Lush Vlad

FWIW, it sounded a lot better on the TV than it usually does.

I just came on here to post about this. Not got to as many games as I would have liked this year for various reasons. So not really in a position to judge too much. But in all of the players pics. The ground looks half empty. After all of the adversity this year and the shit hands we’ve been consistently dealt. They deserved our support there. Great connection between the fans and the squad since Howe has come in. Seems weird that so many would fuck off. Either that or the average match going fan since the takeover has become far too plastic/entitled/expectant. Delete as appropriate.

He can’t start at Old Trafford based on that IMO. Barnes was bad, as was Almiron. But they were still constantly looking to get involved and being active in demanding the ball and trying to force the issue. This was all after the game got even more chaotic and with Brighton sitting in from 75-80 for a draw. Murphy just couldn’t wait to cross it to no one or pass the buck by laying it off. On a day with a complete lack of attacking quality. I thought he was the worst. I think Howe likes the cover and width he brings. With Tino always moving inside. Plus Gordon is better on the left and I guess Howe sees that as his position. But I would like to see our £38m man, who has a great goals and assists record start now and then. I do agree with Pilko. I’d still rathe move on Almiron than him. Murphy is a good option and cover some of the time. It feels like Almiron needs to move on and we might actually get a fee for him.

This issue could get partly solved by signing a top quality player for RW. But I thought today highlighted again how bad technically some of our players are on the ball. Botman, Trippier and Schar are our best passers after Bruno. Hall is one of our only players available who can pick a pass. I know Tonali is coming back. But IMO, 4/5 best passers in the team are defenders. I know Howe has his system with inverted wingers and his two 8’s needing more athleticism than technical ability. But I really hope we sign some more players with a bit of vision and creativity. Just comfortable on the ball would be a start.

Fuck.

Up the scabs.

Our best and also worst player, somehow. You can never fault his workrate and ability. Pops up all over the place and he is outrageously quick. But I thought like most of our attacking players. His decision making was terrible for the most part. Often cutting infield when he had space down the line, would 180 back when he had the run on his man and felt like he wanted 2-3 extra touches in crowded areas. Probably harsh to single him out. As the attacking display all round was just generally frustrating as fuck.

A proper shift. Up and down all game, good pace and didn’t do a lot wrong off the ball. But fucking hell. His decision making was atrocious. Not sure he ever picked the right pass, cross, cutback or whatever. Wasted some great positions. At least he was getting in those positions, I guess.

Thought he was brilliant. Nobody played particularly well. But he was aggressive with his pressing, defended well for the most part, kept trying to make things happen with his passing and supported attacks all game. Really happy with how he is starting to come good now. He’ll be even better when we have more first teamers back and a more balanced side.

I thought he looked a bit, scared is the wrong word, but safe on the ball at times. Compared to his usual self, I mean. Got himself in some great areas and there was a good early pass on and he would turn it down in favour of extra touches. Nitpicking, though. Whilst was poor for the goal. His effort and defensive ability in an unnatural position were both top class. Really do like his attitude and the way he puts himself about. On the first point. That was a problem for most of our players. Take Trippier, Botman and Schar out the team and we don’t really have anyone with an eye for a pass, bar Bruno. Bit of a wider issue and something that needs addressing when finances allow. Hall certainly tries to get it up the pitch along the deck, mind.

Massive pressure on the game at Old Trafford now and then a difficult team to play against away. With our away form this season. You can’t be too confident. Stating the obvious. But that’s a massive missed chance and a flat as fuck performance to match.

Frustrating that. We were pretty crap for the most part. Awful decision making throughout in the final third. Typified by that ridiculous dive from Almiron. Gordon was our best and worst player at the same time. Held onto it for too long all the while.

The final ball has been so bad all game. Been in some great positions out wide but never find a man.

My heart can’t take this. It’s back to Eddie’s chaos ball I know it’s not his fault. As he’s a 3rd choice right back playing centre back. But Krafth really does restrict us on and off the ball.

Something here for us, for sure. They are dangerous on the break. But they do keep giving it back to us regularly.

Someone needs to get hold of Enciso. Got the freedom of the city at the minute.

Yep. Wasn’t the midweek Twitter rumour that he has a hamstring injury? I’m not being knee jerk. As I’ve been fairly vocal in my opinion that we can’t rely on him and needs moving on. As have many others. He can’t stay fit for what, more than 5-10 games and his pace has pretty much gone.

How old are you man? She was everywhere when I was growing up.

I have worked from home for the last 7.5 years. As I have worked for national companies and they don't have regional offices. If there was a local office, hybrid would be great. As it's actually good getting up to HQ and seeing the people I rely on every day to do my job effectively. But HQ is 200 miles away from me. I honestly think even if I was offered a significant pay rise. I couldn't go back to working full time at an office. It doesn't make any sense in this day and age and I like the flexibility. But I still get my work done. I work in specification/sales. So it's fairly easy to monitor if people are wanking it off and 'skiving' as Beth thinks is the case

Plus the fact that he’s not better than Pope at anything. Other than his distribution. We have loads of areas of need ahead of first choice keeper. When we replace Pope, it would be nice to get a genuine upgrade and hopefully one that doesn’t cost the earth. I suppose if the medical staff (no laughing) have concerns over Pope’s shoulder. Then it might force our hand this summer. We need to sign a more suitable backup to replace Dubs and Karius, anyway. So we might luck out with a cheap option who ends up being a future number one.

I really hope when we look to upgrade Pope. We sign someone a lot better than Ramsdale. IMO he’s not really an upgrade and would cost a fortune. We do seem to continually get linked with him, though.

Agree on Burn. But even with a small sample size, he has been one of our best performers since moving to CB? Lascelles was what, 3rd possibly 4th choice CB in most people's eyes at the start of the season? We were always going to look to replace him or push him further down the pecking order. Trippier - good job we brought Livramento, then. Trippier being rotated and given a rest or used more tactically isn't a bad thing. So we needed one centre back in, anyway. Now we need two. Say we do manage to get Tosin and Kelly on free transfers (or similar players that don't cost a fortuner) and spend decent money on 1-2 other positions, such as RW and/or striker. Then the squad looks miles better already without a 'rebuild of sorts'. Obviously if we lose someone like Bruno or Isak, then it doesn't.

Agree with a lot of that. But not sure on the league? Not really looked at it points-wise. But surely Spurs are doing better than last year. Liverpool are better and miles clear of us. Villa are doing loads better than us and 16 other clubs. Even Chelsea haven’t been as bad. Man U have been crap but are still in and around us points wise. So aren’t some of the teams that have had a bit of an off-season. Just been replaced by teams who have done a bit better? Like most seasons in that 7-13 kind of range? I still also think we over-achieved massively last season. So it was always going to be tough when in Europe and not having a bit of that surprise element. Then everything that could go wrong did go wrong. So like you say, it’s been a very good season, so far.

Seemed like being better than last season, be it league finish or winning something (lol) was always going to be tough, no? CL to contend with, no longer a bit of a surprise package, we 100% over-achieved against what was expected in almost everyone’s opinion. Although perhaps not yours, as you seem tough to please then throw in clubs that couldn’t possibly be so shit again, whilst also having no Europe to contend with. Then we had some shit luck with injuries and players missing, plus some poor management of said injuries and barely got minutes out of our summer signings. I don’t feel like it will be a rebuild?! We have good players returning and hopefully playing more than this season. The emergence of some younger players. Tonali to come back in. Hall and Livramento getting meaningful minutes at the back end of this season. Along with a full pre-season this summer. Howe showing that he does have tactical versatility. Despite what some on here and social media say. I could go on, but I can’t be arsed. With what, even say 3 first team players brought in. We would look in better shape than we have for an age. How doe we need a rebuild? On that last point. I don’t know if it is or not. Will there be mitigating circumstances again. With some of these being out of our control? Like drawing 70s Brazil and the Harlem Globetrotters in the knockout rounds of cups?

Depends how the summer goes. But I think Top 4-6 again and try to get past the QF’s of the cups this time, then who knows. Although the draws were difficult to say the least in all comps. If it’s just ‘very respectable’ with all the injuries we’ve had. What were you expecting from us this season exactly?! Tough crowd.