Lush Vlad

Man U’s midfield has been top drawer. DESMOND! Some game this.

If this Man U turn up a week on Sunday. Then God help us

Another one where I’m questioning the net man! Did absolutely twat that, mind. Rashford is superb.

Should De Gea not be doing better with that?! I always feel like I’m massively harsh on keepers. But if you’re one of the highest paid players in the world and supposedly one of the top keepers. I feel like you shouldn’t be getting beat by that header.

Popcorn all over the place in the stands

I feel like somehow, the Champions League lost some of it’s interest over here when it was moved off ITV. Remember everyone at school talking about it. Can’t remember when it moved to Sky and then BT. But it doesn’t seem as popular when talking to football fans now. Whereas it used to be the Holy Grail.

I think before, when all we really had to look forward over the season were the sunderland and boro games. Whilst I goy nervous and it was a love/hate thing. They were often the only exciting parts of a season. Now we are seemingly decent, competitive and a well run and rich club. I’m not sure I want the hassle of more derbies and the missus’ family giving me shit. They can stay where they are

For games where I was in the stadium, HBA vs Stoke, albeit against 9 men for a lot of the game and Tiote on his debut vs Everton really stand out for me. Tiote had 100% pass completion rate, I think. I'm probably overrating it. As he was just totally different to any other midfielder we'd had for a good while and I couldn't believe how simple he made everything look. HBA wasn't bad that day, either. Leon Best with his hat trick against West Ham I think these are more my favourite performances of games I've been at. As opposed to genuine 10/10 games. In more recent times, if it's all games. Then Joelinton vs Man U and ASM vs City are up there.

I thought this the other day. I've only seen them twice and they have looked decent and they have been in and around the playoffs for a while. Although, apart from the top two, where there has been a gap most the season. The league has been ridiculously tight. Hard to rule anyone out of nabbing a playoff space late on, all the way down to about 18th place. Think there is more chance of getting a Prem 'derby' against Boro, mind. They are absolutely flying now.

I certainly enjoyed it at the time. I do remember a few games where we were utter crap and maybe had one shot on target all game. But somehow ended up winning 1-0. When the results are going for you, you don't tend to care too much. QPR at home sticks out in my mind as the perfect example. There were some decent performances, as well, of course. But using hindsight. The team was far more talented than any other assembled under Ashley and players hit the best form of their careers at different stages of the season. We relied heavily on individual brilliance, goal of the year contenders and a pretty solid defence.

He looks like a Thunderbird. The ageless swine.

They should have bought Shelvey.

I suppose if you have a style. You stick to it. But they have basically conceded three from over-playing at the back. City were going long first half when they had to. They’ve now stepped up this half and have really started pressing them. Arsenal keep giving it to them in dodgy areas

They might get back into this game. But Arsenal always seem to threaten and then fall away after Christmas. I’m sure I’ve seen this with them and Man U over the years. Possibly getting found out, as they also seem to lack squad depth. Much like ourselves. That said, whilst they were good finishes/moves. They have gifted City two goals. Always going to struggle doing that.

They did seem pretty open last night and pulled all over, like you say. My worries going into the game was their pace and directness in wide areas. Watching last night hardly calmed those fears. Nunez, for all that his finishing has become a bit of a running joke. Is a really talented player. Rapid, strong and plays off both feet. Both full backs bomb on and we all know how good Salah is. Even if VVD is back. He was having a rough season by his standards and he won't be sharp and match fit, I wouldn't have thought. So I hope the likes of Wilson, Almiron, Isak, ASM and Gordon can cause problems to their back 4 and are able to exploit the acres of space we should find.

This. He looked slow, unathletic and didn't do a great deal in any of our three games against them. I think his technique on the ball, outrageous amount of goals from free kicks and the odd worldie on MOTD has meant a lot of people seem to overrate him as a player. Think we can and will aim higher.

It seemed like Gordon got more of the free role the other night. But assuming he is fit, I would prefer ASM playing in a similar position. If as expected, Willock misses out and Wilson is on the bench/saved for the cup. Gordon can help Burn at the back a bit more effectively. Whilst also being a threat cutting inside and also down the line. I’ve always though ASM Was far better out wide. But not counting his apps as some kind of makeshift striker. As Ponsaelius says, he has only ever played centrally under Bruce during his time here. So hard to judge.

Bellamy and I think Gerrard spoke about this under Benitez. Like it was a set move repped again and again. Where everyone had to play the pass at a certain point, attack a certain area etc. I’m sure it is common place at the top level. But Bellamy said how rigid it was and that it didn’t suit him at all. I can half see it with ASM. As he seems to have the beating of his man at times. But where he would usually lose it trying to skin someone. He is losing it from a loose pass, instead. His passing and end product have often been poor, mind. His crossing is actually better than he’s given credit for. Just never used to do it enough.

Thought this was the geezer that used to always post joke line ups, at first

Willock looked to have his hammy issue before the game. He looked miles off it. Was either strapped before or during the match and then he had to come off. I can't imagine we'll be seeing him for a while. Shit that he probably misses the final. For us as a team and also for him personally. I think he has been carrying a knock for a while. I'm sure I've seen him flexing his knee and hamstring a couple of times across different games of late and then slightly limping about in obvious discomfort.

I think subconsciously, it must play a part. I know they are pro athletes, so they should be able to blank things out better than you or I would. But it's not like they are a group of players that regularly get to finals or are often involved in massive, high pressure one off games. It's a new thing for a lot of the squad. It must come into their thinking somewhere about not wanting to get injured, for example. Fans at other clubs were saying the same about their players prior to the world cup. Some mentioned it about Wilson and all. But he genuinely did just look a bit fucked and still hasn't looked himself since Covid. So not saying there was anything in that.

Get this in the Ace Posts thread.

Missed this earlier. That was why they were playing Hang The DJ at the end of the game. Wankers.

Thiago being out is good news for us. As I think he is class and they have had injuries in there already this season. Plus players out of form, who’s legs have gone or just not particularly suited to their style in midfield. I still think their pace and directness out wide will cause us problems. But it should be a more open game than we have had of late. Despite them trying to be more ‘compact’ (Rafa ™️) and change their ways a bit.

Sounds like he’ll be fit for Liverpool based on Howe’s post match comments? Hope so. Need him if Willock is out for a while and no Gordon in the final.