Lush Vlad

They did not do their homework on the Longstaff underlap special! Just waltzed in and twatted it. Shearer's words ringing in his ears when it comes to finishing, so decided to do the celebration to go with it I've been wrong about this lad since Rafa left. So long may me knowing fuck all continue.

Just to add. Is he going for a club record for yellow cards? Is that 7 in all comps now?!

To coin an American Football running back phrase. He really is like a pressure release valve. You just know he's going to get you up the pitch or nick a cheap free kick when he gets the ball with a bit of space to run into. Late in the game, I think it was him or possibly someone else that nicked it back. He then carried it 20-30 yards, before making sure he drew the foul. Clever as fuck when it is for your team. Infuriating and borderline cheating when it is against you. Glad he now plays for us every week and it's not twice a season against us. He's relentless.

Probably the 500th time 'tactical masterclass' has been mentioned in here. But it really was. The absolute stones on him to press that high against these, leaving the back 4 up against 4 elite attacking players basically all night and having the midfield pushed right up, leaving some big gaps to exploit. Wow. It seemed like every time we went to press aggressively, it was the right time to do so and it worked or at least caused enough panic for them to lose it a few passes later. They would often gift us possession back when not actually under significant pressure at the time. 4-5 times in the first half we won it back after a good spell of pressing and they just made an unforced error due to the relentless nature of the front three/six. The defensive line was high at times and they actually caused us some bother when going back to front. But it just meant we could compress everything and make it hard for them to pass through us. They didn't seem to have an answer for it Then when we had to sit in deep and defend. We were solid and compact (Rafa TM) and made them work for pretty much every chance they managed to create. A lot of sideways and nothing possession from them.

Perhaps worded it badly. I think he looks like he is half a yard slower, his touch can be a bit off compared to usual and not as explosive at the minute. Whether that is to do with the knee injury, or the injury subconsciously stopping him from fully opening up, I don't know. But it is noticeable. I'm not questioning his workrate or effort.

What the actual fuck is that?!

Agree that he seems to be playing through and injury and perhaps a bit within himself. Yet he is still really effective, scoring goals and getting chances. It just shows how good he is. He got the press spot on last night. Always seemed to be at the right time in the game and then the others would follow.

Why does this magnificent Swiss bastad not have his own song? Think the Phillipe Albert song has been mentioned a few times and fits perfectly. Like how did we shoehorn Yohan Cabaye into that chant but we’ve not done it for this guy

I do actually agree with the part where he says it does seem unprecedented. Has there ever been such a black and white decision like this, that has 100% proven to be the wrong call due to an error that was then later admitted and played out in public. Highlighting how incompetent the officials on the day were. Unlike other marginal calls that are impossible to prove 100% because of the stupid way VAR is used, or a foul for a goal etc, that could be deemed subjective. This feels different. However, this would set a ridiculous precedent and no way should the game get replayed. It feels like this could be the straw that broke the camel's back, mind. As there have been no end of horrendous calls with VAR being used incorrectly and apologies being issued. It has only been getting worse and all. So if this drives a massive change to the complete shitshow that is VAR in the Premier League. Then good news all round.

If he missed the game. Then Tonali would be the only surprise there. Seemed pretty obvious that the other three were going to miss this game and more than likely West Ham, as well.

I think we might struggle without Big Joe and Botman. Arguably our two most important players for a game like this. Still, Lascelles has come in and looked good and Anderson/Tonali are hardly bad choices to play instead of Joelinton. The squad is getting stretched a bit. But the depth has already improved massively in the last two seasons.

Which way round is the spaghetti/Moretti, then? The song seems to have evolved into a load of noise, and then a gap before…. HE HATES FUCKING SUN’LUN.

Seriously FFS. I think we’ll give them a game home or away full strength. But wouldn’t fancy going there and making wholesale changes. But guessing we will with the fixture pile up.

Looked far more composed on the ball and with his passing. Which is odd, seeing as it was against such a good side. He was noticeably trying to pass through the lines and to feet. Usually with success, as well. Even the longer stuff was quite controlled. Not just blasting it anywhere like he often used to. It was noticeable how bad we were from the back without Schar and Botman to receive it short. But they are both well above average centre backs on the ball.

Much better further forward and when he is facing their goal more often than ours. I for one am shocked.

Loved how aggressive he was with his defending. Will get rinsed now and then because of it. But only got done the once tonight, against top opposition. Seemed fit as a flea considering how long he’s been without regular football. Grumpy sod at the end, mind

The difference he makes. Wow. Did more for our attacking play in 5 minutes. Then the whole team managed first half. Invaluable to us and proved that in 5 minutes, basically. The Bruno slander on social media has been outlandish.

Just loves defending this lad.

Great to have the wrecking ball back.

Could tell he has ability in the limited time he had on the ball. Just from the passes he tried and trying to dribble out of tight areas.

Definitely not suited to that role. Not in this league or against teams like this, at least. Seemed to be a massive clamour on Twitter to play him deep and all the tactics nerds and analyst/scouting accounts said his touch isn’t good enough and not got the awareness. They weren’t wrong based on this.

I wish Pep would just fuck off. If City could get relegated to League One and all for all their alleged dodgy business. Give everyone else a chance to win, or even have the fucking ball for 30 seconds would be nice

Exactly. Plus despite some heroic defending. We had little control over the midfield against Milan and the other two games were against Brentford and Sheff Utd. We will and do miss him in certain types of games, for sure. I’d rather focus on his impressive body of work since Howe has been here. Rather than a few games where he was half fit, against top sides. I just hope we are not rushing him back due to us being so short. As he seemed to be playing through 2-3 various injuries last season. I know it is doubtful that we would chance his fitness. But just a bit paranoid. As I think he’s a massive player for us and we need him 100%.

https://x.com/manxpie86/status/1706052653707358417?s=46 Dutch Bastad for the third. Perfection. Crafty Little Bastad done me in for some reason. Can’t stop laughing

Seeing a lot of people complaining about the foul for the third goal not even being a foul, never mind a booking? Not really sure what people are complaining about. That kind of tackle gets pinged almost all the while nowadays and at this level, no? Clearly follows through with his trailing leg and ends up quite high, as well. That's before you even debate whether or not it was excessive force and if he is in control, or not. Half reminded me of De Jong on Ben Arfa all those years ago. Just seems a bit needless and too many tackles like that could result in serious injury. Just because people like me, who played about 15 leagues lower don't think it's bad because he "got the ball" is kind of irrelevant.