alexf

I know many hoped that by December/January, injuries would ease and fixtures would be more kind. But I said on here awhile ago, I think it was wishful thinking. When others return they are way off match sharpness and fitness and then other players who have been putting the minutes in start breaking down. Plus, it's always the case, players that have disrupted pre-season or long term injuries, then pick up lots of niggles or reocurrences (Willock). I hope owners are patient and understanding because it's going to carry on for awhile longer and we will find ourselves bottom half come February. Never expected the wheels to come off quite this badly. But still hold on to hope that we will have a stronger end to the season, even if it's only enough to get top half. Conference league at this point feels like it would be an achievement and would salvage something from a pretty rough season so far.

The fact we are even talking about having to sell one of our better players just shows what a nightmare FFP is for us and also how much of a backward step this season is having on our overall project. Frustrating. Would really hurt to see any of those 3 mentioned going to one of our rivals, just because they have a head start and can spend whatever they want because of it.

Xg is bullshit. There was very few saves there that I wouldn't expect Dubs to save every time. It was just the sheer volume of shots we allowed that made it look so bad. But our insane decision to back off and give Salah so much time and space especially 2nd half was mind boggling. He's proven what, 6+ years in a row that you give him space he will find a pass or a shot.

Burn and Longstaff after recent performances Would much prefer Krafth to Burn on current form.

Our away form all relies on Willock and Barnes returning for me and then not picking up any other serious injuries. We need more energy and pace for counters.

How about this?? -----------Dubs----------- Tripps-Schar-Botman-Tino -------Miley--Bruno------- Gordon----Isak---Joelinton -----------Wilson---------- Joelinton and Tino down the left to help shut down Salah. Isak in the withdrawn Striker role to be able to get on the ball and cause problems. Miggy to come on fresh 60mins or so to replace Gordon/Isak/wilson if they are tired 2nd half. Could also swap Joelinton and Isak if that midfield two is struggling and make it a 3.

I'm not having that Gordon is in anyway to blame at all. Burn was absolutely horrific for both of those first 2 goals. Slow down the highlights and watch them back. He positions himself right next to Botman unnecessarily and gives Elanga acres, which is ok if you then block the cross but despite a massive head start gets no where near him. Then Schar inexplicably tries to come across when there is no way Elanga can score from that angle unless Dubravka fucks up, and leaves Wood with a tap in. Awful goal to concede. 2nd goal. He is deeper than the rest of his defence for some reason playing Wood on side. Also turns his back on it and loses the path of the ball when he should have easily been favourite to get to the ball first. Backs off something wild of the mighty Chris Wood and proceeds to get turned inside out. He has been awful since being rushed back from injury, just like Longstaff. If either play away to Liverpool, if there are other options available, then I think it's a massive mistake.

Bruno is not a 10 and Willock whilst he drifts wide in moments in games would struggle as an out an out left winger.

Toptenometer

Yep wasnt pulling up trees this season anyway but since returning from injury, has been a competition winner out there. Was awful today. Alongside Burn and Miggy.

Wheels have come off massively now. 6 losses in 7. Defensively all over the place. Clearly Livramento seemed fine when he came on, so to play Burn when you know they have pace down the flanks was suicide. Also Dubravka being glued to his line has been massively effecting our defense. Suddenly out lack of pace looks so much more obvious because he doesn't sweep behind. Tripps was again awful defensively. Every player who attacks him now is getting past at will.

If ever there was a more obvious game we need Tino instead of Burn it's this one. I hope he is carrying a knock because he has to start if fit.

Looks like they have gone with their most athletic and quick players. With the extra physical effort players often put in when they have a new manager, we need to hope we have more quality on the ball than them because I don't think we are in any position to outrun them at the moment.

No options to change out wide again is so frustrating. Miggy and Gordon have looked fucked for ages.

I think he made the tactical when he did because of that whole only allowed so many sub windows etc. He's mentioned it before.

Livramento may need to come in for Burn here. He's such a step up now that we have experienced both.

Needs putting down. The decision to give him a new deal when it was suggested he's essentially backroom staff now was hard enough. But to see him getting substantial minutes this season in crucial games for us is too much. Without even mentioning Hall, there has to be someone in the academy that can atleast run who we should be promoting instead. What happened to that Diallo that was on the bench a few times? We played with 10 men against Man U when he played there and I won't here any different. He got no where near a player or the ball in that game and it was the same thing tonight. To those saying he "did his job". Just rewatch the few minutes leading up to the goal again. Yes it's Trippiers fault ultimately. But Ritchie is no where near closing down the crosses from that side at any point. It reminds me of that famous Ali dia video where he is running around like a competition winner never getting close to the ball or the opposition.

Yeah he's clearly head and shoulders above Longstaff with the ball already. When Longstaff is fit and healthy he's proved very useful in Howes system and clearly does as he's instructed and runs channels on that right side really well. However he's returning from injury and doesn't have his usual engine at the mo. Feels like he just constantly flops to the floor looking for a soft free-kick and never gets it. Once Miley continues to develop physically you can see he's gonna be a much more capable player.

Looked like a nasty twist to the left ankle. He was hobbling the whole game and then maybe the half time break made it even worse. Be astounded if he's back at the weekend. First time I have questioned Howe's decisions really. First leaving a clearly injured player on, I don't care how talented they are, if they are struggling to put weight on one foot and can't run then they are no good to anyone. I know we only had defenders on the bench but Christ we weren't attacking anyways 2nd half so just throw Murphy or Dummett on and help double up at left back. Then there was the Ritchie over Hall decision which would need some serious explaining before I could ever wrap my head around it. If there are other factors in play then just say it, but to not be using someone whose best attributes could have helped us see out that game is really bizarre.

It's 3 days away and the players looked absolutely dead out there tonight and we picking up a couple more injuries atleast. Not to mention Luton have been steadily improving at home since Townsend and Barkley came into the team. Yes they had a traumatic moment happen last weekend but you could also look at it as they have had a full week off, they didn't play a full game at the weekend either. By latest news, their captain has survived and is recovering and they will be buoyed by that and will be extra motivated to put in a strong performance. Not saying we can't win. But unless we get a few players back in then our squad is on its arse. Asking Wilson to play again is just asking for trouble.

Would be surprised if local journos don't start pressing Howe on what's going on with Hall more now. He has seemed abit off every time he's ever been mentioned.

Would desperately depend on Isak, Joelinton and Gordon all being passed fit. Without them, then it will be a repeat of the Bournemouth game.

I don't think he would have started if the plan was to take him off at 45.

Never been more convinced we are trying to avoid signing him? How in the world he doesn't get on ahead of Ritchie is bonkers.

Why is Hall not coming on before Ritchie FFS, the guy can't run. About 3 crosses that should have been closed down before the goal that he got nowhere near closing down. However Tripps has made so many costly errors recently. Hurts so much more that we potentially picked up 3 more injuries tonight, players all physically and mentally fucked and we got nothing for it.