Lush Vlad

I only ever see him on Sky. But it feels like he is playing a character on there. Say the line Roy………. ”THAT’S YOUR JOB.”

I thought he had an up and down ten minutes, then was arguably our best player bar that risky pass. Which was compounded by matey scoring an absolute screamer. If he misses, fuck all gets said. Not sure why he is getting flak. It’s possibly the best I’ve seen him for us and even factoring in the opposition. I think him playing more centrally or in the 6 in our midfield 3 is where his future lies.

Is this some kind of parallel universe? One of the most aggressive, horrible and violent players of my generation. Moaning about Shearer for some ‘sneaky’ elbows. How do people manage to watch or listen to that cunt. If someone disagrees, he responds and argues back like a child. Gets all sarcy, rolls his eyes and does a silly voice to try and mock the other person

Except he couldn’t get past the man mountain that is David Beckham, to hit Shearer.

He played a few that looked like hospital passes, to nobody in particular and just into an area or straight to a Bradford player. Then a black and white shirt would come into shot and he’s picked them out with a perfectly weighted pass. I know it’s against League One opposition. But it was still impressive and he has tried it a good few times in his apps already. I think a quick pass inside started off the move against Barca for Gordon’s goal.

Just came in to say this. I really hope not, as I just don’t like much about it. Our build up and passing out from the back is often a bit lacking. I find it even worse in this setup and not sure going direct will work against Arsenal and with the attacking options we have. I’m also not sure how you work Big Joe in and I think you need him for games like this. Not good enough in a 2 and I don’t think he’d play wide or left/right behind Woltemade. Nor do I think he’d suit that role in this formation.

Urgh. At least we’re at home. Get through this and a good few Prem teams will be out. Wissa’s debut game and a brace I reckon.

BOZO! You’re the bozo mate, if anyone is.

When’s the draw FFS?! I want to go to bed.

I’m overly harsh on him all the while. But he frustrates the life out of me as a player. When he does have the opportunity to play more like a winger. He rarely takes it. He doesn’t look good staying wide and rarely tries to beat his man down the line. Even when he has the beating of him. He looked great drifting off the wing and was heavily involved in a lot of our good play. But his finishing is getting worse over time, somehow. Just snatches at everything and never makes a quality connection. I think for what he is supposedly worth in the market and what we pay him. He flatters to deceive too often and should have far more goal involvements.

Agree on all of this. He does seem to lose his bearings a bit and it was a criticism at Arsenal. Like when he got distracted looking at that pigeon I also don’t think he looks that good on the ball and still has a bit of an awkward touch and style. But in comparison to Pope, he looks like Pirlo in his prime

Back to being our top scorer. He’ll have his uses in cups and to bring some chaos to proceedings now and then off the bench. Looked far better on the right when he had a full back to try and hold off instead of two CB’s. Miles better getting the ball with some time and space, as well. Not sure he’ll ever make it as a lone striker.

Get him a run of games with the lanky German and I think we’ll see how good he is. That front line has been all over the show to start the season off. No consistency or chemistry built up at all yet.

Bruno MOTM if we’re being honest. Took the absolute piss and was far too good for that level. Miley was superb after a ropey 10 minutes. But ruined it a bit at the end there. He was up there for MOTM and all. Thiaw and Botman deliberately passing through the lines was great to see. Can’t get too carried away of course. League One opposition. But it was far more impressive than basically all of our games against lower league teams under Howe.

I was thinking Barnes hadn’t touched the ball since coming on and wasn’t in the game. Then suddenly had 2-3 interchanges with Woltemade and immediately looked back to the HARVEY Barnes of old.

The Woltemade and Barnes link up is a sign of things to come and is very promising. He is exactly the sort of striker he needs to bring the best out of him. I think the same can be said for Elanga. Gordon too, if he wants to try the give and go more often.

Deliberate Partridge from the commentator on that Bruno miss a few minutes ago? LIQUID FOOTBALL from the Magpies

Fucking hell. Strike son. Annoying we can’t keep yet another clean sheet, mind. Piss poor from Miley. But what a finish that is.

Gordon very lively. But his shooting is still utter shite.

Now Gordon knows how the wingers who have been crossing/passing to him this season have felt Brilliant wing play, on a plate. 50p head from Osula.

Some of his forward passing has been really slack though. Lovely ball over the top to Osula, mind. What I’ve liked about him this game. Is how determined and mobile he has looked. Getting back loads and covering a lot of ground. Popping up everywhere. I know it is hard to gauge because of the opposition. But I love that he seems a bit more aggressive and purposeful. Certainly agree that he is better in the deeper role and have thought so for a while. He gets lost in the wider role. But it isn’t a position where anyone seems to shine in Howe’s system. Even Bruno fades in and out of games. Tonali struggled there. Big Joe is brilliant at it. But it’s like the position has been tailor made for his skillset.

When he has a bit of space to run into with or without the ball. He looks quality and you’d say prem level, no bother. Even if he still looks raw. But back to goal and whenever he is trying to link play. He is shockingly bad. Heavy touch, wrong decision, often off balance and whatever else he gets wrong. You can see why Howe hasn’t trusted him as the 9 much at all. Still, top scorer this season

He’s not been good this game and it hasn’t suited his style at all. But he is unlucky not to have 2-3 assists this season already. He hasn’t played all that much either. Which is a slight concern of mine considering the money we paid.

I jinxed Thiaw’s passing

I’m not saying we have inspired routines. But a few times you can half see what we are going for and we just get it nowhere near the target. Massively over or under hitting it. Or just misplacing a simple pass. Not sure we’re fooling anyone with Krafth dummying it on his left, mind