alexf

I think he came out with the intention to test it by running it off as it happened so close to half time. But I think he knew straight away from the look on his face and would have come off regardless of the goal. However I do hope I am wrong and you are right. But if he has any sort of issue, would the sensible thing be to let him recover to avoid potentially reoccurrence once again and then get him back fit and ready for the Villa game which maybe more winnable than this?

I know we have other quality players with potential to improve further (Isak, Botman, Gordon etc) But for me Bruno is the main difference between us being a top 6 squad and a top 12 (mixed in with the likes of (Wolves, Bournemouth etc) I know he lacks the athleticism to be in the real top tier level but he's got something about him that makes him shine ahead of alot of the other clubs. He can find passes and control games when he's on form better than most in this league. He has just suffered a little this year by not having our strong players available with him. If we did decide to sell him, we could easily fall back into the pack we find ourselves with currently, rather than pushing the top 4 again next year.

All depends on players returning and our form and fitness improving. Which are all possible. But right now I can easily see us going to places like Forrest away and losing. But if we get (most importantly for me) Willock back and then possibly Barnes and Murphy to help freshen up the wings. We could build up a lovely bit of momentum. However, we still only have Isak currently available as a fit striker and with Joelinton season being so stop start aswell. I just don't feel as confident as I did before that we finish the season as strong as we will need to make up for our awful recent run.

Some strange backing off by our Cb's for the two shots they had 2nd half. Not sure what's going on there. Also Burn just feels like watching such and oil tanker out there at the moment. I really feel Tino needs to be first choice left back now. Lots of people felt Man U at home was one of our strongest performances this season and that was with Tino marauding down the left. Not to mention his excellent defensive 1v1 work.

So typical that we play them now they have De Bruyne, Doku and probably Haaland back. Not that I thought we would win anyways. We were bit more like our old energetic selves but we still didn't look great and would need to be at full strength squad wise and firing on all cylinders to get something here. Hopefully Tino starts ahead of Burn and Joelinton is fit.

Utterly dominate but would be worried bout Joelinton getting injured here. He's been a stand out here and we need him going forward. Longstaff and Miley together doesn't work.

Ritchie not deemed good enough to start even in that squad 4 years ago. Says a lot about the predicament we have found ourselves in this season that he has started games.

Playing with zero confidence it looks like. Scared to misplace a pass etc. Not what you want for a young player. You want them to be confident and daring to try things others might not. Feel sorry for him. Just hasn't worked so far. Do feel Eddie has picked the wrong moments to use him/not use him.

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.