Lush Vlad

Longstaff, BDB or ASM.

5. Thought CM was the biggest need going in. Still do and we’ve not addressed it. I’m fine with them looking more long term and not signing players for the sake of it like Forest and Chelsea. But it always felt like we were going to lose a player or two to suspension or injury and Howe has been using all 4 CM’s in his regular XI. Gordon might mean we can change formation and personnel, of course. But I was hoping we’d sign a recognised CM, preferably one that could sit a bit deeper. Gordon could be great. But it’s a lot of money for potential and what he might become under Howe. Don’t know much about Ashby. But hardly a risk at the price.

Eh? Doesn’t he kick the ball and then follow through and catch him on the shin with his studs? Only half watching. Didn’t look like a pen. Martinez and Bruno kicking off about diving earlier. Every time I look up Man U players are chucking themselves to the floor.

Lasted 10 seconds

Just found out it is level 2 Club Wembley. In the Toon end. Thank fuck!

If my ticket falls through for any reason. I’ll 100% be travelling up to Newcastle to watch it. Got no interest in being in London to watch it if I’m not going to Wembley.

Think I have a ticket sorted through a mate’s family. Someone’s work has sorted a load of tickets. So I’m guessing they have Club Wembley. We can get neutral (which it probably will be) or Newcastle for £550.

Given him plenty of stick, some probably deserved, plenty of it probably not. He has been making those runs all season and then either fluffing the chance or final ball. In fairness, the last couple of games he has put some lovely balls across and no fucker has gambled. He covers so much ground and almost plays as some kind of winger at times. But I have always thought his quality on the ball just isn't good enough. Still had some ropey moments on the ball again last night. But he has won us the tie in the first 20 minutes. So happy for him, imagine how he is feeling?! It's the best part of his game, ghosting into the box unmarked. Not sure he will get the freedom of the city like Southampton gave him last night. But he has still been doing that most weeks. So hopefully he can start chipping in with more goals and assists off the back of these runs now. Bruno's ban has come at a terrible time for him, mind. As I'm guessing he'll now have to play deeper and he won't get many chance to make that late run.

I thought they would do it on loyalty points. But I suppose it is a neutral venue and not an away one. SteV seems pretty confident it's going to be cup game based and he seems to be the box office insider on here. I think I have three potential avenues for tickets. But a couple are Club Wembley and one is through an FA contact, as a mate's Dad always seems to get tickets for various cup finals and big games at Wembley. They are going to be pricey as hell. But within reason, I'll pay it.

Apart from before the world cup I think it was. Where he did seem to drop off for a game or two. I am really not seeing this, despite plenty saying the same. He still is about the only player in the side that regularly attempts, never mind completes through balls. His defensive work is superb and is one of our only players who is competent at receiving the ball under pressure and not losing it. Whenever we have highlights of our games, he always seems to be involved in the build up, directly creating the chance or the shot itself. I think he is trying to force it a bit at times and does try his samba skills in some weird areas. But I think it is an absolute myth that he has been 'worse' since his kid was born.

I thought he lost his head a bit second half. But weirdly, as awful as the slow mo's and the still images look. I didn't think he went in to do him, for all that it was a red. Just a fraction late and his studs are up. So once you make contact like that, it's usually going to be given. He should have been booked not long before. Seemed fuming for not getting what looked like a foul and then getting done for handball. Left one on Lavia (I think it was?) and then about a minute later, looked to put a naughty one on him from behind. I said his emotional nature would result in him getting a red or two for us over the years. Wasn't quite expecting it so soon!

I thought he was getting into it a bit before he went off. Their changes meant he got a bit more space and was causing their CB's problems. He started the Fulham and Leicester games poorly, the same as this one and then grew into it as time went on. He just looks a yard slower, he gasses early and he almost seems a bit heavy. He looked a lot quicker than I was expecting when he first signed. But he just looks a bit leggy currently.

I think Murphy might start out wide and not ASM..... Longstaff will sit deepest of the midfield 3. Which after last night, seems a bit of a waste. Even when he was missing chances, the best part of his game are those late runs he makes into the box and the channel.

Yeah. Was happy with the subs. But they never really worked. Almiron was a bit wasteful in space and refused to take it wide and hesitated a couple of times. Both he and Willock had yet again put another monumental shift in. So replacing them made sense. I actually thought Wilson was just getting involved in the game after a fairly poor first half. He was annoying their centre backs constantly and had a bit more room to operate after their changes at half time.

Shit journey up, detour off the A1 because of a smash up. Shit journey back. Making record time and then the A1 was closed with seemingly 5-6 maze like diversions in place. One of which was a roundabout, that sent you back the way you came Got back at 3, up at half 6 for work. Was it worth it? Abso-fucking-loutely. Atmosphere was strange. Quality pre-game and I loved the DJ set and a little bop about the place. Got loud after the first goal, but also a bit flat somehow. Like nobody wanted to fully commit to saying it. But it seemed like most fans knew we were getting through and that first goal kind of sealed the deal and then everyone relaxed. Felt needlessly nervy and edgy when we were defending really well and not letting them create anything. Bar the Armstrong change, which was only really due to Trippier's mistake. Got really loud after the red and towards the end when we knew we were going through. I get we don't really concede and we are always winning or drawing games. So the expectation level will be higher, it's natural. But we seem better as a fan base when the game is really tight or we're facing a bit of adversity. Seems like most people are half asleep or fucking off for a pie at 40 minutes when we are dominating games Anyway, I don't want to bitch and moan. I was basically smiling from the minute I walked in at half 7 until I left. Fucking love this club again.

I wonder if potential signings are being made aware of their fans going on like mental cunts and are being put off. Like do they get shown videos of some of their fans hounding the players in their cars or point out how the owners can’t attend games? Maybe they translate those Everton chats on Twitter for them and show them the booing seagull meme and all

Weaker at centre mid, I mean. Should have made that clear. I know the argument is that Joelinton is now more likely to play CM and not used out wide now we have Gordon. But he was always included in the 4 fit players for 3 CM positions. Shelvey is now gone and we only really have 4 senior CM’s on the books. Plus Anderson, who has been better out wide and looked miles short of what is currently required when played centrally. I know we can go with more of a 4-2-3-1. But Howe has seemed reluctant to change anything and the 4-3-3 has been so solid and successful. Who can blame him.

I do feel harsh criticising the current set up. As it is obviously a million miles away from what we had before and they are clearly looking a lot more long term. But I have to say, if we somehow get weaker and have less genuine centre mid options. When I think this was our biggest need going into the window. Then I tend to agree with 5/10.

Need to get a chant going about him and his cat

Year older than Gordon and a better pedigree in the league, full England international. Isn’t that outrageous, really. For all that I don’t think he is worth that for us at this time.

No chance they paid £10m. Only seen that reported by someone who seemed to be taking the piss on Twitter. Then everyone seemed to run with it. Anyone reputable actually reported a fee?

I’ve not really been nervous about it at all until this morning. Heart skipping a beat and all sorts. Going to be inside SJP the earliest I’ve ever been, I think. Got to see Schak spin some tunes

I did think if we only signed one player this window. It would have been a CM. So it is a bit of a concern that we have let Shelvey go and might be struggling to get a replacement in. Agree with @NWMagthink the formation we finished with at Fulham might be used a bit. If needed to break teams down or because of injuries forcing our hand.

Aye. Had a quick snoop around Naples when we were nearby. Pretty full on.

Minor thing and probably just me being an old fashioned twat. But I don’t like it when people don’t stand up to shake someone’s hand when being introduced. Anderson? and Burn seemed totally uninterested in meeting him. Although TBF. Burn looked like he was getting stuck into some beans on toast or something