Lush Vlad

Basically just echoing what everyone else has said. We need to be winning this and then try to kick on and pick up a good chunk of points. With a favourable run coming up until the international break and a couple of games beyond. I think we're probably a point or two ahead of where I expected us to be at the start of the season. But then to lose a point last night with the last kick of the game and to not get all three against an awful looking Wolves side feel like missed opportunities. I think there would be a tiny bit of pressure on the West Ham game, if we didn't win on Saturday. That said, Palace are no mugs. They have started the season well, despite a quite a difficult set of fixtures to start the season.

He is the Iceman, aint he? Never seems particularly flustered and I can't really recall him blaming the ref or opposition.

I was watching this live before our game. I think it might have been Chris Sutton on co-comms. "Nothing in that. Not enough for a penalty, for me."

This. Used to stick up for him a lot and thought he looked like a good option off the bench, at times. He has been absolutely rancid this season, though. Shame for him, what with him being an NUFC fan. But it hasn't worked here and he needs to move on.

Yep. Got involved going forward in the first half. His set pieces are pretty decent and for the most part, didn't let them in too much down his side. He did get done a few times with a diagonal, I thought. But that is being massively critical. As we did seem to try and tuck in and keep it congested and narrow. Seemed fairly happy to let them have it wide 30 yards from goal and chuck crosses in if they fancied it. I guess that's why Lascelles and Burn started.

I gave up on it quite early on. Both seem like nice enough blokes. Just a lot of OTT laughing at stuff that isn't that funny and then a load of filler and breaks. I thought it might give a bit more of an insight into the game at the top level. But I never really got that from it.

He did open up a few times when he had space to and use that long stride. But there were a couple of times where he nearly got to Gomez and I think maybe one with VVD, as well. Where he looked to have no chance over 5-10 yards. But nearly ended up pinching it off them when closing them down. Went from standing to rapid pretty quickly.

I thought he looked fast? His acceleration was quality. Don't forget he was up against Gomez who is rapid and VVD who doesn't look fast, but is deceptively quick. I'm sure he tried to conserve some energy at times and all. Which is to be expected. So impressed by him. He was dancing past players with quick feet and seemed to just slot in straight away like he'd been here for 6 months and not 6 days. The offside goal was just incredible composure. I honestly can't remember the last time we had a striker showing that sort of calmness in front of goal. Not meaning to be hyperbolic. But it reminded me of some of the old Beardsley videos when he used to sit everyone down and walk it in. I don't think he'll be as much of a nuisance back to goal or challenge for as much in the air as Wilson. But the threat in behind will be there if teams play high. Then he is good enough on the ball to drive at goal if he has to drop off to pick it up. I think both could play in a front three together at times, too. Based on last night's small sample size. He was even better than I'd hoped for and looks a really well rounded striker.

Don't think we will sign anyone else, which isn't a massive problem after the two windows we've had. But I do think we are one centre mid light and is more of a concern than the wide areas. The 3 in the middle looked fucked after 60 mins last night and run their bollocks off every game. There's not really a lot of scope for rotation at the minute, either. Even when Bruno is back, we only really have 4 fit CM's and then Anderson, who might be used as more of an attacking player out wide, anyway.

That late goal was an absolute sickener like. Couldn't sleep for ages last night. Then woke up at 3 running it all through my head again. But it doesn't change the thoughts on the performance and the positives. I was expecting fuck all and we came so close with half our starters missing. I'm actually not as annoyed about the extra time as everyone else. I think we tried a few more bits of time wasting after the 90 was up and Pope was down for a fair while. Looked genuinely winded and landed heavily, TBF. The offside is bollocks and why I hate VAR for it, as the angles always seem misleading and really not 100% sure how it works. Especially now we are supposed to have this increased margin for error. Which was why Rashford's goal stood against these, but wouldn't have last season. It's not why offside came in and it's now in the defending team's favour, but I suppose by the letter of the law, it was off? I do find it odd that they were so fucking riled about us slowing them down and making the game disjointed. Surely that's not a new tactic against them/any decent side? Wolves, who were playing at home against the mighty Newcastle United. Were doing it from about 35 minutes in on Sunday. Matey that Schar caught was down for about 4 minutes FFS. It felt like they only got so pissy about it. As Klopp was feeling the heat on the sideline and realised his team were playing shite and had no answer to us for a good hour or so. So he was just complaining about everything. Straight out of the Wenger/Mourinho/Fergie playbook. We took our time with fouls and set pieces, Pope pushing the limits etc. But it is to be expected in a game like that. Especially if you're winning. A lot of the 'injuries' and knocks seemed pretty genuine to me. Joelinton runs himself into the ground every week and often goes down. Lascelles was clearly hurt and dead on his feet at the end. Quite a few of the head injuries were just standard for a game at this level. Pro footballer feels a touch on his head or face, hits the deck and spends ages rolling about. Nowt new there. For their sake, thank fuck ASM and Schar weren't playing. As I reckon Anfield would have burst into flames from all of their fans spontaneously combusting at their antics

I’ve seen some one way traffic in my time. But this start from Arsenal is relentless. Not sure how it is still 0-0.

I really like him as a manager and a lot of the stuff he says. Similar political views and all. But I have noticed in the last season or so. He has moaned about some weird shit and been a right cock to journos for no reason.

Must not want to dent Botman’s confidence. Or for Schar to lose his marbles and start booting people like he often does. Does have a late/rash one in him. 2 yellows already and could have been sent off on Sunday (would have been harsh IMO).

Yeah, if that’s the team. We are well and truly screwed. I know we have some quality players missing. But fucking hell. Lascelles and Burn will get pulled apart by their movement up top and I think Diaz will be in behind Trippier all night.

Liverpool and Man U do seem good at coming up with original chants. Pretty sure they have minor celeb musician fans who write the lyrics. Seems like every other club just re-hash another team’s chant. Then everyone argues about who started it first. Don’t go to games as much as I used to. But the atmosphere is often crap and it is just the standard ‘banter’ chants between fans and then a few generic songs for the team.

The Koulibaly one. Possibly the worst chant I’ve ever heard. Cucurella, seems to be sung for any Spaniard that comes to play in England. Chelsea, chelsea, chelseeeeeaaaaaa. They’re awful.

Tyler Adams looks lively and always looking to get on the ball. Can’t say I have ever noticed him before or realised Leeds has signed him this window until yesterday.

I was into a few beers and nervously fast drinking like I always do watching our games in the pub. So I might be remembering it wrong. But Targett’s corners seemed more dangerous overall. Did find it odd that he let Schar take the free kick and all.

Felt like after their game with Man U, that we could go there and give these a right game at Anfield for once. But ASM, Wilson, Bruno and possibly Isak all missing just means we'll be absolutely toothless in attack. Oh and they then went and won 9-0 the next game Not to be defeatist. But I don't really see it as too much of a problem if we can just get through this game without taking a hiding. Then hopefully get 1-2 back for Palace and West Ham the week after. Fraser looked lively when he came on against Wolves. I'm not a massive fan of his, but he is direct and will look to cross it, at least. Which should mean that Wood won't be completely ineffective in the box.

Should probably play 11 against them.

Is he injured, or was he taken off as a precaution? Not read any comments from Howe. Already missing 2 of our 3 best attackers. If he is out as well, then we are fucked. Isak might be getting more minutes earlier than planned.

They were so bad. Couldn’t be watching those cheating cunts every week. Some quality players. Yet they had a similar style to Stoke second half. Mixed in with some proper continental diving and fake injuries. Would have taken a point when the fixtures came out. Even more so when we had 2 of our 3 best attacking players missing. All that said. I felt like we could have won. They were dreadful and we were decent, all things considered.

His goal came from some comedy defending. But the ball he played for the first goal was a great assist from deep.

Agree with this. Only saw highlights of the Brighton game. But it sounded like he/we struggled a bit against their midfield? I think he is great in that deeper role. Just always showing for the ball and scanning the park from deep, looking for his next through ball or diagonal. Great out of possession and all. Just not a true DM.

As so many before me have said. I still can’t believe he just came out of the ground and knew all about menus and ordering food.