Bruno Miley/Ramsey Joelinton Elanga Gordon Wissa Think he'll keep Tonali as a defensive sub if we need to see out the game and Barnes as his impact sub if we need a goal. He won't leave out Joelinton as he trusts him and likes his defensive height. But think he will want Ramsey or Miley in there. Personally I'd probably have Gordon as the impact sub not Barnes as if we're winning his pace could be more useful against tiring legs. But history tells us it will be Barnes benched.

Just mentioned it in another thread but I'd start him tomorrow. He's been absolutely tragic and barely resembled a footballer for months. But he wasn't that bad at the start of the season, just lacked finishing ability. But his pace was causing havoc I seem to remember in certain games, particularly the CL games. It's not worked at all bringing him on late in matches so might aswell start him and let him play himself into form. Saves Gordon or Barnes as the more impactful sub and means they play on their preferred side on the left.

I had visions then of Elanga recreating the Torres against Barcelona for Chelsea moment when they overcomitted in that semi final 2012? Only in this vision Elanga raced clear and then miscontrolled the ball and fell over. Honestly wouldn't even back him to score an open goal at this moment, his confidence is shot and he barely resembles a footballer. Having said all that. I think I'd start him tomorrow night. Only way he's gonna get better is playing games and it's not working having him come off the bench so may aswell chuck him in from the begining.

Shows how important he timing of games in a season can be. If we were playing them after these two demoralising defeats and instead of 48 hours after playing a grueling 120+mins and when they had just had a training match against Exeter then I think that first leg goes very differently.

First time ever hearing this joke

Been very noticeable. Something Barnes does alot more, likely as he isn't as confident taking on full backs so looks to link more. So it's something Gordon should be doing also because it will only add to the variety and help him cause more problems for defenders. I feel he looks at his best when he moves inside and plays quick one twos with people and drives into dangerous areas. We used to see it a lot but now he just drifts wide. Slows the game down and tries to knock it and run with varying degrees of success. Often with Hall stood waiting for a pass the whole time. It's clear he and Hall don't have strong chemistry and it's a shame because they both could be so dangerous together if they combined better.

Think it's been clear for some time that the Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton midfield doesn't work. It may have done for a period. But things change, like Joelintons injuries catching up with him, and not having a unique and mobile deadly striker like Isak up top. When we set up with those three we just don't have enough technical ability in the side and also lack abit of dynamism. Bruno is doing all of our creative forward passes. Tonali has pace but is not an attacking player generally. I think this is hurting Nick, aswell as they way we are setting up our wingers. He takes some blame like not being on the end of some things he should and sometimes not being stronger but those things will develop with experience hopefully.

Something mentioned on previous pages suggested it's the way we set up that is hampering Gordon. Whilst I don't want to defend the way we set up as it's clearly not working efficiently this season, but I don't think it can be used as a bail out for Gordon. If that were the case then Barnes wouldn't have had the joy he has when playing on the left. Said it last week but that lovely link up between Barnes and Woltemade for the Bournemouth goal down the left was something we just never see from Gordon anymore. He's started putting in some better crosses in recent weeks. But in terms of being a direct threat that drives towards goal, links with others, and gets shots on target, we just haven't seen it at all from him.

Feel like Oscar Bobb has been living off that late winning goal he scored against us. I imagine alot of fans won't have actually watched him that much, especially since he got the broken leg and was out for ages.

We weren't going away to PSG and getting anything based on our away form this season anyways, whether they rested players or not. We just need to win tomorrow and then see who we draw for the play off.

But that trx guy said he wasn't really injured and Eddie purposely wasn't playing him because he doesn't like him?

Did anyone see the two misses when the camera was on him for the warm up. Was abit concerning I'll be honest. Once I could understand but he blazed a second over from close range again and didn't give me confidence for the game. Echo others, system we play doesn't suit him. However for the first time I have been disappointed with some of his play in recent games. Just basics like heading timing, and getting a shot away. You hope can be coached and improved on.