alexf

I do think the wheels are coming off ever so slightly with this thin squad and it's going to get more and more noticeable. Despite the injuries to forward players I think we have still been lucky with injuries so far this season, especially the midfield and defence when you compare to some other teams. Last night was also our first red card of the season. These things happen over the course of a long season and that's why you need depth to compete at the top. Fingers crossed we can adapt and find ways to win without Bruno etc but for the first time I can see signs of us having a wobble. Still, were in a final ☺️

The link up play from Joelinton and Willock for the second was fantastic. One of the best team goals we have scored for a long time.

Wondering too.

Picked a good time to finally keep his shots hard and low. Well done lad.

Same

Have to say, no idea why they don't start that Lavia. Looked class when he came on.

Lack of game for 3 weeks will be a kicker for match sharpness aswell. Assume he can play in behind closed doors games for fitness maybe.

So chuffed to be in the final. We seemed to get really nervy as soon as we conceded a goal. Must be a shock for this team to lose a goal and then 2nd half we never got going. Bit worrying if the nerves get to the lads in the final. Some of that Man U team have got alot of finals experience. The Bruno thing put abit of a dampener on it, first of all cus I thought he was out of the final but then that he is missing 3 league games, which I would probably still take over him missing the final but still a kick to the nads. Well done though boys. Fingers crossed for the final.

"Straight red cards for dissent will result in a two-match ban, while dangerous tackles or violent conduct will result in a three-match ban which can be raised to four or more games in extreme cases"

Missing 3 games is fucking tragic. However it's not as bad as I was thinking he was out of the final. But fuck man, he is the one player we just can't afford to lose. Gutted. 3 games for a slight mistimed tackle seems incredibly harsh. You could see the lad turned his foot at the last second which caused the contact.

I was thinking Isak to start but then in the presser Howe said this week is the first time Wilson has trained as normal since the world cup so perhaps he will want to stick with him.

Yeah none of the other midfielders at the club are suited to the deepest of the 3 role and picking it up off the centerbacks. So a injury to Bruno means a complete formation/system change, and considering the current system has served us so well, it has to be considered not ideal to be forced to move away from it. Not to mention, lack of options also means less subs when wanting to rest people like Bruno when we are ahead in games etc

Ergh was hoping Man U weren't going to have time to get a Eriksen replacement ?

I think he's on loan there this year aswell right? Loan with option/obligation.

Confident of the win but the way we have been infront of goal lately it could get nervy if we struggle to score. Hoping for ASM or Isak, or both in from the start. Other concern is injuries/red cards. That CB that we ripped the piss out of is back and may wana plant one on Bruno for revenge or whatever. I'm also a massive worst case scenario worrier. So disregard the above ?

say the line Romano...

My concern is that, other than Bruno, there is no one at the club that can play the deepest of the 3 mids in our current formation. Longstaff has before but the only time he looks of any use is further forward in his new high press position he has done this year. Each time he played deep in the cups he looked awful I thought. So I was convinced a DM was going to be number 1 priority this window. The fact we are letting Shelvey go just before he returns from injury seems like we are tempting fate. I know the club have their policy it seems but I wouldn't mind a stop gap body just to boost the numbers through til the summer. A loan would be ideal if we could land someone half decent.

What is the punishment for breaching ffp anyways, transfer ban? My theory was there was a pot of dodgy money involved in this takeover and let's say they had 12 months to spend a billion. I could imagine they would happily take the the hit of a 1 or 2 year transfer ban if it meant hoovering up most of Europe's top talent like they seem to be. Only surprise is that they didn't get a name striker in this window but they have Nkunku coming in the summer.

I mean De Bruyne and Salah were Chelsea cast offs technically. Sometimes there's gems to be found in chaotic clubs letting talent slip through the cracks.

I know it sounds silly but I'l think I'd genuinely be disappointed if it was us bidding £105m+ for Enzo Fernandez. Prices are just getting crazy. Even the Gordon price leaves me feeling there is better value out there for less. Perhaps it's cus I'm a frugal person generally but I just think finding players and developing them into high value assets is more enjoyable than paying ridiculous sums for players other clubs spotted first less that 12 months earlier for a fraction of their price. Enzo and Caicedo perfect examples.

On the provision we do replace before he goes. Anything that speeds up the transition of replacing the old guard who are proven not good enough for where we are going (Shelvey, Fraser, Wood, Murphy etc), with new and exciting talent, is fine by me.

Didn't he literally say something like "Southampton have more middle class kids" and "We have to put more intelligence into our players" the cheek coming from that simpleton. Those were the days eh.

Alright Pards

I wonder if he would be considered for the right side Longstaff high press role or just only as an out and out winger? I know that sounds silly, but he's raw enough for us all to be questioning the price tag and ability, so perhaps Eddie sees certain attributes that will suit the team in a position we haven't considered. Otherwise I don't see a better player than Almiron and ASM, obviously long term the potential is there but he's not at the level yet and seems strange to spend £40m+ on Murphy upgrade essentially. Time will tell.

Yeah main difference is loads of chances have fallen to Longstaff or Joelinton and they have been missing alot of simple ones lately. Whereas before Wilson was in form, Almiron was scoring everything he touched and Willock also was more useful. But yeah time for fresh faces in the attack. I feel ASM and Isak will take us to another level and we just need to adapt the rest of the tactics around it to ensure were still solid defensively. As mentioned before ASM has an up side for defense also in that he pushes fullbacks back. Same way Rashford doesn't defend much but he would ensure Trippier can't roam forward much if we play them soon etc.