alexf

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.

Yeah not one attacking change we can make from the bench is difficult.

I think based off of Isak and Wilson's injury record this season, a new striker who can play across the front line if needed, would be more essential than a midfielder. If we can afford both, great.

For the 100m Brentford want? No thanks.

Ben Mee is a fucking idiot. Was no need for that tackle at all. Brentford looked good defensively and seemed like they were going to see this out. Now Villa are gonna win. Ugh.

How is he complaining that they were the same? One is his player stopping a dangerous counter attack. The other is his player getting pulled going back towards his own goal in his own half. Guy is a clown.

That turn of pace is such an asset. The way he burnt past someone in the 2nd half to get into the box was really exciting. Seems to be growing in confidence with his attacking play.

Well played Krafty. Makes me think in certain easier home games we could rotate Tripps abit more or perhaps atleast sub him if we are winning. Obviously Tino would play there ahead of him still but Tino is so good compared to our other left backs that we can't really move him.

I'd completely forgotten about those forward passes. In my mind with how long he's been out, it was always Schar playing them but man he makes a huge difference. Really hope he stays fit now for the remainder. Was good to be able to ease him back in. Wonder if he's fit enough to come in against Chelsea or if hey hold him back abit longer.

That was quite an impressive 2nd half showing. Almost like he took it upon himself to ensure the result. Which is what all the top players do.

Just cannot see a win today. They have decent players throughout the team who are in-form and considerably fresher and well-rested compared with ours. Would take a real top performance from us today I feel and would need someone like Isak to return to form.

Can see another defeat here unfortunately. They will be fresh and in great form. We look out on our feet. No Trippier and couple more walking wounded potentially tonight.

Phillips I have only seen start twice this season, once away to us and once for England. Both times he looked miles off it physically. Obviously his fitness and sharpness could be improved but how long would it take and would we see the benefit of that before the season ends? Also he used to have bad injuries problems towards end of his time at Leeds. Feels highly likely that once he is playing week in week out, especially if he was being asked to play Howe's intense press, his body may let him down again. Feels like there maybe would be better options out there for short term til the summer but wait and see. It's likely lazy made up journalism anyways.

That Fulham home game is no longer looking like a break from the tough fixtures. Neither is Luton away. Small things in seasons can make a massive difference to your final placing. Like for example if we had played those fixtures earlier in the season, when both were really struggling and we had fresh legs, they would be as close to a sure 3 points as you could ask. Same as Villa got to play Man City when they were out of form and missing key players for example. You just know when we play them they will have a fresh fully fit De Bruyne among others. Hopefully we can get some momentum back later in the season.

It must be what alot of clubs felt watching us last season. If it didn't directly potentially impact on our success I would probably be enjoying Villa disrupting the top 4 like we were. Just feels frustrating that , but for injuries, we would be in amongst it still.