Lush Vlad

Thomas Frank?

Just catching up with yesterday’s highlights. Traore at Villa has got a couple of lovely lay offs from the oppo the last two games

He did in the first as well

They dive/look for free kicks the minute they get over the halfway line. Dark arts indeed. Pipe down you Spitting Image faced fuck.

Fairly sure it will be the same 11 as yesterday. But I’d start him against Villa. Just to have actual wingers playing wide, for a start. Joelinton is ineffective on the left, but a boss in centre mid. Plus Gordon’s pace and pressing ability are both important factors. We would have a directness and high press from both flanks. Wasn’t he one of, or the most effective presser in Europe last season? It was some mad stat like that, anyway.

What are we looking at as a points total? Like what’s the average for 4th place? As in my head, 12 more points would see us secure CL football. Which coincidentally, that is what I got when being fairly pessimistic and cautious predicting results in our remaining games. Considering we have just won 5 on the spin and confidence is sky high. 3-4 wins out of 9 seems easily doable.

Agree with this and what others have been saying about his fitness, generally. Seems like when playing with a bit more intensity. His body just isn’t up to it. Thought since the Wolves game. He has looked unsure about fully opening up and trying to go past players. But didn’t know how much of that was down to instructions and him trying to adapt his game.

This. He was an absolute beast in CM. Him and Bruno bossed their midfield. Joelinton in particular was everywhere.

What a fucking massive, monumentally important result that was. I’m sure it’s been said numerous times on here. But a proper Jekyll and Hyde performance. Went from our worst half of football all season. To being comfortable and controlling the game. Could and should have bagged 4 in the second half. Pope MOTM, for me. Even when he made mistakes, he was positive and aggressive and set the tone. I never want to see Joelinton on the left again. I thought he went from being totally ineffective and one of our worst performers. To our best outfield player by a mile, once switched to CM. Isak and Wilson were on a different wavelength at times. But some classy link up and potential on show, as well. The future’s bright.

They’ve looked at it about 30-40 times and still looks inconclusive. I thought since Webb came in. They’ve set the bar higher for VAR decisions? How can anyone look at that with the angles available and the way Henry goes into the challenge and say it’s a clear and obvious error and a foul?

Be tempted to get Gordon and Wilson on up there with Isak. This formation with these players is not working against them today. Joelinton has been terrible wide left. I mean pretty much all of the players have been, in fairness.

Not having a left winger is not helping. Absolutely zero FRET from that side. Pathetic showing, really. Worst half I can remember for a long while and could easily be 2-3 down. They play awful route one, win free kicks and set pieces stuff and we have no answer for it.

I thought they had changed the way VAR was used? How are they giving that second pen?! Deserve fuck all, mind. But they’ve looked at it about 30 times and it’s still inconclusive.

In pretty decent company! Mad that he is on this list, considering he’s a right back.

I think I'm in the minority. But I actually thought until the last 5 minutes of the first half, goal aside, he was really sloppy and wasteful. Something then clicked and he went into overdrive. Started ragdolling players, winning the ball back, driving forward, give and goes. Standard stuff from him, really. Second half, he was his usual self and back to being a T-1000.

He made reference to things he was unhappy with a few times in his post-match interview. Said the scoreline didn’t reflect the game. He has a point and all. We played far better against Man U and should have won 5-0. Last night, we were really sloppy and poor in spells. But we were ruthless for a change and were massively helped by some pub league defending. Funny old game.

Hold up play was a lot better than it has been of late. Won a few flick ons and looked faster and sharper. Long may it continue. Wilson and Isak to fire us into the CL.

Won’t happen, due to his lack of minutes and Howe always keeping the same back 5 when he can. But would like Targett in for Burn soon. Willock and Isak to come back in. But can’t drop Joelinton. Would be harsh on ASM and Wilson, too. Longstaff to get a rest?

I’m sure Rice will go to Arsenal. But I’ve said a few times on here, I think he’d make us even better than Maddison. Would be over the moon with either. Both are probably a bit beyond us right now. But I don’t think it’ll be long until we are signing that calibre of English player.

Well…. That was fun MOTM? Who the fuck cares. Just nice that we were fairly ruthless with our finishing for a change.

Never thought I’d want him to be more greedy. But I find myself regularly screaming at him to get by his man or get a shot off. Seems shit scared to lose it or fuck it up going at the defender. Shame.

Probably helped that he was up against Antony. Who seems allergic to going past defenders and just wants to do tricks. Bowen causes better players and actual full backs plenty of problems. His directness is killing Burn.

Lost our way. But still a good position to be in and good to get to HT in the lead. Joelinton was poor in general. Until he went into overdrive at the end there. ASM looks half fit and needs to be more greedy. But still heavily involved in a lot of our good play. Burn is having a mare. Absolutely dreadful. Sloppy passing it out from the back and regularly keep giving it straight back to them. Think Howe and a few subs will get us back on track.

I don’t mind the changes. Wilson loves a goal against these. Midfield still looks solid. Strong bench and the possibility of Gordon, Isak and Willock all starting on Saturday.

Mad that Liverpool managed the double against us. They look dreadful.