Lush Vlad

I can't see ASM being fit. It doesn't seem like he has been fit to train with the team for the last week or two? Only seen him doing some photo ops in the gym and he was pictured in an oxygen chamber/tent thing in Monaco just the other day? Guessing it will be Murphy, again. But despite hating the square pegs and round holes under Bruce. I am still curious to see if Willock could do a role from the left, drifting infield and being that bit further forward to support Wood. He's no ASM on the ball. But he's our best dribbler in the team after him and carries a bit of a goal threat, at least. Plus he wouldn't get the same treatment with teams doubling and trebling up on him the same way Maxi does.

So the body language experts were correct. He did always look sad, depressed and uninterested a lot of the time earlier in the season. He has been one of our top performers for 4 games straight now. Long may it continue.

Be very surprised if Eriksen starts.

Just seen that Brentford have Norwich and Burnley after we play them. Really need to beat them. As I wouldn’t trust them to beat either of those and that would drag us right back into it.

Assuming Leeds lose Spurs. Even a point jumps us above them and also Everton prior to their late game with City. The way the results have gone with teams above us of late. A win against Brentford would be huge. That properly drags 7 teams into it. I think the more teams in it the better. No idea if this is logical or not. But it would make me less nervous.

This is why I tend not to bet on football

I’m not sure I’d want to shift Joelinton or Willock out of the middle the more I think about it. So hopefully Fraser is fit. Not looking positive for ASM, though. Just highlighting possible options and it is a way of getting a look at Bruno from the start.

I wouldn’t. He has been rubbish for a long while. He never takes his man on or looks to pass forward or get a cross. Wasn’t his position under Rafa, a 2 behind Rondon playing alongside Perez? He has almost always been poor playing in wide areas. Assuming ASM and Fraser are out. There isn’t really any other option other than shifting Willock or Joelinton out wide, mind. Or a complete formation change.

But by and large, whenever Burnley play. They look absolute shit, whilst hanging in and keeping it tight. They never create much or see much of the ball. Arsenal and Man U should have won those games and dominated for most of the game. I didn't mention Spurs' City result for that exact reason you mention. But I think it is a bit more than that. With the players that have returned from injury, got back up to speed and the two signings from Juve. I think Spurs have too much for a shite Burnley side. They are 8th and a good few games in hand on those above them. I'm certainly not one of those fans that seem to pay no attention to the results below us. But if we are really worried about Burnley and what they are doing, then Lord help us.

I think Watford will probably win. But I’m not sure Burnley are suddenly decent off the back of one good result. Spurs don’t look as good as previous recent seasons. But I still think they will have too much for Burnley.

Nice one, cheers. Hope that is true. Wouldn't actually mind Murphy on the right if Fraser is out.

We just assuming ASM is back? Or have I missed an update saying he is fit?

I think if Fraser and/or ASM are out. Willock should be played wide, with licence to tuck in a bit and try to get closer to Wood when the opportunity arises. The same way Fraser and ASM have done at times the last few games from goal kicks and long balls. Workrate up and down doesn't seem to be an issue with him. Not ideal moving him out of the middle where he has been so good. But he is still advanced up the pitch and would be a better option than Almiron. Who is always pretty crap played wide and hasn't looked good in a long while. The position Rafa had him playing so well in doesn't really exist in Howe's set up. I wouldn't want him shifted out wide. But Joelinton played really well against these at home wide in a 3, bar his customary slip in the box. So that might be in Howe's thinking, as well. Based on nothing other than guesswork. I reckon Fraser will be ok and it will be him and Murphy again, with ASM still missing.

Nope. Not sure Howe has used a diamond much, has he? Do many teams still use it? I think since Howe has come in. We have attacked down the flanks a lot and seems to be where we have a good chunk of our possession.

I reckon we may get some rotation coming up. As we have the Thursday games against Southampton and Everton. The midfield 3 have been grafting their bollocks off in games this year.

I know it will always be seen as him being ‘dropped’. But at the same time, if we want a bit more of a foothold in the middle and some control of the ball and tempo. I don’t see how Shelvey fits Howe’s plans long term. Hypothetical at this stage. But are we thinking Bruno can’t do any better than what Shelvey is doing at the minute? Pro sport is pretty ruthless and no room for sentiment. Even if it would seem harsh to bench Shelvey on his current form. I do expect Guimaraes to come in at some point and to my untrained eye. The most obvious swap is for Shelvey.

I don’t think he is a major hinderance or anything. Having that focal point up there is massive and he leads the press well. But he is very hit and miss back to goal and he doesn’t look too comfortable as a lone striker. A lot of the balls up to him where he is winning good headers, where they usually go to no one. Are simply not good enough. Not a lot he can do with no runners near him and when the ball is played so high. Same for the final ball and crosses. We have had a real lack of quality in the final third, which he has contributed to, of course. It does work both ways, though. More dangerous crosses and the wide men or runners from deep looking to support him, would see him in a better light.

Oh for sure. We are solid now at the very least. Only conceded one or less per game since the hiding to City. But Southampton look really strong at home whenever I have seen them.

Watford have Man U away and Arsenal home the next two. That win was massive for them. As if they lost, it would seem like the beginning of the end for them. Suddenly our next 5 fixtures look a bit more winnable, to me. Bar Chelsea and probably Southampton. I think we should be getting results from Brentford, Brighton and Everton. EDIT: I didn’t realise Watford were playing midweek. Still, hard games after that, at least.

Didn’t realise Brighton had Webster and Dunk out, plus the fact they have just lost Burn. Not getting too worried about Burnley just yet. Wolves and Spurs are their games in hand did someone say? Results a bit mixed so far. Teams below us winning, teams around us losing. Not a disaster by any means.

Well this is not going very well.

He is really frustrating. Was heavily involved in a lot of our good attacking play. Won a good few corners, which we look quite dangerous from these days, and his workrate was top notch. But fuck me, he is infuriating with his 9/10 to 2/10 moments. The amount of times he just kicks it to the other team. There was one where he just had to open his body and roll it to Willock on his right foot, who was in acres of space. Just slap-shotted it on his left straight to the West Ham midfielder. It was like me playing 5 a side.

Despite the fact we’re unbeaten since he has come in. Of course we have to compare Wood and Weghorst every fucking game. So boring and a massively simple way of looking at it. Have a day off. Mongs.

Yeah. I’m not watching the game. So ignore my last post.

At least it shows we can get at Brighton at SJP. We must have a chance if they are conceding 2 at home to Burnley FFS.