Lush Vlad

Any update on him? Could really do with him back for Tuesday. But I’d guess that’s doubtful if he wasn’t even fit enough for the bench today.

Him dropping deep really paid off. West Ham never stopped it all game. He was far sharper and quicker on the turn and with willing runners beyond him with the likes of Gordon and Barnes. It worked out well. He seemed a lot more ‘on it’. Despite fluffing a couple of good opportunities. He also played right through to the end. Normally tails off from about 60 onwards.

Up there with Shola for pens. Ice cold.

There’s still time

Villa. 100%

Every game I have seen him recently against us, which I think was 4 last season and 2 this. Two of those were live. I don’t even notice he’s playing. Certainly got great technique and a good passer. But feels like a MOTD player. As I’ve never seen him and noticed him having a good game. He’d be better than Longstaff ATM. But at this point, a current day Alan Smith probably would be

Found his decision to bring on Krafth for Lascelles really odd. Completely shuffled the back 4 and meant Tino was then out of position, as well. He always looks far better on the right and was actually poor on the left, I thought. Hall seemed such an obvious decision and would only have meant one position change. The insistence to persist with the high line, with an immobile, half fit midfield in front of them and a keeper rooted to his line behind them. Seems odd to say the least. The injury, recovery and return situation seems like it needs a full review at the end of the season. As it’s beyond a joke and bad luck now. All that said. These players are still playing for him 100% and the fans still seem on board, in the ground at least. Feared it might have turned a bit toxic after their third. Really don’t know how to feel. Love him to bits and he has been dealt a shit hand this season. But at the same time, he hasn’t played his cards right a lot of the time. Good that we’ve not folded, though.* *sorry for the shit card related cliches. Wasn’t planned at first

How many of them were clear penalties and how many were him being ‘clever’ (cheating) and all? Razor sharp reactions in the box. Loved watching him this season. Felt like he was going to catch Bowen for the third. His desire, workrate and pace are unmatched.

He’s tidy as fuck on the ball. Started the move and then got up the pitch to put the cross in for one of our decent chances. Was it Longstaff’s, or was that Miggy’s cross/pass? Touch is very good.

Really good at crashing the box still. But his final pass or shot is now almost always lacking. Everything else has dropped off a cliff. As he still gets about the pitch. But he’s like a traffic cone when he gets to players. Just doesn’t make a challenge or even make it difficult for the man in possession. This injury must really be bothering him. As he’s become a nothing player. Anderson must be close to a start. But I doubt Howe would want to play him with Willock. Perhaps a bit too attacking as a 3.

Yeah. I’m not saying I rate Karius. But always more proactive off his line at Liverpool from memory. So the trade off could be worth it? Hard to judge on his two games here. Thought he was ok in the cup final. Crap against Arsenal. But they all were, in fairness.

I think the ‘not been the same for a while’ thing has been massively overplayed. He had that massive howler against Liverpool and was caught out against West Ham earlier in the season. But I just didn’t see a drop off in form or quality in general. Just the usual heart attacks whenever he had the ball at his feet and time standing still when he came out to sweep I think the latter has been amplified since the Liverpool fuck up. Fans are understandably less confident. But he still kept on being proactive. The shoulder worries me. Same one he’s already done and I have heard his recovery is taking longer than planned.

He did seem to really suffer after some howlers in the Euros or WC. I want to say against Spain? Did he have an injury, as well. Or have I imagined the injury? Feel a bit sorry for him to a point for the first. Awful defending and no pressure on the ball in midfield. If he came flying out and didn’t get there. He’d get stick from fans for it. But not sure back peddling and giving Antonio all the time in the world to make a decision was the best idea. Starting position must have been questionable, again. The second I think a better keeper saves it. Gets a strong hand to it. The third he was dreadfully exposed. So it’s hard to criticise. But again. Never seems to do anything for one on ones to force the attacker into a decision. Just retreats until they’re set and then they shoot. Howe’s tactics and also the team in front of him are equally to blame. As the fact we keep playing this way with a keeper scared to come off his line is just suicidal. But I’m now at the point where I’d rather see Karius. If we really are going to keep on like this. As there is acres in behind our back 4 every week and Dubs is always in no man’s land.

How many would he have scored if he was available all season? What’s he on now in what seems like about 6 games worth of minutes? 4?

Shit that we have so many injuries. Meaning he might finally get a start. But the blessing in disguise is that we might see him get some games. Thought he was really good today. Albeit against a team that had no desire to attack for the whole time he was on.

Ah. I thought it was back to 8. Then put his incorrect tweet in saying it was 9. Fuck knows.

Correct.

Agreed. But probably not Almiron. Went off injured. Barnes and Hall probably have to play considering all the injuries and Gordon missing.

For once in my gobshite life. Speechless. :

The injuries are beyond a joke and bad luck now. Complete overhaul of the medical, S&C and sports science departments surely required?

This is fucking infuriating. Like our entire season wrapped up into one half. Felt like we were starting to get the upper hand. Then bang. Schoolboy defending, again. Sick of watching them give away soft goals every week.

We are soft as fuck this season. So annoying.

Harsh on Murphy. He’s put in two peaches and should have an assist from one. Great defending the other.

Has to score that. Nice to get an early cross in.

Standard. No pressure on the ball from midfield. High lines/disjointed line. With no offside trap and a keeper that is rooted to his line.