Lush Vlad

Yeah, I agree that he is wasted on there. Caulkin I find hit and miss. But often on the pod, whenever some tactical or in depth chat is offered by Waugh. It is just Caulkin and the idiot host getting stuck into him. The ‘banter’ on it makes it unlistenable, most the while.

Haha. That was one of my gripes this morning. Started going on about how well Joelinton and Willock linked up against Southampton. Joelinton was banned Hurst regularly used to go on about ASM and Joelinton being left footed, and all. I still listen to it and some of them seem sound. I'm sure I'd be shit at it doing it in that format and when you're kind of put on the spot. But I honestly think there is more interesting and insightful analysis down the pub when I watch a game.

City were really arrogant against us and ASM in particular, mind. They regularly left Walker totally exposed 1 on 1 against ASM. There aren't many defenders in world football who could handle him when on form and with basically the entire flank to attack. Which is why basically every team we play doubles and even trebles up on him, at times. I think there was a good analysis piece put together by one of the Twitter statto types. Explaining the setup and Howe being brave with the press and where he left players high, to expose that space on the counter. Like, don't the City fullbacks often tuck into a kind of central role when they build attacks in possession. Leaving a lot of room if you nick the ball back and a lot of ground to make up for Walker or the left back. EDIT - not taking anything away from ASM. As he was unstoppable that day and looking back at those highlights. They did start trying to get a midfielder across to help out. But he still kept taking the piss

I usually don't mind TF. But found the last two a tough slog and turned the last one off. There are a few on there that all merge into one, who don't really offer any insight or have much to say that you don't hear down the pub or at the match. Constantly getting things wrong and just seem to be involved as they're all mates. Hurst seems like a bellend on social media, but he's a good host on there I think. There are a couple of more analytical types and some of the more jovial ones who I like listening to. I'm going to sound like a massive sexist here for singling her out and I'm sure she is a nice person. But Charlotte is fucking awful on there. It's like me talking to my sister, who doesn't really follow football, about a game. After she has just done a night shift and then had a few bong hits for good measure. She genuinely comes out with some of the worst analysis I have ever heard and it boils down to things like 'run faster' and 'why are we passing the ball to the wrong person'. It is painful to listen to.

They've only won 2 at home against Forest and Leeds all season. Scoring only 9 goals in their 7 home games. They have certainly been in much better form and I do feel a bit nervous going into it. But like you say, they had a favourable run of fixtures. It will be a tough game and a proper test after the break. But we have had harder games and got through them this season and we are favourites for a reason.

Charlton away would be ideal for me. As I have a few mates that support them and I’d get to the game.

As I said in the matchday thread. The stream I had was shit, so hard to judge. But yet again, I didn’t notice Botman much. Apart from a few tackles where he tidied up really well. Just goes about his business so efficiently all the while and rarely puts a foot wrong. In summary. He is fucking mint.

Opposite, for me. Didn’t think much of it last night. Seeing it back with a better video quality. It looks stonewall. Ball has travelled a long way and it is on target.

I’d also rather Willock than Longstaff. Just second guessing what Howe might do. I think Longstaff gives Bruno a bit more freedom. As I thought second half, he sat deeper than Bruno a lot of the while. He’s not great in that holding role, but seems to be trusted to do it in the 3. The only others being Bruno and Shelvey.

Whistle went ages before that for handball. Don’t think Wood realised, mind

Based on his cameo last night, I'd start him. He never used to work off the bench, but he changed it in our favour, I thought.

Could start both and bench Willock? Longstaff is a really good presser and is probably better at the defensive side than Willock. Although I do find him infuriating when he has the ball, as he often seems wasteful and a second too slow. I think it will more than likely be the same XI that started last night. With ASM to come off the bench again if we are chasing a result. I'm going to this, so I hope it's a good game, anyway. My only other visit there was a thoroughly forgettable 0-0 in the Championship.

The save from Stacey was better than it looked, I think. Hard and low, went through three players and it was close to him. Did well to get down, as he’s a big old unit. Just casually held it and made it look routine.

Willock doing the Ashley Cole

Not a great game. Thought we were pretty decent, bar some sloppiness in the final third and a few of them looking a bit rusty. Good tune up for Boxing Day.

Longstaff’s ability on the ball getting really shown up tonight. Gets about the pitch really well and pops up in dangerous areas. Only to have a shit touch, be half asleep when the ball comes to him or just generally make the wrong decision.

They did. But I feel the squad is a lot stronger now.

They can’t sit this deep all second half again, can they?….. Unless they are playing for penalties. You would have thought the pressure and some changes for us would mean they’ll have to try and step out at some point.

Fucking hell. That’s why he never uses his right foot

My stream is crap. But the atmosphere sounds flat as fuck. Playing well without creating loads from what I’ve managed to see. A few of them look a bit sleepy. Getting in good positions and then really wasteful in and around the box.

Yep. I had a few mates that played at step 4 or whatever it was. One below Conference North/South. Even they weren’t allowed to bet on any football It’s fucking mental.

They’ve gone with a strong team and all, I think? Should be a good game.

Love that lineup. Basically a full strength squad bar Isak and probably our best XI on the form shown this season.

We've had so many identikit central midfielders over the years and then also never got the best out of two supremely talented ones in Gerrard and Lampard. That I now have a bit of hope for one that isn't passing it backwards or sideways all the while and is actually putting his stamp on a game.

Best/Favourite match: Argentina 3-3 France Best/Favourite goal: The Mexico free kick Best/Favourite player: Messi Best/Favourite moment for your team: Callum Wilson coming on against Iran Best/Favourite 'other' moment: The Netherlands free kick routine to equalise in the last minute against Argentina Worst/Least favourite moment/anything: Mbappe laughing after Kane blazed it over. Teenage Mutant Ninja Cunt Best young player: Bellingham. Didn't pay enough attention to some of the others. Kudus looked unreal in the group stages and all. Best player: Messi Underachievers: Brazil - meant to be the best Brazil side in 20 years or more. So @Flip tells me. Bottled it against Croatia Overachievers : Morocco