The Prophet

Also Hall is fucking class. Hope he's here for years.

The fact that a few (and it is a minority) immediately leapt on Thiaw last night, have downplayed Ramsey’s recent form and can't just say "well played" when Elanga has a good game is very telling.

The gap between the midfield and defence is one of those things (like the previous creativity stuff) that's massively overegged. I agree it has been a problem for us in past seasons and it has reared it's head again at times this season, particularly when the midfield flattens out, with Bruno and Tonali taking up similar positions. Quality players will take up positions between the lines though, that's one of the reasons they're playing for Barcelona, City, etc. You can shut off the passing lanes or track the runner, but sometimes the pass into them is too good, or the tracking player has just sprinted 50 yards due to a hospital pass from his team mate, it happens.

It's every time we play a "big team" at this point. Chelsea, PSG, Man United, City, Barca. Every fucking time.

It's not really an issue here though, the shape is fine.

That's why I feel the approach was correct to go for the second.

For me, he's far more culpable for the goal than Thiaw. So many easy balls available to him to retain possession, it's just really poor decision making.

Maybe it's his fault we keep on conceding goals, maybe it's the subpar goal keepers, or the ageing right back, or the lads in front of him who can't hang onto the ball with seconds to go.

There were a couple of excellent deliveries in the first half that Osula simply didn't attack well enough. He was aggressive and forced Cancelo back all game, which Murphy wouldn't do.

He's Tonali's man, but Sandro has just ran back from the opponents half following the misplaced Gordon pass, which was probably the bigger issue.

The social media debate "you're an inch into your ma, but your da is an inch into you, do you go forwards or backwards?" feels a lot like the Tudor v Kinnear comparison.

He's been brilliant of late.

Thought be had a poor game overall, but is always in the game due to his clinical finishing.

Some of Barca's last ditch defending was frustratingly good mind.

How good is Alvarez by the way?

Thought he was excellent off the ball, but very sloppy on it.

They need a bounce of sorts or they're going down. Tudor is about as inspiring as a beige radiator.

It wasn't, but there's still a decent gulf between the sides.

I don't even think it's an "error" as such. He's one on one with a technically superior attacker who does him with a quality bit of skill. If he doesn't dangle the leg and Olmo bends it in the corner he gets criticised too.

Not that many?

Watching the penalty incident, it's not as bad as I thought. We're in shape, they just manage to get the ball to Olmo who does Thiaw with a lovely bit of skill.

From PSG onwards he's been class.

Granted we were naive at the end, where was the whistle?

Played really well there. Sucker punch at the end, but don't see why we can't give them a game at their place.

Harsh to blame him. He shouldn't be in that position to begin with and is done with a lovely bit of play.