Lush Vlad

Yeah. I thought he got caught out a bit and his passing wasn’t as crisp. Horrible, risky as fuck pass that led to the Watkins shot and then corners and pressure we didn’t need. Then they scored. Not blaming him for that goal or the defeat, of course. Still goes without saying that he is absolutely class.

Arsenal playing not to lose and trying to game manage 1-0 after half an hour and now losing. Things you love to see. Boring cunts. All that talent and they play such dull football.

Ropey old season from him. But I thought he was superb today. Kept the score down with 2-3 smart stops and the sweeping up in particular stopped more one on ones and probably goals, too. He is unconventional and not always convincing with his saves. But at the same time, he is making them look more routine than they actually are. As he is a big fucker and moves his feet to get across early. Also weirdly better at saves with his feet than he is with his hands. Which is odd. As he can’t kick a ball

‘kin hell.

The majority of the away games we look like that for most the 90. But second half, we’ve rarely looked that toothless at home. Another team that just lets us have it and dares us to break them down. Our only answer is numerous crosses to nobody and the odd half chance or bit of excitement from a corner.

Had to turn it off. Neville and Drury are painful to listen to. Especially when it is Man U. Mildly amusing that Arsenal tried to manage the game from so early at 1-0 and they’ve been awful since. Boring as fuck to watch.

Said it in the tactics thread. But we rarely work proper openings for long shots. It’s all reactionary stuff, off rebounds or a bit of luck with the ball landing to a player. We move the ball painfully slowly. Probably why we don’t take on enough or we get so many blocked. Every game it seems like we have a shit load of shots blocked. I can’t see it being an instruction like some coaches persisted with for a while. Howe even referenced wanting more long shots the other day.

NWOAT. We are discussing this across numerous threads already. Although not in quite a shitty, dickhead way most the time

He is in Europe TBF and I feel like he used to be. Certainly not in the league, though. Even when he is, he misses. Not blaming that miss on him today, mind. Was a hard chance.

Any word on how long he’s out for? Could make or break my week ahead already

This. Although I also think Howe has hung him out to dry with 3 starts across the week. Especially when his legs have clearly gone and he’s just back from injury. Not being smart after the event. I said as much during the week. Broken clocks and all that

Oh 100%. But there were quite a few times where he was back to goal and just flat footed, then leaning into the CB’s for some reason. Never going to win that battle. Yet never ready to receive the ball on the move. Even when he had space his play looked sloppy and often played the wrong pass or made the wrong decision. I think/hope it is down to rustiness, fitness and a new system. As he looks horrendous for the money, if not.

Yeah. I don’t like Barnes on the right. Even if his numbers are still quite good there and he puts in the odd good ball. Especially if Trippier is going to keep playing. They look like a couple of strangers down that side

Thought he was below par and a bit safe and sideways first half. Almost single handedly tried to get us back in it second half. Hopefully he can start playing with more intent and aggression like that. As he was brilliant at it and they couldn’t really live with him a lot of the time.

Fairly bright TBF. Looked to have a go at his man and get crosses in. The small steps continue. But 3 positive performances in a row. Worth a start at some point, surely?

What has happened to him? Still got the energy and workrate. But he was never this sloppy on the ball and he is also developing a habit of not knowing where his man or midfield runners are. Often ball watching.

He was the one bright spark. Quality for basically the whole game. Miley second half and Pope the only others that played well. Perhaps should have closed Buendia down quicker. But at the same time, he was the ONLY fucker that seemed to realise these love a long shot. I think Tonali is still looking for him.

Yes. 100%.

How the fuck did we have 2.30 xG Bar the two top saves/bad miss from Tonali first half. We never looked like scoring. Can barely remember a decent chance second half.

The reverse of Wednesday. Where his general play was much better. Not even going to get stuck into him. But I just can’t remember anything he did that was decent today?

Howe’s fault for starting him. The vast majority of this board said he’d struggle with 2-3 games across a week a couple of years ago. Just back from injury and looking a lot more leggy than ever. Villa is not the game to play him. Especially when Miley has been so assured there and Ramsey had a mini run of form. Before going back to the bench.

What’s he done wrong? Made a load of decent stops and swept up well twice when they’d be scoring other wise. What have I missed? Did he not save an unmarked header from 3 yards so he’s been shit or something?

His predictable subs and refusal to try something different. Even when we are playing like a bag of shit and don’t look like scoring for 90 hours, never mind minutes. Is starting to get frustrating, I must say.

Pathetic performance. Too much wrong to be able to summarise in a few lines. Pope, Botman and Miley the only ones that can take anything out the game IMO.

Surprised, but also not surprised Trippier came back out for the second half. Shouldn’t have even started.