Lush Vlad

He is rapid. Thought he got in the way a bit early on and wanted too many touches, like so many of our players. But he caused them no end of bother with his movement and direct running. He did well in a similar role against Marseille (glad those wankers are out). But this was up another level.

Weathered the storm and we were wide open through the middle for 20 minutes. But we adjusted and they then really struggled with our shape and out press. Brave as fuck to have one of your CB’s going 70 yards up the pitch. The subs were then spot on. As between Gordon and Barnes. We had 3-4 decent enough chances and arguably should have snatched it at the end. He’s also brought fringe players like Willock and Elanga back into the fold. Who did their jobs and performed better than I was expecting. Along with Ramsey who I thought was superb (still needs to release it/get a shot off quicker). That performance gives you hope that you could mix it with the big boys on any given day. So close, yet so far. Now to just get through the playoffs. Fair fucking play I say.

Didn’t think I’d be sat here disappointed with a 1-1 draw. After a ropey first 15-20. We grew into it and more than held our own. Felt like we had the bigger moments and chances. To a man, they executed the game plan and played their hearts out. I thought Thiaw, Botman, Ramsey, Pope and Willock (after 30 mins) were all great. Fuck it. They were all good.

I’m not confident at all. But as much as the saying is usually cliched bollocks. It is a bit of a ‘free hit’. A draw will see us a few places higher for the play-off draw. But an unlikely win and we’re straight through. I’m hoping it will mean I’m calm after the game, regardless of the result. But I highly doubt I will be. I find it hard to be objective and measured in the heat of the moment.

Front 3 of Gordon, Osula and Elanga. Just punt it up there and let them do zoomies like they’re some greyhounds up the dog park.

He’s done his usual pre-game post on insta.

This will be the game we decide not to TBF, I think we go with that tactic when teams are happy to cede possession to us. As we have no other way of trying to create. I don’t think PSG will be doing that. So counters and long balls into space to turn them around might be our best bet.

Similar to Marseille? Gordon and Elanga narrower behind the striker? Although I think Gordon started that one up top. Prefer the 3 at the back formation when we do seem to play the usual wide men more infield. Not particularly keen on it though, I must say.

Really? He wants to go back to Brazil I thought? Plus his attitude stinks.

And plenty on here were saying we need to manage his minutes so he doesn’t break down and he is fit and firing. Not playing through various niggles, like a lot of seasons. Straight after returning from…. a groin injury. I’m assuming it’s the same one that has gone again? He then started 7 out of 8 games in 27 days. Oh and the one he didn’t start, he still played 50 minutes plus added time. As it went to extra time and pens. I often think plenty on here complain about injuries through hindsight. Like a knock or an impact injury proves their point and they shouldn’t have been playing. But this is nothing like that. It was obvious and everyone was saying it BEFORE it even happened and before he had starting playing so many minutes. I thought Howe was rotating quite well earlier in the season. I know injuries have fucked us in certain areas. But it’s like he’s back to his tried and tested best XI / 13 or so that he chooses from. Then just roll with that every 3-4 days.

Nothing wrong with those quotes. Apart from maybe the bit about right backs It will irk people though. Because he has talked a good game for ages now. All whilst being overpaid based on his output and regularly dropping average to poor performances.

Should it?

It’s been a feature of Howe’s time here. We are poor at building attacks from the back and we really need Bruno as the link man. When he’s not there or playing as an 8. It’s a lot of passing along the back line and trying to get down the flanks. Before we invariably lose it. Or it’s a long diagonal, which we’re not great at without Schar. Even when Bruno plays further forward. He soon gets fed up and starts dropping. He was doing it after 5-10 minutes the other week, I think against Wolves? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that teams realise Tonali is poor on the ball, especially under pressure and having to shift it quickly. They can also easily cut off passing lanes and funnel the ball where they want. Such as to Burn when he is playing left back. Nowhere near as easy when Bruno plays there. As he is press resistant, his passing is better, he can find space and also wins fouls or gets away on the half turn. Teams have already nullified Elanga, Gordon and Woltemade in our system. So not sure why Tonali would be any different. I can see the argument for keeping him deeper. As that is where he has looked at his best previously and he offers the defensive cover to the back 4. However I can’t see how anyone can watch us and think we are ‘fine’ when trying to build possession or dictate play. An actual DM who is comfortable on the ball and sits that bit deeper would be ideal. But we’ve been saying that for years and Howe seems dead against it for some unknown reason.

I know you’re half taking the piss here. But people who get bent out of shape about veganism always make me laugh. Like most say they care about animal welfare and cruelty, the environment, not eating food pumped full of unnatural shit. Yet they also see vegans as lepers I’m anything but a vegan. I’ve tried to eat less meat at times across a week or a month. I’ve failed miserably every time. I do still try and buy decent quality meat with high welfare standards and I don’t really eat pork through choice. But that’s about it. I admire them, if anything. Takes a lot of discipline and research to eat right like that all the time. Unless they’re one of the militant, preachy, sanctimonious ones. But that applies to a lot of things. Religion, atheism, politics, half the posters on here etc Anyway, back to Big Nick. He looks like he needs a good steak dinner…..

He puts in some decent crosses when he cuts in TBF. Should have more assists from that alone. He is actually good at beating his man down the line and all. Even if his left foot crosses are hit and miss and he is reluctant to do so. It’s his shooting and unthreatening passing that is more of a concern. Along with when he keeps cutting into traffic and it’s never on. So we lose it and then he plods back looking depressed.

I see the aggro Unce and Dads have found out he likes fashion and is a pescatarian, but mentioned veganism. Down with that sort of things.

Well, more importantly. I hope the surgery goes ok mate.

Can’t see us getting fuck all. Just keep the score down and no more injuries, please. That’s the spirit etc

So was I! Luckily it seemed like the Villa attackers were equally scared. When this big, lumbering, fenland oaf came charging out towards them

The 'like for like' change with our strikers every time we need a goal, is painful. Possibly my biggest gripe this season. Especially when they have attributes that should, or at least could, compliment each other well. In Howe's defence, Wissa has been getting back up to speed and Woltemade played a lot of minutes. But with Osula coming back. I don't think there can be any more excuses. The seemingly pre-planned changes at 60-65 minutes for more of the same can't continue.

Nick is too nice. I could never imagine him trying to fight the other team, their bench, their fans. Oh and the ref He certainly could do with an NFL off-season of hitting the gym and getting bulked up, mind. That or he needs to somehow be more cute in winning free kicks. He doesn't look physical enough and gets disposed too easily now. CB's have been getting aggressively tight to him for a while and he (and the Howe and the team) have not adjusted.

Love the bit at the end, as well. How different it could have been It's for set pieces. But it must have a bearing on how you strike the ball from range and it sounds like something they would also work on.

If Barnes got a solid run on the left. I'd imagine his return would be a lot more than 2 penalties and 1 assist. I mean, from playing left and right and sub apps. His numbers are quality this season. Gordon brings more defensively and with his work rate and threat in behind. Which is hard to quantify. I believe he has more chances created per 90, for example. But I also think Barnes is better with building attacks and trying to recycle the ball when he is out there. Which again, is hard to quantify with basic stats. They're probably on a similar amount of minutes now. But the caveat for me is that Barnes is playing out of position and still delivering. Despite looking poor in that position, IMO. Gordon is getting to play where he wants and regularly putting in below average performances.

I think it is more because he has a howler in him and is an absolute nobhead. I get the impression sometimes even his own players get sick of him. Did you see when he faked injury yesterday. Even Konsa rolled his eyes and had that look of 'FFS, not this again' I don't think people genuinely believe he is crap keeper. His distribution is elite, makes great saves and claims the ball a lot better than I remember. Not that we noticed, our crosses and set pieces were still kicked directly to him for 90 minutes

So many of ours ball watching. Botman the only one who thought it might be a good idea to try and close him down. But I think Buendia had 3 touches to set himself 20-25 yards out and all the time in the world to look up and pick his spot. Nowhere near good enough from us. Tonali just left him run off him and had no clue where he was. I think there were a couple of others the other side looking right at him with no man occupying them. Just staring at him admiring the finish. They must have been drilled beforehand on closing down space and not letting them get shots away from distance, due to how proficient they are at it. Apparently not