Lush Vlad

Players get sent off when squaring up and leaning in slightly or a light push to the face. This is far more forceful than that and whether he meant to hit him in the head or not is irrelevant. He did and so here we are. It’s a red all day long in the modern game and no way is it getting overturned. If they still do the extra game for the frivolous appeal. Then this would be a candidate.

Both him and Schar do aggressively follow their man for most of the game, TBF. Even if it is 60 odd yards away from our goal. That said. I did still think it was poor from him going into the channel and not getting there. Right near half time and just seemed like he was second favourite from the get go and left us massively exposed. Not great for the second, either. But it was a catalogue of errors and everyone was fucked by that point. Considering how open the game got and how exposed he was defensively. I thought he had a good game overall.

Or not try and cross it when there is no angle to get it past said first man. I think at least 4-5 times he attempted it and it was never on. Trying to kick it through their defender

Ah well. At least Man U can’t carry on being shit. But still managing to win trophies. Probably win the Europa now I’ve said that

I’d rather Tino at left back and Krafth at right back, I think. But then he could have brough Krafth on today and didn’t.

Think he is better when he plays in the deeper role and gets on the ball more. But obviously not going to when Tonali is on the pitch. Such a weird position the wide CM for us. Tonali looked a bit lost there and all. Seems hard to get too involved or have a big impact with the ball too often. Even Bruno is less involved there. Whilst also being more involved in the right areas, if that makes sense?

Yep. Shit that Hall is out and I wouldn’t trust Trippier for a run of games or to even stay fit. But Tino at left back might work well for the final.

The weird sort of 4-4-2 he played today and the almost 4-4-1-1 at Anfield didn’t work particularly well. Felt like there was even more space between the lines playing this way. I like that we commit players high. But for a while now. We just stick players in the opposition half and they all just sort of jog between players passing it round us with ease. The likes of Joelinton and Gordon just doing doggies and chasing shadows. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of structure to it or the intensity that we had before. So we end up with quite a few bodies wrong side of the ball. As they work it into dangerous areas off a few passes and find the space between our lines. I also agree with what others are saying. If we do go full send and a bit gung ho. Teams are combating our press by going long or direct into midfielders or attackers dropping off into the middle. So perhaps Howe is just trying to find a balance and the best way to counter it.

Well yeah. But that’s not the meme. Don’t actually fully agree, either. Was thinking we’d have Big Joe and Botman back going into the final. But we actually have a half-fit Isak, no Hall and no sign of Botman either. Along with no Gordon. Plus we’ve just gone out the cup in one of the most painful ways possible.

Yeah. I’m trying to catch ahold of myself and remember where we are, how quickly we’ve got here and how this group of players have been the most likeable and relatable in my whole time supporting the club. I go well overboard at times and will probably continue to do so tonight even after typing this out But I think we just have too many players that we have outgrown. Yet we are unable to upgrade because of PSR. Along with others who should be squad players. Who are having to play every week regardless of form, fitness or age. The players and Howe don’t deserve a load of abuse.

I thought he was brilliant today, particularly on the left and our MOTM. Just a shame that he was so poor for their second. But he had got through some shift up to that point.

I know Willock has been poor most of the season. But I don’t really have much faith in Barnes, either. I think to try and shore things up and with it sounding like Hall will be out a while and Botman seemingly never going to play again it’ll be the Big Joe/Little Joe combo on that side.

van Hecke. The bug eyed gimp who plays CB for them. Somehow avoided a yellow for doing the Boris Johnson Rugby tackle on Willock

I know his game is more about raw pace, his tenacity and work rate. But he is poor on the ball a lot of the time. Just loose and careless. There was one in the first half that summed his season up for me. Some great counter attacking play from him and I think Joelinton who found him a few times. Simple pass to Miley which would have led to a shot or playing Trippier or Barnes in down the line. Massively overhit the ball and the chance was gone. Obviously there was a lot of good first half, as well and there were also plenty of other not so good stuff second half. But all season when he cuts in and can’t get a shot away. It never feels like we’re going to do anything with it. I feel like he’s trying to develop further as a player. When I wish he’d just get back to what he’s good at.

He is and was infuriating in the league game. But he didn’t even play today

I’m no fan of his. But it was going straight at Dubravka until Trippier basically scored it for Minteh with the deflection.

Because I was being deadly serious.

Ah well. At least we have a better chance of winning the FA Cup than the League Cup

Yeah. I thought he was a minor positive from today. Along with Tino at left back and Dubravka. Before they were sadly both at fault to some degree for Brighton’s second goal.

Been one of his biggest fans on here. But it’s getting hard to watch him. Seems to be scared of making a mistake or getting injured or something. Constantly looks like he is playing within himself. Without his athleticism and dynamism on and off the ball. He’s just another one of our players with a poor touch and pass appreciation.

At least Pope would have spooned it miles in the air and off and we could have got back into our shape

Why the fuck would we appeal it? Schar’s didn’t get overturned. On what planet is that getting rescinded? As for @Yorkie proclaiming how good he’s been. He really hasn’t like. Like most of our squad. He had a quality run of form when we went on that win streak. Outside of that, he’s been inconsistent at best. Then you throw in the stroppy, huffy teenager routine and perceived, IMO, lack of effort and tracking back. Which doesn’t always seem tactical. Then it’s easy to see why people have been getting a bit fed up with him when compared to last season. I don’t think it’s kneejerk and plenty have been saying it. But of course that’s horseshit in your eyes. He is one of our better players. Yet not putting in decent performances very often. You expect up and down, wasteful, frustrating performances from most of our squad. Not the blue chip players and highest earners like him.

Forgot he was on until the ball slapped him in the face.

We’re a bit shit. That 9 game winning run has papered over some cracks. Too many players that have massively regressed this season. Too many games where we look utterly clueless.