Parsley

3 hours ago, Froggy said:

 

Like we were with Wilcox and Berrada. Looks like everyone is doing quick business, just one club sticking out at the minute. 

 

 

 

https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/02/southampton-furious-man-utd-block-jason-wilcox-move-2025-20571526/ - Doesn't sound as if the Wilcox move was conducted particularly amicably. 

Suspect this is coming from Man Utd rather than Ashworth. 

22 minutes ago, Froggy said:

 

Hojlund is 3 years younger and already has more goals in his first season than Isak did.

 

Hold that L for sure man.

That's quite a misleading use of statistics. Isak scored more in the league last season than Hojlund has this in less appearances. 5 of Hojlund's goals this season have also come in Europe; Isak obviously didn't play in Europe last season. 

Age gap granted but it doesn't seem a fair or accurate comparison really. 

2 minutes ago, Joelinton7 said:

Tielemans can really hit them sometimes

He's been really good today. Physical limitations were discussed at length in the summer but he's a lovely passer of a football. 

21 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

What will be our starting eleven?

Gordon and Willock will be in for Barnes and Anderson I suspect, as Howe seems to be managing their minutes carefully. Hoping that Hall retains his place, and ideally would see Gordon and Barnes start together. 

Just now, NSG said:

Rumour has it MoTD want him but all he wants to do is NUFC.

Controversially, I thought Darren Fletcher was great for the winner. 

1 hour ago, Tsunami said:

He’s not particularly quick or skilful, doesn’t hit the line and put crosses in. He does make fantastic runs for others to pick and he’s a finisher. It’s almost like he shouldn’t play on the wing, never going to be a centre forward, not going to play off a centre forward either. He’s a bit of a one off in what he offers. 

I know what you're saying, but outside of probably Isak there is no other player capable of that shimmy and shot for the winner in the side currently. It was pure clutch. 

Just now, joeyt said:

Garnacho is really really good

He's been excellent. Absolute workhorse as well. 

32 minutes ago, Sibierski said:

How do we ease him in like this? Basically only play him when we’re 2+ behind in league games? Can’t see him coming on if we’re one ahead. 
 

Unless we’re 3+ ahead in a game, I’d be surprised if we see him feature meaningfully in the league. For some reason or another, it’s been set his minutes and it’s a case of wait till next season to see what happens.

I think this is exactly why he hasn't featured much to date. I'd like to think if we'd been 2/3 goals on up on more occasions this season, he'd have featured much more and, with every positive cameo, played his way closer to a start. Sadly, those situations have been few and far between; with results being more precarious, Howe's stuck to what he knows (which I understand). 

Disappointing to not see him feature more given the fee but I'm also not overly concerned - confident that Howe rates him and we'll see much more of him next season. A full pre-season under Howe will do him wonders. 

Ait-Nouri is class. 

Once Willock's fully match fit, we'll hopefully see Longstaff rotate more with Miley. Until that point, I can understand Howe's rationale. 

21 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Can Ross Barkley play his way into the squad... and team?

 

 

He should be in the mix but reckon Curtis Jones will get the nod - similar profile, career on the rise, decent season etc. 

Tonali has to start when he's back IMO. He's the only midfielder we have who's shown signs of being able to slow down play and control the ball. While I don't think he can viably play Bruno's position long term, he'll be able to slot in midgame and give us options that the two Joes wouldn't. 

3 minutes ago, TRon said:

Does anyone still think centre midfield is a priority for the summer? We'll have Tonali back, as well as Joelinton , Willock and Anderson. For me a striker alternative for Wilson should now be the main target, with RW and a Schar understudy next on the list.

Need some cover for Bruno at the very least, potentially a replacement as well if he leaves in the summer. The left and right-sided slots aren't as much of a priority though, agreed. 

3 hours ago, janpawel said:

Pretty sure villa normally batter Brighton. 

 

Seems to be a triangle between the 3 teams as we always struggle against Brighton 

Brighton away has become a bit of a bogey fixture, for sure. We've beaten them at home in the last 2 meetings though. 

5 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

TBF I don't think this game was the one to blow a team away and show a reaction to Arsenal. The opponents weren't a pushover, they smelled blood, had no pressure on them and obviously believed an upset was on the cards.  

 

A better performance would have been great obviously.

 

 

 

With the benefit of hindsight, I think this is probably accurate. 

Thought he was much sharper than Willock and Longstaff on the ball. 

I see his best position as Bruno's role in our current system. He's not naturally attack-minded enough to be a long-term option in the left-sided role IMO. 

To be fair, if Lascelles doesn't drop that clanger, I think we see the game out comfortably and probably grab another goal. Momentum was well with us at that point after the triple sub. 

2 minutes ago, Displayname said:

Dont think it was undeserved overall, ended up getting some really decent chances ourselves. 

We missed a host of gilt-edged chances and gifted them a goal, could've had absolutely no complaints if we went out. 

Lacking sharpness and looks low on confidence. Won't be displacing Gordon any time soon on tonight's showing. 

Longstaff desperately needs a rest. 

1 minute ago, Sempiternal said:

I genuinely thought that was handball by the look on the Blackburn players face after, looked worried as fuck 

If it doesn't hit his arm, it hits his chest I think. 

Better from Barnes. 

Honestly, we deserve to go out after this nonsense.