ExiledGeordie

When push comes to shove I’d rather have Bruno playing than Pope if one was going to miss out.

I think Liverpool might nip in a take 4th but that’s not at all me throwing the towel in. They just have a better squads and we’re relying on everyone staying fit. I do think win or lose we’ll re focus on the league. I think there’s an argument Targett coming back in to freshen our play up and an extended run in the team together for Bruno, Gordon, Isak could see us pick up again. Either way it’s still been a great season and I wouldn’t be crying if we finish 5th or 6th. Be disappointing to miss 4th but the league is 38 games not 19 and you have to maintain form right the way through. I think too many were possibly assuming we’d get 4th.

Looks like he’s coming into the kind of form to cause teams all sorts of problems. He’ll be a massive threat for us at the weekend.

Yes Maddison does seem like a good fit but agreed he’ll have plenty of clubs after him so hardly a forgone conclusion he arrives. He’d give us that extra creativity and playing with Bruno we’d really be able to open teams up vs a low block. I love Miggy and it feels weird saying this as he’s scored what 10 goals but I think we can improve in the wing department in terms of finishing.

For me the atmosphere is always miles better in the Gallowgate vs the Leazes. Whether that’s due to the roof, Strawberry corner etc? Just always feels miles better.

The mad lapses in defending aside I really do think we need to add better finishers in the summer. We just aren’t clinical enough still and lack a goal threat particularly in big games against the top 6. Isak will get more goals and Wilson will score but we need a genuine goal threat from midfield and a ruthless finisher on the wing. Really feel for Pope the bloke will be in bits today.

Has looked really solid today

Yeah I think things will settle down again after the final and we’ll be fine to some extent. Whether we get top four though, tough to say.

Yes gutted for him, totally lost his head. Christ he won’t sleep for a week after that.

I think they’re often worse than Man United fans

I agree. In Bruno, Isak, Wilson, Joelinton we’ve got the players to hurt them though. It’ll be a tight game I think, a 2-1 or 3-2

Sir Bobby celebration, will be an emotional afternoon. We can definitely best them but they’re getting players back and some form unfortunately. Isak could be our weapon though, tailor made to have a go at that shaky defence.

We’ll probably need potentially 4 new starters plus some other quality squad additions. So we’ll have to spread the £££ on signings insofar as several 35-50m range players. We might go up To 60m max for an attacker I guess.

In some ways I’m actually glad we’re playing a decent side before the cup final. We’ll have to significantly raise our game on Saturday but Liverpool still aren’t great at the back and can easily be got at in midfield. They are looking a bit sharper though and dangerous on the counter attack. The main concern is our injuries and how that effects is. You’d imagine Willock is out so Gordon will come in and maybe Howe switches to a 4 2 3 1. Crowd will be key in sat.

Fucking hate Liverpool like

Yeah I thought Everton would really have a go tonight.

Everton have been shocking tonight

Yeah Howe is going to have to try something different to address these draws.

That was a good cross from Shaw, had far too much space initially though. Rashford is a problem for us in the final, red hot form

Thiago out with injury for them

Yeah he was totally isolated

A frustrating performance and result but in our dip we still aren’t losing. A few players look a big jaded E.g Burn and we’re lacking a bit of rhythm in our play but we weren’t terrible yesterday. Disjointed and frustrating though yes. I don’t doubt the cup is playing on our minds too though. To give some perspective Spurs who have much greater depth squad wise got mullered 4-1 by Leicester yesterday.

Leggy and misfiring, disappointing

I’d be amazed if we didn’t expand the Gallowgate with another tier as they’ve said they want to stay at St James and now own Strawberry place again. I know there’s clearly structural issues with the metro etc but with modern technology and architecture I’m sure it can be done. Wild guess but I imagine they’ve already got a pretty good idea what they’re able to do re expansion and will undoubtedly have spoken to architects. My personal opinion is the benefits outweighs the negatives of staying at St James re atmosphere and location. Another 10-12k seats gives plenty opportunity for more season tickets and plenty member/ballot options. Plus if the extension was similar to current set up you’ll have another two rows of boxes for corporate stuff. Match going traffick numbers wise doesn’t actually bring in that much revenue vs premier league tv money so I think 62-65k is sufficient for an expansion if it can be done.

Wilson has been class and Howe has a great relationship with him. I do feel that if we continue stuttering with draws/missing chances and as we go deeper into the season Isak is going to start getting more starts. I also feel at this point that in a one off game such as the cup final Isak could be more of a match winner for us.