ponsaelius

The fixtures have seemed particularly brutal just because of how hard our cup draws have been. The next five league games aren't too bad as a group, tbf.

Pope is a lot better than Dubs mind, especially the 2023 version of Dubs. That being said when he came in against Man United in the cup it was really noticeable how much better we were playing it out from the back. Together with Tino being in at full back we might be able to compensate somewhat with a bit more control in games.

Yeah but it can also be a drag if you get a few knocked out as it's an average not a total. Spain losing Osasuna in qualifying will significantly impact their average for example this year.

I don't think UEFA website is up to date (or at least for some reason doesn't give an accurate reflection of the state of play). This is best site for tracking coefficients up to date: https://kassiesa.net/uefa/data/method5/ccoef2024.html We're currently 2nd - but any of the big four could get it probably. All depends on who can stay in Europe in any form as getting knocked out altogether can be a drag on the average later in the season. Edit: I have worked out why UEFA website isn't 100% up to date. It hasn't yet factored in the bonus points for getting out of CL group stages (other countries have all had the 5 points each added on where they're through on the other website). Belgium won't get any of these. So the above website is a much more accurate reflection of the current state of play (and likelihood of which countries have a chance of being top two).

What are you basing that on? Only two countries get the extra place so it's very much up in the air still. It's pretty important that both us and Man United make at least the Europa League if we are hoping for 5th to be worth a CL place. If we were both to go out altogether it would drag the league average down over the rest of the season.

Reckon the bizzies will allow the 15% allocation? 6000 away fans lol.

Last time they did that everybody was on the piss by 8am tho it always has the opposite effect.

The draws this season man. What I'd have given for some absolute shite at home so we could rotate FFS.

I thought Mbappe was very good on Tuesday mind.

I know it's not science but they had 9 big chances according to my scores app which is definitely the most I've ever seen. We definitely rode our luck for large parts which is why I'm not too disappointed, despite the blatant robbery of that decision.

I was in the home end and it was a weird mix tbh. I thought their ultras were very good from the off and kept at it most of the game. Where I was sitting was in a much less intense area of the ground, but the support was still decent. Fans were stood up for a large part of the game (this would never happen at SJP), and reacted well after our goal to try and get behind the team (as if needing to respond). On the flip side of this there was also a very clear mix of hardcore support and a touristy element in together from ticket reselling - of which we were obviously contributing to. I could imagine pre-Qatar that there would have been a much more authentic feel to visiting the Parc de Princes - although the team would have been a lot shitter. The weirdest thing was definitely the bloke on the PA trying to jee up the crowd in the second half. I don't think I've ever seen that at a match. I don't even think it was that necessary either as their support was decentish throughout in the circumstances. Would also say I was right next to the away fans and our lot were good. Probably slightly less merriment beforehand compared to Dortmund and Milan saving some energy for the match.

That was what it was like for Dortmund up there. Only home game I've been to this season and it was completely bizarre. Has put me off applying in subsequent ballots tbh.

Milan have got Francesco Camarda on the bench. Only turned 15 in March, scored against our U19s earlier in the season.

Whoever made the Zanetti comparison is spot on. Obviously a long way to match a player of that level but stylistically extremely similar - especially now I've seen him on the left as well.

Say what you want about our summer window but there's no doubt this lad was an absolutely superb bit if business. Excellent footballer. Looks completely competent at left back too. Literally my only worry with him is if he picks up a recurrence of his injury.

To be honest while I was disappointed with his error for their goal, and I think he had a bit of a ropey game, I really appreciate the way he is trying things which are risky. He will play the pass through the lines, or carry the ball into midfield, even if he's not 100% confident in doing so. It's the reason he's been able to step in so well despite his limitations.

Fair play to these lads. Remarkable stuff in the circumstances.

I don't play any more but felt like a FIFA goal. Holding down that shoot button as you close in.

Was convinced that was Isak

Yeah, very obviously managing all of their running I think. And I think it's the right call.

Joelinton no goals yet this season. Missing chances like that and in Dortmund is fucking criminal mind.

Yeah fuck this season - and sack the medical team.

Also Tonali can get fucked ffs. Can't believe how badly that ban has done us.

To be honest Willock looked unfit against Bournemouth and Longstaff got crocked during the game. I think they both got injured that day.

Also three keepers on the bench is a disgrace, no matter how bad our academy is.