Lush Vlad

Said it before in here. Leicester supporting mate wasn’t disappointed he left. He said when they had that slump and their Plan A stopped working. He had no clue how to stop the rot and get back on track. Felt like they were a bit lucky in the end. They could still win tonight, mind and it’s not like Leicester are doing very well without him But I can’t imagine the form table makes for good reading for Chelsea fans.

Talk about damning with faint praise. “Not as good as Raya’s yesterday.”

Whilst also being annoying that we didn’t capitalise ahead of our tough run to end Feb.

How long has Areola had that lid?! Looks like Gomez Addams.

Came in here to say this. Another one for the football pet hates thread. Refs always give those nothing fouls when there is a promising attack developing. Just in case it results in a goal and it’s controversial. Never see it the other way. Always feels like the ‘safe’ decision.

Hayden Hackney is a terrific name. That is all. Got the Chelsea game on. It’s been dreadful so far. So might watch the second half of the Boro game.

Shifted Duran and a couple of other fringe players, no? Did Buendia go out on loan in the end? They did get Malan in too, mind.

Big fan.

Signed on a free. Sold to Italy. Oh Lloyd Kelly.

Needs to come on at FT in his brace if we win to Stone Cold’s music. Then deliver a stunner to Arteta, Havertz and Gabriel.

Earlier in the season we seemed to salvage something in the second half. As we were often behind. But for quite some time, we are often worse in the second half home and away. So I'm all for this.

Wasn’t it a weakness of Given’s though?! Trafford’s FBRef does suggest he is below average on crosses and someone on here said their Burnley mate calls him ‘Flapper Trafford’

Can't see him going for that at all in the summer. If he does, then I very much doubt we'd still be interested and nor should we be. He wasn't worth that when he had 2 years left on his deal. So with 12 months left, I don't see how he is going to cost £70 million.

I bet it’s Levy leaking that story and the value to try and make it look like they’re trying to spend big. Could have come up with a sensible number, at least

If we are actively looking to sign him. Then we’ll be hoping they don’t get promoted. As I’d imagine his price would go up again. He might even want to stay if they go up.

Agree with this. Obviously we won’t just approach it like it’s 0-0. But at the same time, we need to play our own game and that does sort of apply in some ways. If we go massively negative and risk averse from the start. I think that’s just asking for trouble. Especially if they were to get an early goal.

Nah. Burn at left back against Nwaneri or Martinelli. That’s suicide. Sort of game that would suit Tino and all. Trippier has been getting worse and worse as a defender since the start of last season.

Midfield? Sounds like Joelinton is going to be missing.

Really? I’d be extremely surprised and massively worried if that happened.

It is a bit of a conundrum. Do we stick or twist? All the cliches about 2-0 being a dangerous scoreline apply. Not sure I'd want us going with a back 5 and defending from the off, mind. Especially as Howe has barely done that from the start since, what, his first season? He seems wedded to his 4-3-3 and I think we'll just play this like we often do against Arsenal at SJP. The last two meetings have been incredibly tight, with neither side creating much. I think Botman and Pope should come in, mind. As I think they'll be reverting back to Set Piece FC for this.

Clutching at straws? Possibly. Am I nervous as fuck already about Wednesday? Yes. But I didn't get the dread and fear I was expecting after yesterday's game. Especially considering they won 5-1. First goal is a defensive fuck up from City. Admittedly they should then score again from another defensive/goalkeeping blunder. But after that, I thought City were the better side and Raya makes two top saves at 1-0. City then deservedly get it back to 1-1. Second goal Foden plays a ridiculous pass and they get a massive slice of luck with the deflection. The third is appalling goalkeeping. This place would have a meltdown if that was Dubravka or Pope and rightly so. Fair fucks. The 4th is a great counter and goal. City their usual wide open selves at the back. The 5th I think is bad from the keeper and all. Not much pace on it and not that far away when it goes past him. Just waves it away into the corner. Looked like an outfield player playing in nets all night. That didn't feel like a 5-1 game for a good hour and Arsenal were very open by their standards. We won't be as gung ho and light at the back as City were.

Can't see it. He has barely been getting a look in of late and he is awful on the left. His last game against Barrow he was our worst player by miles. You can't move Bruno to the left. As he doesn't have the legs to cover Gordon/Hall and won't link up down that flank in the same way Willock can, or at least used to.

I was more meaning the fact he came off with a knee injury and is now wearing a locking knee brace. Could just be a precaution, of course. But he surely won’t be anywhere near full fitness with such a quick turnaround.

I’d imagine Willock will be playing in place of Joelinton as well. Murphy on the counter, too. Plenty of pace in the forward areas and we won’t be wide open like City every time we attack. You’d like to hope we won’t gift them chance after chance from individual mistakes either.