alexf

Hope he plays...will be miles off the pace having been out so long.

We were definitely in our best moment of the season in that game. Everything was clicking and all the important players were fit and healthy. Was also the early stages still of the midfield 3 set up in the new positions and teams weren't quite sure how to deal with it. It was also around the time we started a pattern of getting a head and then seemingly slowing down in 2nd halves. Still not sure how much of it was conserving energy or if we were just running out of gas and losing control of games a little bit. To be fair to him, Mainoo made a big difference when he came on. But we have seen out leads pretty comfortably this season so you have to give Howe some credit and assume it was mostly by design.

system will likely depend on fitness of a few. If Trippier is fit for example I think he will go back to standard back 4. Likewise if Joelinton is available. If not then I can imagine he would rather have more of our better players on the pitch than not. Basically preferring to play Botman over having an extra in midfield like Miley or Willock and having Murphy at RWB over Krafth at RB.

Isn't this year the first time in a long time that champions league teams haven't dropped into it? So you can't compare winning it now being of equal achievement as previous years. Anyways, you still need to beat spurs first. (You will )

Good to see kit design has moved on in the last 10-15 years

And run the risk of them and Isak breaking down in game or not being able to give 100%? I can understand Isak but I don't think we can carry more than one. Everton aren't amazing but we need to show them respect. The other 10 + Isak should get the job done. If Joelinton and Trippier are fit enough to be involved great but I wouldn't take too many risks when we shouldn't be that desperate.

The club that claimed they were at risk of running out of money unless they scrapped free lunches for staff etc. About to spend over £200m on new players atleast + £2billion on a new stadium.

Feel like the media overate Lewis-Skelly a little bit. Certainly in the sense they are talking about him cementing the England place now for years to come and it's like everyone forgot how good a season Lewis Hall was having before his injury.

Would love one of those first half blitz where we score 3-4 in quick succession. Kind of requires a firing Isak for that however.

It's annoying because I think he improves them a lot. So it's a sign they are improving in the market. He's a top 4 player for me that wouldn't look out of place at any of the top teams. So feels bit of a shame he's going to Man U. Just proves once again that it doesn't matter how shit they are, they will always be able to spend and attract.

I think it's a big ask. We might be able to add a few new players but we won't be able to solve our depth issues all in one summer, and with being hopefully back in champions league next year, we already know the strain that puts on our squad from last year. And as mentioned above, the cartel clubs will all go big once again in the summer. So the ability to close that gap is so difficult because these other teams aren't standing still allowing us to catch up, and worse, are hoovering up all the best talent that would have helped us take that step forward.

For me I think it's just that we had the fixtures to have this wrapped up before the final day, but now there is jeopardy. Because like a cup final, in a one off game anything can happen, a sending off, injuries, a bad ref decision, or simply just having a off day. So it would be gutting that for weeks it felt like we had this under control and then let it slip at the last hurdle. Doesn't undermine the cup win or anything like that but would just be a really sour note to end on, on what could and should be the greatest season that I have seen in my lifetime. A cup win and CL qualification would have to surpass anything I have witnessed so far. But have to remember that we were having a pretty average season up until that long winning run we went on. So if you had told me back in February or whatever that we would have won a cup and be one home game against Everton away from securing champions league football again, I'd have snapped your hands off.

Players can get stale or pick up too many injuries that diminish their output. It's why I get a little envious when a see how quickly Villa churn through players. Sure ok they had the academy and head start on us to be able to sell better, but they don't seem to mess around with getting players in and out and have decent squad depth overall now. Really hope we can win next week and start a bit of a squad refresh this summer with the extra funds.

Started alright for 5 - 10 mins but then faded badly. Not surprising really as it's only his 2nd start this season they said and he's only been getting the odd 15 mins off the bench mostly. But it's been clear ever since last season that the body is done and there isn't a champions league chasing premier quality player left in there. Praying that we can get Isak available for next week. If we can't then I don't think Wilson starting is the best alternative.

Mistake aside he wasnt our worst player. But as mentioned in the Barnes thread, I get in theory why Howe prefers him to start left in a game like this from a defensive view point. However I don't think I saw a great deal of protection for Tino today and in this formation it shouldn't really be as necessary and he has Burn in close proximity to support. I certainly don't get why we can't atleast give Barnes 10 mins or so on his preferred side, especially when we're losing and chasing the game. Just seems so odd that every time Gordon has came on recently and now again that he's starting games, Barnes is always shifted to right. I assume because Howe thinks Barnes is better than Gordon on the right, but I don't feel because Gordon is shitter on the right should be a reason to move our most dangerous left winger out of position.

He looked faster and sharper in his movements when he came on than recently, but his technique is always lacking. Was a really poor effort when he chopped on to his left. Should be the easy answer to slot in for Joelinton on that left side next week of we want to go back to the 433, but the trust is gone with Willock now. I don't know if we can rely on him in such an important game anymore.

The problem with playing Isak and even Joelinton or Trippier if there's a slim chance they can play, is how much will they be able to give if they aren't 100%? We know we can carry Isak as we have done it for weeks and weeks now but maybe anymore would be too risky. Also the possibility one or all breakdown early in the game and then you break rhythm but also waste subs for later. Will be interesting how much Eddie is willing to risk or if he prefers lesser players who can give him 100%.

Wish he'd buried that chance first half. Was an easier chance than the Rice one for them, but he does seem to have an odd ball striking technique and on this occasion it was abit of a tame effort that needed more power and direction. Also thought he delayed too long to pass to Barnes when Osula flicked the reverse pass to him. But yeah overall can't fault the effort he was winning tackles and trying to make things happen for us. Have confidence he won't let us throw away a strong season finish with only one game to go. He'll be leading by example next week and trying to get us over the line.

Was a classic case today of needing to score when you are on top. We didn't score in that period in the first half and you could feel the game slipping away from us. Then they come out 2nd half and dominate the early goings and if we had survived that period we very well might have got a point or better but Gordon made a mistake and Rice does what unfortunately good teams will do to us in the champions league, he smashes a worldie. We made one mistake and paid for it, they made multiple in the first half and got away with it.

We need to do what we do. Work the ball round the sides keep the pressure on and eventually we score at home. Obviously need to be wary of the counter as N'Diaye, McNeil and Beto are all quick, plus Doucoure can be a handful at times. But we normally start fast at home and our record is strong when we get ahead.

I know it's fair to need to win the games you need yourself. But christ, other than maybe that Southampton draw Vs Man City and Leicester getting a draw at Forest, it's felt like all other games that has a baring on us have gone the opposite of what we wanted for weeks now. Fingers crossed for next week. Eddie and the boys deserve CL for the season they have given us and it would be really crushing to fail at the last hurdle.

Said in the match thread but it I was him I'd be annoyed. Outside of Isak he's our most dangerous attacker yet gets shifted to the right everytime Gordon starts or comes on. I wouldn't mind but Gordon has offered nothing recently. I get that maybe he's more defensive but when you're playing 5 at the back already and especially when you go a goal down, just give Barnes a run on the left where he might do some damage. Hopefully he starts back there next week. I'd keep Gordon in reserve as he normally loses his head against Everton.

God I hope Isak plays, otherwise can see a cagey 0:0. We can't seem to play well for a full 90 either. That's twice now we have come out slow in the 2nd half. Gordon is all bluster with no quality at the moment. Need to start with Barnes left, Murphy right and play with speed and intensity and score early. Otherwise it's going to get nervy as hell as Pickford wastes time all game.

I don't get why we never try Barnes on the left when Gordon is playing. Gordon was having a really poor game even before the mistake and yet still plays 90 mins yet Barnes is probably our 2nd most dangerous attacker after Isak gets zero minutes on the left. So strange. Worse yet he brings him off for Willock who then plays wide left even though he's not a winger. I'd be really frustrated if I was Barnes.

Is one negative of this system that Tino is getting into great positions but he's just not natural in his attacking play unless dribbling.