Lush Vlad

Did pretty well coming on in a difficult situation. But the difference between him and Pope is massive. Glued to his line for crosses in comparison and is certainly slower to get out to the ball when he needs to come out and collect.

I know you can’t legislate for the chaos that followed. But even for the red card. It was an absolutely awful free kick that was just asking for Alisson to come and get it. That gave them a chance for that direct counter. Which is often a part of their game with Salah. I feel he was slightly more at fault than Schar for both goals. But everyone has an off day.

I know we’ll lose Big Joe for a couple of games soon. But I feel like some of the options and competition for places will help us turn our form around. Targett, Willock and Bruno hopefully all coming back in the next game or two. With ASM now finding a bit of form and fitness and also Gordon pushing for a start. With hopefully Wilson staying fit and his minutes being managed so he can contribute. Suddenly the squad looks a bit better. It might be the spark that we need and also help us stop becoming too predictable.

I think that’s fair. But I also think he is bringing Gordon in slowly. He will be starting after the final, I reckon. I know it is rare to have pretty much all of your squad fit and available. But with Targett coming back, Bruno and hopefully Willock soon. We might suddenly have some genuine options and competition for a few positions. I think if we then persisted with the same personnel all the while and with no real tweaks to the formation or system. Then there would be something to be a bit more critical about.

Personally thought he misjudged the flight/bounce or Salah was just getting there first because of his pace, anyway. I don’t think there was ever really a chance to get a foot to it and he thought ‘fuck it. I’ve come out this far’ and then launched himself at it for a diving header. Would have been better off trying to somehow show him wide and then try and get back. But it’s all split second decisions at breakneck speed.

No.

He seemed to be smiling and saying he wanted to carry on. So I’m guessing it isn’t serious. Since his move to midfield. He has always been playing through some kind of injury and regularly getting treatment, it seems. I don’t think he is like ASM or Wilson. Where a slight strain seems to turn into weeks/months out. Just got to hope it is a bit of tightness and nothing more.

He’ll probably be up against Wan Bissaka in the final, mind. Not many players get the better of him. ASM might be coming off the wing a lot to find some space. Which might be a good thing. Luckily for us. Wan Bissaka isn’t great going the other way.

The teams are kind of stacking up behind us now. Yet despite us being on a bad run, compared to the high standards we have set. We still haven’t been overhauled. Of course Spurs can go above us later. But we’d still have a game in hand. I do see it as more of a top 6 race for the teams from 4th-10th now. But we’re not the only ones that have questions to answer. Spurs - they’ve not been particularly good and I think Bentancur is a huge loss for them. Fulham - over-achieving massively. Not sure they will keep it up. But they have been hanging round the top 7-8 all season, TBF to them. Brighton - I keep thinking they look outstanding and our biggest threat for top 4. But their form says otherwise and still seem to lack a consistent goal threat up top. Liverpool - players coming back from injury. But they still look horrendous at the back, awful away from home and totally wide open. A more ruthless team kills them off last night. Somehow more encouraged about finishing above them after seeing us play them. Brentford - I just don’t think they are good enough to get into Europe. Chelsea - keep expecting them to turn it around. Yet they seem to be getting worse. Long may it continue! I think City is a write off. But after that, we have a mixture of easier fixtures and some massive home games that could define our season in regards to a European place.

If he is over this hamstring niggle. Then Wilson will start. I would go with that 11, though.

Used to always try and get a ticket in the Gallowgate. My mates seats in the Leazes are superb. But it’s always dead there. The sound just doesn’t carry round the stadium, full stop. Steawberry corner sometimes gets going loud enough so others join in and you can hear it on the TV. Used to have my ST up in L7 and I’ve been in there with neutrals who couldn’t believe how loud and lively it was. Watch it back on the box and you hear fuck all.

I’m pretty sure he’ll start the final. But I think I’d rather Isak started. Just with his pace and movement to create space and the way he linked up with ASM. Especially on the break. Wilson really hasn’t been himself since Covid. Looks leggy and half a yard off it.

I thought we were before the WC or were basically bang on, whilst defending well? Also Miggy had that mad run of 9 goals vs 4.5 or whatever it was. I thought it was recently we have started underperforming. Hence the lack of goals. It’s fine margins in elite level sport, either way. Miggy puts us 1 up today and then who knows. Plenty of games where we have won by the odd goal or we have scored a worldy or two and nothing gets said after. I don’t think it is necessarily the case for this team. But results can massively paper over the cracks when it comes to performances. We’ve played worse than tonight and got a point or three this season.

Only the one game. I think/hope!

We don’t have a big enough squad or even good enough players 1-11 for top 4. We had players performing above their usual level for a long while. We were over-performing our xG for a good while, as well. We have had players half-fit or missing through injury and suspension. Other teams have figured us out a bit and have plenty of tape on how we play. There are valid reasons/excuses for basically all of what you’ve said. We have basically over-achieved since Leeds away last January or whenever it was. Some people just like to moan and look for the negatives. But we’re all different and that’s fine.

Massive lack of communication and a bit of indecision for both goals between Trippier and Schar, I thought. They’ve been superb this season. Just happens that a couple of split second mistakes tonight. Have meant they’ve got in off decent passes, first touches and then finished well to punish our errors.

Such a shame for him and also a big blow to our chances of lifting the cup. Genuinely said to a few mates earlier. He hasn’t put a foot wrong for us all season. So knowing our luck, the mistake will come in our game later. Didn’t think it would be that big of a howler when it finally arrived, mind. Still absolutely class and one of the best in the league. Him playing high and sweeping up is massive for us. So I hope it doesn’t dent his confidence too much.

Whilst really disappointed with two poor pieces of defending (good play from them, as well) and a moment of madness from Pope. I’m somehow happier with that than the last two games. Thought we played really well and showed some fight and plenty of heart. Just an absolute shitter about Pope missing the final.

Whilst Arsenal’s regular mid-late season capitulation is hilarious. I’m glad they won, showed some resilience and kept the pressure on City. I know it’s fashionable to hate Liverpool. But without them. The last 5 seasons would have just been pure dominance from City. With nobody getting near. Arsenal’s turn to run them close this season, I hope. Ours hopefully not long after…..

Yeah. They often feel flat and boring. With the crowd half asleep and not pissed enough. That seemed like a belter.

Funny that Martinez has been playing the clown again all game and he’s scored an OGGY Some game that by the sounds of it. Only caught the last 20 and the rest on the radio.

Classy goal from Kevin Keeganratskheila.

What was the one where Given genuinely stopped them scoring about 12? Was it 5 or 6-1 and Given left not long after.

All the British and local lads. Plus Bruno and his old man don’t know why that amused me. But it did.

A real barn burner, as the Yanks would say. Really enjoyed that. Whilst also making me even more nervous for the final.