Lush Vlad

I really don’t think he is suddenly shite and we need to get rid. But that is two games in a row where he has come on and we have ended up worse for it. The team looks unsure what to do, we force it to him when he is being triple marked and the workrate out wide understandably drops off. We really need to work the ball better and find the players in space that he is freeing up. It’s all a bit one dimensional once he is on. Love the bloke. Got Allan sent off. But was also weak as piss for the goal. The defence parting like the red sea wasn’t really ideal, mind. Seems better from the start of games when he can find his rhythm. Might be over-thinking it. But I do wonder if he fits into this current Howe set up. Built on the high press and workrate. We are better with the ball now and not just playing on the counter every game. All a bit of a mystery. Hope we can get him back in the team and firing. As he is a joy to watch when he’s on it.

We’ll get another win or two somewhere and sneak the odd draw. But if we play like tonight many more times there is a tiny chance of getting dragged back in, I guess.

Abject tonight. Looked clueless going forward and the intensity from previous games has gone. Embarrassing losing to these FFS.

I’m not used to us having so much of the ball. I’m not sure I like it Proper ugly to watch all of our long free kicks. But causes chaos and it is quite effective. I think we have looked solid and the better team. But neither look like scoring. Not sure why the commentators are praising the crowd so much. It just seems to be some murmurs and a few boos when we have the ball. Hardly really loud and inspiring bar the first 5-10 minutes.

That lineup is decent. Almiron probably just about deserves to start ahead of Murphy. Thought he was decent last game. Howe seems to prefer Krafth to Manquillo, so not really arsed there. Obviously not seen them play together yet. But I’d say that’s our strongest midfield 3. Looking forward to games again is mint/nerve wracking.

He did say that, aye. But the fact he couldn’t get through a training session on Saturday didn’t sound too promising, to me. Daft to second guess lineups and fitness of players, I know. But I have a feeling ASM, Joelinton and perhaps 1-2 others may be left out or on the bench. As we have a nice break after this before Spurs and it could be seen as a risk. As a few seem to have niggly injuries and/or have been ill recently.

I don’t think a point is too bad, depending on the circumstances. But this is one of the more winnable fixtures between now and the end of the season. Win this and we’ll need what? 3-4 points to pretty much guarantee stay up?

Both that and the offside goal were sexy. Getting in behind a bit too easily.

Genuinely interested now in whether or not ‘eyes on the ball’ come into it for serious foul play? Is there anywhere in the law that states that? Always hear about reckless, out of control and endangering an opponent. This is all three of those, isn’t it? Leading with his arm above his head and launching into a challenge he has little to no chance of winning. Seems like a red, to me.

They did seem to put 3 players on him when he came on. If he managed to shift the ball quicker, we might have taken advantage of the space left by Kante and Ziyech and Chalobah, I think it was, being so drawn to him. Also, as a team, I’ve always thought we could do a bit better to take advantage of teams focusing so much on ASM. He is never going to graft like a lot of the players. But there was less effort than usual from him, I thought. He has pressed well at times under Howe. Man U and Everton spring to mind. All that said. He has been injured and ill. So I’m guessing he wasn’t 100%.

Yep. Burn was getting most of the praise today. But Schar was also outstanding. Always seemed to be in the right place to clear or head away.

Watching how long they used VAR for in the Arsenal game just now. Has made me even more annoyed about the fact it wasn’t even used for the penalty decision today

Him and Shelvey are ill, Ryder said.

Thought he was class today, up against some world class midfielders and didn’t look out of place. I love how he often takes it on the back foot, then getting his body between the ball and the player, or meaning he can turn easily. Also how quick he is over a few yards with his movement in and out to make space. Or to get to the ball first or away from players. Not fast over longer distances, but he is mobile. What I like the most. Is how he shows for throw ins and always seems to retain possession when getting the ball. We have been so shit at throws for ages and the movement has been non-existent. All little things, really. But they were quite noticeable to me.

Also reminds me of Suarez. But because he is also a rat faced cunt and a snide with a massively punchable face.

I know they are different sports and I am half taking the piss. But that England Rugby player got sent off for an accidental clash of heads, playing a massively violent game. Yet Havertz has delivered the people’s elbow to Dan Burn’s temple in a game of football. The bloke is about 9ft FFS. Why is you arm all the way up there? It’s the ‘responsibility’ bit that made me think of the Rugby game yesterday.

I can take losing to Chelsea fair and square. But getting jobbed by the refs is a bit much. The fact that rat cunt scored it when he shouldn’t even be on the pitch just makes it worse. Some goal, mind.

Chris Wood with the ball at feet really is a sight to behold so far so good. Frustrated them and they haven’t created much. They can only up it and get better from the bench second half, mind.

3-5-2 or some sort of 3-5-1-1? If Almiron is central in that, I don’t hate it. If it is just 5-4-1 and he is playing wide. Then that would be a bit crap. Considering Fraser was likely to get rested and Joelinton and ASM were doubts. It isn’t a disaster, I guess. Willock and Shelvey missing isn’t ideal, mind. Hopefully both back for Everton. Nice break after that, at least.

I think I read on Twitter that he had 49 pressures last night! That’s mad.

Howe can do what he wants as far as I’m concerned (I know I’ll still question team selections, mind ) But if Manquillo is fit to start games. Then he really should be, IMO. Krafth has been average at best a few times he has played and basically shite the rest of the time. Not sure how bad you have to be to get dropped when the other option is a better and more consistent player.

Yeah, he tracked back well. But always seemed to be miles away from his man. We did seem to play quite narrow and the switch out wide was often on. So may have been a tactical thing.

Agreed. So infuriating that he got himself into some great positions and basically always fucked up the pass, cross or took an extra touch.

Both he and Bruno covered the cut back into the box really well. Often seemed to anticipate it and be in the right place when they were tracking back. After a shaky start, he looked really good. What is more impressive, that it was mainly due to his defensive work. Not for his quality passing or anything. Although that delightful cross for Wood’s goal obviously helped. I thought he looked better having someone next to him in a more conventional midfield and not playing on his own in front of the centre backs.

Can’t see him being dropped after that performance and a bit of cramp? A few sloppy passages of play and it was a steep learning curve for him. But he looked superb at times and scored a wonder goal.