Lush Vlad

Yep. He’s quality and with Bissouma also out for a bit. Leaves them short in midfield.

Weirdly, I’m not. Don’t want to appear small time and like I’m just happy for a day out at Wembley. But it’s been so long since we’ve been close to a trophy. Somehow the pressure feels less and not more, to me. I don’t think we’ll beat Man U. But it’s a final. So fuck knows! It is just nice to be competing at the right end of the table and in a cup competition again. I think if we had got to a final under Ashley. I’d be more nervous, as it would feel like a fluke. But whilst it might be a bit naive and overly optimistic. I’d expect us to be challenging a bit more in the future and for this to not just be a one off deal for this season.

I’m torn on this one. They are obviously working to a longer term plan and are hamstrung by FFP and our wages to turnover ratio. Got so much deadwood to clear out and plenty of players being paid way over their worth. Who contribute fuck all to the team. But like you say, we are spread thin and most the subs are there just to fill the bench, it seems. I’m sure they will have weighed up the pros and cons of overpaying a bit now to try and get 1-2 more in and possibly players who are not top of the list. Versus sticking to their guns and playing the long game waiting for their number one targets.

It almost feels like the leap from relegation fodder to top 4 contenders has come too soon. Like if we challenged the top 8, then top 6 and perhaps top 4 after that. Doing it a bit more gradually. Without going on a massive unbeaten run and having one of the meanest defences of recent times. Would it have stopped people twisting so much? Some people have short memories and it feels like expectation levels have shifted too quickly. I’m guilty of it. I have to constantly remind myself after a game where we’ve played poorly. Of just how far we’ve come and how our squad is still closer to mid-lower end of the league. As opposed to top 4 quality. Last night for example, was probably the worst we’ve been in the league since Brighton away. Which was what, our 3rd game of the season? We didn’t lose that day and we didn’t lose last night. Only just over a year ago. We’d be getting beat in both of these games, comfortably.

Just for balance. They didn’t start 3 of their regular back 4, either. Their pace and directness out wide worries me. We have looked a bit exposed there of late.

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-v-everton-merseyside-derby-team-news-0?amp=1 Doesn’t sound like they’ll have too many back on Monday. Hope he rushes some back for this and/or our game and we can take advantage.

Not for two yellows, he wouldn’t.

Oh FFS. Didn’t realise that. Jota would give them a decent option up top and that’s their starting CB’s back.

I think their pace wide with Salah and Nunez running the channels could really hurt us. Bournemouth got loads of joy with that tonight. But their final ball was usually shit. West Ham in the first half and all. That said, they look a shambles at the back, they don’t have the same intensity as before. They never replaced their legs ans injuries have done them, too. It is also a bit like they are in transition between two different playing styles. Not really working for them so far. I think we will get space in attack and on the break for the first time in a while.

Shame he got booked. Took one for the team and he needed to. As we lost it and they were getting away on a counter. Which I guess was why he was so annoyed. But a yellow in the 93rd or whatever it was and one for diving last week. Proper sickener that they both feel so avoidable. He’ll probably miss City…… and Wolves. Might play within himself a bit now and all. One of the few decent players tonight. 3-4 times it seemed like he was blindsided and wasn’t expecting a challenge. Then the Bournemouth player just bounced off him and hit the deck

True enough. But I feel like teams have managed that against us a good few times this season. They did it to us in all three games. Palace were the same in all three, bar the first half at their place. West Ham managed it for most of the time. Howe is top quality and showed he is versatile during his time here and how he has evolved his style since Bournemouth. So I’m sure as we get a better quality of player over the next season or two. Our attacks won’t be so slow and wasteful.

I thought there were signs he was finding his rhythm a bit. Just a bit poor with his final ball, which has usually been the case over the years. It seems his constant injuries are now more of a concern than fitting in with the system or not.

Playoff round for the Conference League. Let’s win it and finish top 5, eh?

I think Liverpool, Man U and Man City (LOOOOLLLLL) as the next three might work in our favour. We might get the chance to play on the break and use some of our willing runners in space for a change. We have a lot of athletes. Just not a lot of technical ability in the final third when teams are sat deep.

Targett was ill for a good couple of weeks, from memory. Then he had his heel issue that he was playing through. Which probably explained why he barely played and why he looked below par when he did play. Depends who we are playing, I reckon. I think there must be some rotation soon. Going to be enforced due to injuries, anyway. But I think it is coming with Burn and Targett at some point.

Quality was lacking a bit. Especially when he gets near the goal. Looks a bit unsure on whether to shoot, cross, pass or take his man on. But he was in good company for that tonight! Work rate is immense, mind. Easy to see why Howe wanted him. He is rapid and gets all over the park. A bit lightweight and naive at times. But at the very least. His pace and ability to pressure are going to be useful. Good start to his NUFC career. I thought he’d maybe start next week, anyway. But with the injuries. That’s nailed on now, I reckon.

He has looked the weak link for a while. Whilst still being solid enough at the back. Seems to be getting more and more exposed, though. Plus he offers nothing going the other way. All well and good saying we should drop him. But who for? Dummett, Ritchie or Lewis?

The second paragraph is worse than the result and performance, for me. We just don’t have Premier League quality back ups to replace any of them long term. Joelinton will be a huge miss for 2 games. Whoever they end up being against. Willock’s looked like a hammy. Which isn’t ideal for someone who relies on pace and you’d imagine will be a few weeks, at least. ASM is made of glass and gets injured too often. So expect him to be out for a while. Almiron? Fuck knows. Kept holding his wrist. Hopefully just a slight sprain.

Crap game and awful performance. We really do look clueless going forward. Should have lost it at the end and all. The injuries are more concerning. Squad is paper thin as it is. Joelinton now basically a game away from a 2 game ban and all. So it’s been a costly night all round. Got to keep reminding myself of how far we’ve come and how early on we are with the rebuild. But it is still frustrating.

Yeah. Before that, it felt like he was running, for the sake of running. Just to show he can graft. “Look at me. Look at me. I’m sprinting 30 yards after a ball I’m never going to keep in play or close down successfully.” Feel like he needs to find the right balance and work in the right areas. Still think he’s been keen to pass it too quickly. When he’s had a chance to do his man. Doesn’t help with Burn behind him, mind. Teams have realised he is our weak link in possession. Offers fuck all when we have the ball. Which is to be expected from a 6ft 7” CB playing at left back, I guess.

Get in there. Mad that it’s the worst we’ve played all season. Yet that goal is some of the best football we’ve played all season Can’t get any worse and that is huge for us. Class bit of skill from Gordon if he meant it!

Willock fully strapped up there. Thought he looked miles off it. Obviously injured coming in and couldn’t play on.

We can’t play out from the back without Bruno. We just pass it side to side between the centre backs.

The passing in general and build up from the back is shambolic. Worst I’ve seen from us this season. Conceding from a corner at the back post again. Piss poor.

In the 3 games against Southampton this season. I thought Ward-Prowse offered fuck all in open play. Really didn’t impress me or seem to do anything much at all. Lavia, Edozie and Salisu would all be decent buys, I reckon. Although Lavia has an option to go back to City, I think.