ExiledGeordie

He might have to start trying something different with Targett soon if our indifferent form continues.

Agreed. He’s starting to show his form but if they didn’t already try and sign him why would they now and as you say for more money. Maddison if we can get him seeds the ideal player with a number 6 to take us forward.

Totally agree, recent months and the cup final show how much we’re still lacking quality and depth. Summer will be a big squad change imo, loads of dead wood out clearing the wage bill and genuine quality brought in. There could and probably should be at least 3 new potential starters at the start of next season imo (LB, number 6 type player, new winger off the top of my head as a starter). I wonder if there’s further change in the striking department too.

Yep things definitely need freshening up. I actually think we’ll settle down in the league ok now the cup is out the way as I think it’s been a major distraction combined with form dipping. Tough match this though.

Yeah there’s just no sharpness at all. Combination of illness and managing injuries impacting his training time but that raises major questions moving forward.

Lest be honest too, the premier league wages table tells you a lot about where both teams are and the options available.

Im indifferent on ASM, I’m not a huge fan but I’m also not someone who rails against him but I agree his hit and miss performances/end product is an issue. He is one of the few players who can create focus though. Ultimately I think we’ll invest heavily in the final 3rd in the summer and he’ll become part of the squad and far from guaranteed starter. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he moves on in the summer though.

Yeah that’s all excellent analysis. I didn’t think we were too bad yesterday but just lacked quality in final 3rd. There’s an argument and genuine possibility that none of the front 3 will start next season. Like he says in the analysis I think the game will prove as a major indicator for squad development. So many players need moving on and genuine quality brought in in the summer. Team has done great this season just dipped form wise and run out of steam at the wrong time for the cup. Onwards and upwards.

He’d be far more effective with a proper left back on his side but I thought he did really well in the main. Ok he gave away some sloppy passes but he was the only one other than Bruno who looked like creating anything as we were going to get nowt from Miggy or Wilson.

Watching at home with a few beers

Great athlete, bog standard defender

Yep, we just aren’t clinical enough in front of goal

??

Top four isn’t gone. Granted it’ll be hard but it isn’t gone ffs.

Their defence can definitely be got at

I think the club were/are aware of the opportunity to finish 4th this season. Regarding January my guess is the players they wanted weren’t available or they were being quoted absurd prices. In an ideal world players other than Gordon would’ve come in but I imagine they’d have solid reasons why further signings didn’t happen. I don’t think they’ve just thought “let’s chance it”. FFP is an issue they have to be mindful of too.

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.