Lush Vlad

Very small sample size. But I would be more than happy with him as our number 3. Possibly even 2 if we can get a few quid for Dubravka and his wages off the books. His distribution was tidy and made a couple of quality saves. Not seen the second back today. A few saying he should have done better. But that feels a bit harsh. Not sure on his Alan Partridge driving gloves, mind

Yeah Dalot on a yellow was a nightmare for them. As I thought Maxi had him on toast a few times. Wan Bissaka is superb in them 1 on 1 situations and having him as an option off the bench was massive for the fuckers. Even with ASM having a poor second half. He still managed to get by him or find space a few times. Just the final ball let him down.

Yeah. He was class. Few Mancs sat behind me. They were commenting between themselves on how good he was and they couldn’t deal with him, glad he didn’t start etc. He has looked best in a bit of a withdrawn role, off the front man. Gets in some really nice positions and just glides about the pitch. But even factoring that in, I think he should be getting a start up top now. Can’t see Howe starting both and changing the system any time soon.

I do find the ridiculous standards he is held to a bit odd. Certain fans, including two I was with at the game yesterday. Seem to expect him to skin players, get a shot or cross away or generally make something happen. Every time he gets it. We have a team loaded with players that try hard and plenty of them are quality. But no real match winners or creative types that will create something out of nothing. Yet ASM cops all/most the flak?! You’re never going to get that level of consistency from a flair, low percentage player. If you did, they would not be playing for us. It reminds me of how some were with Ben Arfa. In particular, the cunt in charge at the time. I love the bloke. I want him to stay and fight for his place and improve as a player and in what he brings to the team. I’m just not sure he fits long term or if he would be happy to play second fiddle and have spells out the team. At the very least. Between now and the end of the season. I think he will be a massive player for us. We are struggling to score and create since the turn of the year and we will need ASM to help with that.

Still looks like he is stuck between trying to be a team/system/Howe player and his usual maverick self. It’s resulting in indecision and shit passes when he should be more greedy. Either that, or his passing is just generally terrible

Gutted and proud in equal measure. We were just a bit shit in the big moments and they weren’t. Ah well. There’s always next year…..

Play Isak where? Change the formation that has worked for 80% of the season for our biggest game of the season?

Been up since 6 and was waking up every couple of hours last night. Quick gym session to try and take my mind off it for an hour.

The pitch at Wembley is basically exactly the same dimensions as SJP, isn’t it?

Absolute whopper.

Looks superb and great fun at Trafalgar Square, on the trains and London in general. But FFS, every video seems to be ‘Bruno in the middle.’ Really need to sort our songbook out.

Nah. I’m nowhere near that mindset. Just haven’t found myself getting nervous for this game. When I’m usually a bag of nerves and really struggle with pressure in sport and even meaningless games we’re involved with. Last night it arrived and I’m absolutely buzzing for it. Shitting like I’ve got dysentery now

@Paully So many questions.

Looks like the one mackem lad was about to give it the generic football fan gesture of “come over here then.” Then realised they were on different coaches on the motorway

There was something on Twitter about 5 football/Toon friendly pubs around King’s Cross. No idea what account shared it now? London Mags? I think The Dolphin was one they mentioned. Used to be Little Creatures Brewery. But Babel Beerhouse (up near Coal Drops Yard) has some decent, if expensive, beers in. If that is more your bag. But doubt there would be many football fans in there.

Didn’t it seem like it was nailed on that Karius would be leaving? Then he was extended and Darlow was loaned out? Might just be from a financial point of view. But it could also be that Howe thinks Karius has a chance to be the number 3 or possibly even 2, longer term.

Could mean Willock off the bench? When Miggy has ran himself into the ground, as usual. Or for ASM if we’re fortunate enough to have a lead? I can’t see how you drop ASM after that last game. But Howe does like his tried and tested team. I know everyone seems to be saying Burn is looking worse and more exposed due to ASM in front of him. But now Bruno is back, Joelinton can shift back across to the left and get back to playing 2-3 positions at once

Pope’s cousin lives round the corner from me. See him yesterday in the gym. He’s not going on Sunday. But he has been to about 70-80% of our games this season. Along with his old man and brother. Maybe they were the tickets

Think I’ve been fairly non-plussed by it all so far. Been quite busy with work and day to day stuff in general. Last night I started getting pretty nervous about Sunday, when I was watching the Fulham game. First cup final related dream and all.

Belter of a goal.

Yep. They’ve been really impressive. Helps us if they get a result here. But we play them in a couple of weeks and I’d rather they didn’t play like this!

Doesn’t he supposedly want £300k a week or something daft? Which is why he hasn’t signed a new deal. Can’t see us paying the wages that Mount would want.

I did a 1er on Man U at 4/6 for this same reason. I‘ll have a couple of small bets tomorrow and any returns will go on Man U and all.

Should look something like that. That’s off Google. Mine is basically the same and it was for the NFL and all.

With every game, where they start slowly and look like they’ll concede every time the other team comes forward. To then dominating the second half and finding a way to win. I get a little less confident. Ah well, their run has to end at some point. So let’s hope it’s us.