Lush Vlad

Said to my mate I think that's the first time I've seen him lace a ball since signing

Not until we get through the play-offs. We owe them a beating

Arguably the calmest and most languid player on the pitch last night. A 19 year old playing away against the European champions in his fourth different position this season. Mental. He had a rough start to the game. Was pulled about a bit positionally. They had overloads against him and they were looking to get in behind a lot. He was up against pure pace early (and all night TBF). Got a dodgy penalty call against him. Was he bothered? Was he fuck

The ref against PSV was much better. Seemed to let the game flow. Described the one last night as a proper European ref. Giving every bit of contact from us. Whilst also being a massive homer and favouring PSG all the while.

Happy with how it has ended up. The travel to play Qarabag would be far from ideal. But you’d like to think we’ll have too much for them over two legs. Monaco would mean a possible away day and some expensive beers. Not a horrible, intimidating away game or a long way to go. Looking at some of the predicted permutations from before the games kicked off. I think it could have been a lot worse.

No idea how we’ll line up here. Would like to see the formation from last night. As they will hog the ball and are still susceptible to the long ball over the top. Plus they will have a makeshift defence. Unless Konate is back? Just not sure who would come out. Ramsey for Bruno if he is fit or does Tonali finally get a rest? You’d assume Gordon and Barnes back in. But they were great off the bench once the game was stretched. Wissa for Woltemade? I don’t think it is hyperbole to suggest that last night has suddenly made us a lot less predictable. In terms of player selection and formation. Used to always feel like we went with same tried and trusted 13-14 players. Rinse and repeat. It’s good to have some options. Probably be 4-3-3 now and I’m overthinking it.

On the whole. I have never liked it. But this season the couple of times we have played it in Europe. We seem to have played with two behind the front man that has worked well and with a lot more fluidity than I can remember. The fact we have quite a few players that suit that formation, bar enough fit and decent enough defenders, of course. Along with not being able to tell who our best midfielders and forwards would be. With genuine options across the pitch feels like a big plus. It could work well for us in certain games. I think more for away games against teams like last night. When we are afforded plenty of space is when it will work best. Not sure it would always be suitable at home against say a team like Wolves, West Ham or Everton. Although you would get more players into central areas near the striker, I guess. I wouldn’t mind if we persisted with it or some variant of it, TBH. As I think the stock 4-3-3 is far too rigid and easy to set up against now. Plus we often seem so open playing it and it is easy to bypass the press and get beyond our midfield. I know we got carved apart in the middle early on last night. But we still had numbers behind to help out. The 4-3-3 regularly sees us with 2 on 2/3 on 3 or overloads that are a real struggle to defend against. Happened constantly against Villa. I guess now the main issue is only having 3 fit CB’s, one fit LB/LWB who has played loads of games in a row and one on the other side who is past it. Another new position for Miley then Perhaps we would have seen it more of Hall, Tino, Botman, Burn and to a lesser degree, Trippier. Weren’t missing at times where we could have used it more often.

They seemed happy to go back to him a lot more tonight. I was not quite as comfortable as them watching. Especially when he had a touch or two It seemed a bit more aimed at a general area and not just spooned to nobody or straight to the opposition. I can only remember a couple of bad ones out of more kicks than usual.

I know you can’t give cards based on assumptions. But he has clearly meant that. He sees it coming, dangles a foot nowhere near the ball. Then treads on him halfway up his leg. Before having the cheek to feign injury to try and win the free kick. Coward’s challenge and he did a snide one after that on someone and all. Shame he didn’t get booted up in the air. Needed to helicopter Joelinton in just to smash him

Still not in love with the format. But for the style of play, the games I’ve seen and for our two clubs in particular. It’s been far better than the Prem this season.

I thought Gordon played well FWIW

Welcome back Big Man.

That back 3 do really compliment each other well. Hard to say who was the best. Botman the most polished. Burn the most WARHORSE Thiaw possibly the best of the bunch, for me. Was always in the right spot.

Watching that Benfica goal in the pub was class. Everyone celebrating. Even better that it knocked Marseille out.

He was outrageously good. Not as flashy as Hall or Botman. But seemed to always be in the right place at the right time.

You do you then mate. Get in there and make it about you as per usual. Crack on son.

Loved the fluidity he had along with a few others. Like Miley and Hall stepping into midfield. Willock in some sort of wide, inside left, attacking mid free role. He was popping up all over. Was brilliant first half. Faded in the second. We rarely see that level of interchanging and movement from a Howe team. Similar to Marseille first half. I thought it worked really well.

His hold up and link play improved as the game opened up. He started off with the usual heavy touches or too many and losing it. He won loads of headers. Just wish he could direct them a bit better. The formation and runners around him seemed to suit him a lot more. Just needs a goal to get back up and running. I still think he offers more than Wissa overall. Just not sure he fits the usual 4-3-3 as we have been playing it.

No. Every thread is you pissing and moaning at someone who dares have a different opinion. I agree with you on plenty TBF. But I’ve decided to chime in when you’re being a helmet for no apparent reason for a change

Great dogged performance away at the European champions. The threads are awash with people praising the commitment levels, performances and tactics. All positive stuff. Kaka: ABSOLUTELY NOT. I’LL PUT A STOP TO ALL THIS NICENESS AND GO AND MOAN ABOUT SOMETHING.

Have a day off from being the forum WUM, FFS. Absolute bore.

His at times calamitous style go against him. He is a top class keeper who is shit at kicking. Even with the ricks this season. I don’t see loads of viable options that will be a sure fire upgrade on him. Said for a while it will cost a lot to replace his keeping ability AND improve on his kicking. The latter isn’t hard. The former certainly is. Massive penalty save and the one on one. Just a shame they scored so soon after the pen.

His pace was a weapon and our best outlet. Unlucky not to score and assist.

Like I said. The ‘easier’ ones he seems to snatch at. Then he finishes ones that are fairly low quality. Bringing him and Gordon on was a masterstroke and they linked really well. On another night they win the game for us. Oh well.

He is so much better in more of a 2 and when he can go looking for the ball deep, to then turn out and play. Before popping up between the lines. He is as good as Bruno with that shoulder roll and finding space. I just wish after he has beaten 2-3, he would look to get the pass or shot away and not keep losing it or challenging for contested balls. I know he hasn’t been particularly good in the midfield 3. But I’m still baffled he hasn’t got more minutes however we are setting up. Looks like the only midfielder who can even half replicate what Bruno brings.