Lush Vlad

I'm far from his biggest fan and even when he was better and fitter under Howe, I still wasn't convinced. I think he is better than Longstaff and more suited to that deeper role than he is. Longstaff is still pretty crap on the ball and don't think he offers much. Just fairly decent at pressing at times, whilst not exactly being quick or mobile. I 100% get why people want him back. As an option for certain games, at the very least. Ideally, we will get someone to play the DM role. That said, I'm not sure if if that is what Howe will go with long term. Or if he will have a more fluid 3 and there will still be place for Joelinton in his hybrid role on the left.

Apart from HBA at times doing things only a handful of players in world football can do. I'm not sure I have ever seen a player in black and white make it all look so easy and effortless. I'm sure he will get caught in possession at times. As he is so brave and aggressive on the ball. But the way he gets out of tight spaces and seems so assured all the time is unreal. He kind of reminds me of Fabregas when he receives the ball whilst being marked. As he isn't quick or particularly large in stature. But he manages to get his body in and find space on the half turn with a great first touch. I know they say for elite level players, the game seems slower for them. But it's like everyone else is buffering on dial up and he's on a super fast connection. The definition of playing with a cigar on. What a bloke.

I do agree with that and it is why I commented in the Shelvey thread the other day. Saying I'm actually looking forward to Jonjo coming back. Which isn't something I thought I'd say. I guess it's just whether for this game, Joelinton's relentless work and drive is seen as more important than Bruno being able to play a bit more advanced. Not meaning to sound negative, but I think I'd go with the former for a game at Old Trafford. They are not what they once were. But they're still a good team in pretty decent form, results wise. Big Joe is massive for us for winning the ball back and also screening the left side of defence/covering the whole left hand side of the pitch. I think both he and ASM will start. I feel like they come as a package deal.

Think ASM might start in place of Murphy. Joelinton in for Longstaff, for sure. I can see us playing a bit more on the counter like we did against City and Liverpool and they need to be starting, if so.

Dry biscuits, bacon, sleep, repeat.

Benfica been the better team. But Messi has just scored a beaut. Standard FIFA finesse finish

Great journo. Can be unbearable on the Athletic pod, mind. Not as bad as the host, mind. His carry on is woeful.

He was often in Newmarket, either at the course or Tattersalls for the sales. Still in my top 5 biggest regrets.

Agreed. Overall, I thought Botman was our best player after Almiron. Before he went off, I also thought Bruno was the best player on the pitch. But he did have the freedom of craven Cottage and the big fuck off park behind, as well. Plus he only did an hour or so.

Came in here to post this. I never realised it until we signed him. Lovely smile, handsome chap, kind face. Absolute shithouse of the highest order. That body check on, I think it was Ream? Knew exactly what he was doing. Always chirping and chipping away at defenders. Decided to get stuck into the Fulham fans a bit with his celebration, even Which seems harsh, they are like polite Rugby Union fans, probably even more tame, really. Trippier was having none of it and seemed to be pushing him away. Not sure who we rely on more out of Bruno, ASM and Wilson. But my God, the way we attack is totally different and so much better with Wilson leading the line. He regularly seems to be marshalling the wide men and demanding the ball off the midfielders. Just a great 9. Really hope he can last at least get 10-15 games in a row without getting crocked again.

What really impressed me. Was how easily we managed to find space when they went down to ten. I'm sure a lot of that was down to how crap they were and how they managed the situation. But they didn't really offer anything on the counter or commit many forward. So they usually had numbers sitting deep. Yet we always had space in midfield or we would work it wide quickly enough to get Murphy, Almiron or Trippier in space. Even set pieces, we just kept our foot on the gas and were always looking to get the ball back in play quickly and create another opening. It was pure domination for 65 minutes or so and should have scored a couple more, for sure. Bruno and Wilson coming off was a blessing for them. As they were both taking the piss. Great away end and probably the best I've been in bar 'Ryan Taylor over the wall' against the mackems. My fears of it being one of those quiet southern/London away ends were well wide of the mark. Some great classics got rolled out, even a couple that were before my time and I didn't know all the words. Goals and the performance help, of course. But it just never really relented and I was pleased to hear the chants carried so well watching the highlights back.

Obviously it helped that Fulham were awful and played nearly the whole game with ten. But when the team was announced, prior to knowing about Joelinton's injury and the illness in the squad that was mentioned. My first reaction was to piss and moan. Then remembered I have done it before a few times with Howe and I've always been proven wrong. Murphy played the best he has since he joined. Almiron was on fire. Longstaff scored and was involved in the red card for them by committing to the challenge. Burn was solid at left back again. Anderson not starting certainly looked like the right call. As he did look to get caught in possession quite a lot. Need to try and remember we have a proper manager now and he obviously knows a lot more than me.

On the bench, at least.

Yep, the Man U game might suit him well if he is fit. Bit more space on the counter and to use his pace, the same as Liverpool.

Stiffy alert. Seems like ages since we played. As I barely saw any of the Bournemouth game (lucky me) and the West Ham game was called off. I'm going tomorrow, things seem to be looking up on the injury front and I care about the club more than I have since I was a kid. Absolutely nothing could go wrong..............

Another attacking mid/wide forward type player, isn't he? Chelsea seems to be a graveyard for them of late. How many have they signed/brought through with high hopes, or looked decent for a bit. Only to then totally go off the boil? I know it might change under Potter. But it just feels like they have had shitloads of them over the last few seasons.

I always think it's a case of 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' when players are missing through injury. I reckon every fanbase is guilty of it and players seem to often somehow get better when they're not playing. But it seems like we have missed him a lot more than I thought we would. We're seeing more of the ball in a lot of games, yet not doing a lot with it. We still seem a bit clueless and perhaps naïve when not playing on the counter. Shelvey is a big upgrade on Longstaff, also probably on Willock against most opponents. With him back in the team, it would mean Bruno could play further forward, as well. Again, I thought he was fine as the deeper midfielder. But seems a bit wasted there in games where we can't unlock teams sitting deep. I'm by no means his biggest fan. I didn't even really buy into his supposed massive upturn in form when Howe came in. It just looked like he put a bit more effort in and he got fitter, along with the rest of the squad. But I am actually looking forward to him returning now and feel like he needs to soon'ish.

The lack of creativity the last two home games is a worry, for me. But then I would say that is more linked to the players that are missing. So hopefully we can turn these draws into wins with 2-3 back in the team.

Agreed. If we had beaten Palace and Bournemouth. Then a draw here wouldn't be too bad. But whilst performances on the whole have been pretty good, when factoring everything in. We are a few points behind where we should be already.

Pep wears some rare old clobber. Loves a rollneck or a Topman 2 for 20 quid jumper. Tuchel used to dress like Steves off People Just Do Nothing. Arteta is a mini Pep. Klopp wears a shell suit and a Tony Pulis cap. Did Jose always wear a suit? Don’t give a fuck what he wears on the sideline, personally. Like a lot of professional roles. It’s not like all managers are suited and booted these days.

Based on what you have seen of Pope for us. You think he should be on the bench and Dubravka playing ahead of him? Game of opinions and all that. But I find that astonishing. Pope has been our best player this season, IMO. Not really put a foot wrong. Just had one ropey performance for England.

FFS. Guessing Isak and Bruno will both miss Fulham? As it sounds more than precautionary. Getting Wilson back will be massive. Hopefully ASM not long after and all. We just lack creativity.

Agree with both of the above. Seems like we have some genuinely exciting players and ones that maybe offer something a bit different to previous squads. Yet we still play woeful football, with no discernible style of play. It’s all very slow and negative and it didn’t take him long to do what every England manager used to get criticised for. Picking players he likes, regardless of form or who is available. Just seems really rigid with his selections and tactics.

He is mainly brilliant for England, agreed. But I thought he was massively at fault for that free kick from miles out. Denmark, was it? Lovely strike. But it wasn’t even in the corner and his short arms/timing were shown up again. I’d be fuming if we let one in from there. Which we regularly used to do with Elliot. He was the king of getting beaten by one well within reach. He will be starting for England when fit. But I’m not sure it makes much difference. The team have looked awful since the Euros.

Surely this means Isak plays wide when Wilson returns, or Wilson in some kind of inside forward role/up top with Isak. Either that or Anderson comes in from the start. Our wide options outside of ASM are absolutely dire. Murphy gets the most stick, but they are all equally ineffective and well below the standard required. Can’t even split them for shitness. With our lack of goals and creativity, it seems like Wilson and Isak need to be on the pitch if we can make it work formation-wise.