Lush Vlad

I know it’s probably because people are looking bigger picture. And that we should be challenging on all fronts in the next say 5-10 years in regards to sliverware. But I do find it really odd. That after years of not winning anything. Anyone can be so blasé about another potential cup final and also finally getting that monkey off our back and winning a trophy.

Not sure if Isak is an option or not and sounds like Gordon is also playing with a niggle. So I'm guessing Wilson will probably start. Personally, I think he's looked leggy as fuck since Isak came off at home to Dortmund. Plus he's been injured again since in the meantime. 3 games in 6 days would certainly seem like too much for him and the extra minutes will have contributed to him breaking down against Dortmund away.

TBF, the way he smashed that one on his left earlier on in the second half. You'd be forgiven if you thought he was left footed. Well, apart from the fact he's usually taking a touch, dribbling and passing with his right foot

Doesn’t help that nobody knows the words or just sings Scotswood Road in the first and second part. It’s awful.

It’s a deez-grace. That’s what it is.

Block R Gallowgate Upper. Used to always sit there in the 5th placed season and it was usually decent enough. Thought it was pretty good again. But quite a few day tripper types. I kind of fall into that category these days, mind!

The confidence on the lad. Had the stones to look to force the issue and even try back heels and flicks. All in front of an impatient/expectant crowd and at the age of 17. Fucking madness. Looked a simple enough finish. But we’ve been anything but clinical of late and he did well not to snatch at it and that set us on our way. Different players. But he’s already better on the ball than Longstaff.

Thought he was MOTM if not for Bruno. A mixture of great attacking play, solid defensive work, the odd smash and even a bit of flair at the end there. We now have a few quality or at least solid options available for both full back positions. Yet we have other positions where we barely even have a fit starter.

They couldn’t man mark him after the red and he took the absolute piss. Felt like watching a Year 11 playing against Year 7’s at times. Such was the gulf in class.

This is the worry. We have been brilliant our last two home games for 80 mins and 55 mins or so. Never got the second or third goal to kill the game off. Then seemed to run out of puff/ideas late on. It is understandable with not being able to rotate the players over the last god knows how many matches. So I just hope some of the returning players or possible changes can give us a bit of a boost today.

If that continues to be the case. Then it’s pretty damning and would end up being a waste of money should the deal become permanent.

I think he’ll start playing soon. Gordon injured/carrying a niggle. Barnes not back for a couple of months. Almiron not really contributing when it matters. I would expect him to get some minutes wide left or maybe even midfield in the next few games. Hopefully, he gets more than a half to impress this time and he then becomes a genuine option. Might be wishful thinking, mind. He’s barely even played as a last resort during this injury crisis.

I hope so! Couldn’t hack watching a Mourinho team after what we’ve been spoiled with under Howe.

Where is all this talk of Mourinho coming from? Seen a few mention it on Twitter and even had a fan of another club message me saying it was rumoured. That would be fucking awful.

Atmosphere was far better than usual for where I sit in the Leazes. People were actually singing and getting involved regularly. Second half was nervy and flat. The performance didn’t help, but even worse for me. Was some absolute yahoo sat two seats along. Who was offering someone out for about half an hour. Because he asked him to sit down. Nobody really stands for long periods where we sit, for context. Then moved on to saying all the fans near us are shit, because we don’t support the team and don’t stand up. All whilst arguing with someone two rows back and facing the wrong way Seems like shit like this is happening more this season.

He has been a bit disappointing of late. But Wilson starting shows what even a half fit Isak brings to the team. May as well have put the statue of Shearer up top in place of Wilson last night.

Yep. He was outstanding. Usually his lack of technical ability is what lets him down. But he had it all last night. Such a shame that his outrageous goal counted for fuck all in the end. Loftus-Cheek is a soft cunt for his size. Wanted nothing to do with Big Joe when the going got tough.

Fair. Can’t really complain. I always feel biased bigging Pope up. But the goal does seem twice as big when Dubravka is in nets.

That hurt. Still proud of the lads. We were class and we were in the mix right until the death.

Certainly not blaming him for either goal. But he does dive without using his arms. Which seems a bit daft.

Well yeah, of course. But I think people are collectively losing their shit over the prospect of defeat in one game. When we’ve already had bigger games and more disappointing results this season. We will between this game and the end of the season, as well.

If we lose this and we go on to have a good season. Then it’s no different, to me. This is coming from someone’s who’s in-laws are all mackems I’ll be fucked off if we lose and it would be a disappointment, for sure. But fuck me. Bigger picture and all that.

Thanks. Thought he wasn’t for some reason. I don’t think he’d be chucked in off the back of two bad games from Dubravka. I don’t even think he’d necessarily be any better. But I feel like Dubs could have done a lot better for a couple of goals and was basically directly at fault for another two. Not really great from 7 conceded.

He’s not registered, is he? If Dubravka carries on like he has the last two games and there is any truth in the story about his shoulder injury. Then Karius should be getting a look in soon.

I’m certainly arsed. But I’ve seen 1-2 saying it will be our biggest game of the season? Give over. The CL games are already more important. Tomorrow night will be. Beat Chelsea in the cup and we’re into the semis. That game and the potential two semi finals are bigger. I think/hope we will have games later on this season that could mean getting into a European spot. It is a massive game for fans of both clubs, of course. But have a bit of perspective.