Lush Vlad

Kulusevski has been allergic to shooting this half. Had so many good openings and always looks for the pass. Bassey looks calamitous on the ball under the slightest bit of pressure.

Only seen the extended highlights, so this might not have been the case for the full 90 minutes. But they seemed to massively underestimate his ability and get the defending down that side horribly wrong. He looked to have so much time and space, with Palace playing really narrow. Might have been an ok tactic if it was against Almiron. As he would be constantly cutting into congested areas of the pitch. But Murphy is probably our best player for going down the line and getting a cross in.

He is better between the posts and back to goal, for sure. Not sure he is 'way more' effective than Isak in leading the line, though. They are different types of players and it is good having them as options. As they're both starting quality players and top level strikers in the league. Just a shame we don't get to see them on the pitch too often together.

“Back to dry biscuits they’re having.”

The problem with common sense in football. Is that it isn't all that common. Cheers Geoff.

I was going to post something Mafia related and a tongue in cheek comment. But after Alan Hansen's comments and that poor Colombian footballer. I didn't want to tempt fate!

This is where I'm at. No idea if it would be doable with FFP, or if City would even be keen on it. Plus I'm guessing wages might be a stumbling block. But we currently only have Bruno that can play the deeper role in Howe's midfield. As a stop gap, with an option to buy, it is quite appealing. If he rediscovers his Leeds form. Then he would be well worth buying at the end of it if the price wasn't daft.

Fagioli comes across as an absolute rat in all of this if those quotes are accurate. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?! "Tonali made me do it. Honest Guv'nor."

Ban all vices and anything you might be able to get addicted to, I say.

Aye. Absolute nonsense.

Did waffles get any sausage related abuse? Did Alan from work swear loads?

Stopped following that cunt. I know sometimes he genuinely is just reporting on the story. But he revels in the misery and always looks for the negative angle. Proper prick.

Should have been calling round all the Punto Snai shops in Italy. Asking if Tonali had been in taking the overs on cards, corners and throw ins. Quite simple, really.

That gear is quite heavy and restrictive, mind! I’m sure Tonali wouldn’t be running as fast with a lid and some pads on. I noticed the other day how quick he looked. But I didn’t expect him to be showing up on anything like this. Just noticeably quicker than our other CM options. Bar Little Joe.

Not really about being a judge. There is video evidence of him being a lazy fucker and jogging around aimlessly for our goal and Wolves’ second. Should be ‘bursting his lungs’ in those situations if he’s nice and fresh after barely playing and all that possession, shouldn’t he? I think we’re past buying rejects from the ‘big’ clubs, thankfully. Who knows. If we were to get him on loan with a reasonable option and he got some minutes and a run of games. The Leeds version would be great and I would like us to sign a DM. So not 100% against something like that. But he was injured (again) after joining and has since barely got a look in for City. With Pep seemingly happy to have players a bit out of position there. Instead of playing Phillips, a recognised CM.

You not watch him loafing about against Wolves and us for two of the goals conceded out the three? Just ambling around like a 5 a side game.

Phillips has looked lazy and slow for City the few games he’s played this season. Can’t see that working well in Howe’s system.

I seem to remember Pardew saying he wanted Tiote to be ‘our Essien’ or words to that effect. He was an absolute boss as an out and out DM and keeping it simple. Shock that Pardew didn’t notice this and get the best out of him.

Was speaking to a couple of mates watching the Brighton-Liverpool game about players who just fit a system, that wouldn't necessarily be so good elsewhere. Or players that you don't really notice how good they are until you see them regularly. I obviously went to town on how good Trippier is and that I didn't appreciate him until we signed him. As a leader, with his passing, his first touch. Just everything, basically. Then 5 minutes later he put that ball in for Isak and it totally proved my point. Some player. Technically, I think he might be the best footballer I've seen supporting the club (born in 89).

Got to love Iceman Isak. Just coolness personified on the pitch. That said, I would have expected him to turn back in on his right foot for the chance where he hit the post. Seemed uncharacteristically rushed from someone who is always so composed and was massively off balance and on his weaker foot. Considering he has clearly been playing through an injury. He's off to a flyer and the great news for us, is that he should be improving from here. Hope he pulls out of the Sweden squad with this knee injury. Get a few players back from injury and some getting over their knocks these next two weeks and we're in a good spot.

Are they still checking tickets at away games, or was it a bit of an empty threat? My mate has been to a couple of aways, he has 4 ST's and on both times he had a couple with him that weren't the correct name on the ticket and no dramas. I think he'd be happy to help me out. But I feel like it isn't worth the risk for him and his points, no matte how small the chance of getting pulled is. Anecdotally, a few mates have said the away ends seem worse off this season. But I've not been so can't comment and I think it could be confirmation bias, due to everyone being pissed off with how they have handled the ticket changes. I've been in plenty of shit away ends down south over the years.

I know the extended highlights are always massively biased towards us. But looked like we played ok and had enough chances to win. I still think Lascelles is just as much at fault for the first as Pope. Second goal just looked like there were some tired legs out there and we weren't quite savvy enough to see it out and play the odds at 2-1. Frustrating to concede so late and I'm glad I wasn't watching it. As those late goals are a lot easier to get over when you're not watching them live. Considering the injuries we've had and juggling multiple competitions. I think we're in pretty good shape in the table and with our recent performances.

Maybe they are missing The Gun Dog more than they expected. He was their talisman in so many games last season.

Shows how good Rodri is and how important he is for their system. I also feel like they do this a lot of years. Then pull away near the end of the season, due to being able to field two entirely different top 4 worthy XI's. They just crush everyone eventually due to their depth.

Just catching up with yesterday's highlights. Pedro Neto is a brilliant throwback winger. Almost every week I see Wolves' highlights, he is on there at least once just burning down the line and getting a cross in. Loves taking his man on on the outside. He looks even better since coming back from his knee injury. I'd imagine plenty of clubs will be after him in the next window or two.