Lush Vlad

Whilst I’d take a draw. I do think we are perhaps overrating Villa a bit? I know performances have been a lot better since Gerrard came in and they have some quality players. But The results have still been a bit up and down, haven’t they? It’s not like we’re playing a team in the top 6, who barely concede. I think we can get at them. I just worry about the midfield for this one, as I have probably mentioned a few times already.

Ground duel, or something? Tackle is when a player is in possession and they attempt to dribble past the defender. Something like that, anyway. Explained in the thread. The terminology and how actions are recorded can seem a bit dubious at times. But I have liked some of the more detailed stats of late. Especially when they help back up and explain what you’re seeing with your own eyes. Doesn’t always work that way, mind.

Yeah. If you would have said we’d take 4 points from the two games this week. With the win coming against Everton. I would have been more than happy with that.

I used to love him. Then he went off the boil. Then back again. Then shit for ages under two different managers. Now I just think his time is coming to an end here. It’s always felt like he has had a place in the side. As our CB’s are not great on the ball, even Schar is a bit ropey at times, despite him being much better than the rest. Shelvey seemed like our only player that would actually get the ball forward. Other than aimless hoofs or little dinks to nobody in particular. It has always seemed like his mobility, the way he sits too deep most of the time and how he often slows the play down. Plus the walking red card factor a lot of weeks. It has been a position we have needed to upgrade for ages. That seems to be coming. Now that we have signed Bruno and a Cb in Burn, that is comfortable on the ball. I think he will gradually get phased out the team. I’m just not sure it is going to happen tomorrow. But towards the end of the season or by the start of next at the latest, should we stay up. I think he gets replaced.

Starts with a couple of realistic names. Then someone that has just signed for Juve. Then just madness

I wasn’t suggesting that you were suggesting that merely looking at the differences between the players. I didn’t really think it was a fair like for like comparison.

No. Loses the plot too often, doesn’t inspire confidence with the defence and on set pieces and he seems to make howlers galore. Pretty much always quality for England, mind. But I think the set up really suits him.

I sort of see what you mean. But Mitrovic is slow, 5 years older and has already had a few seasons in the prem where he has struggled. I think he is playing in a better team and all. Maybe he has improved and he will be a lot better this time. Bur I think Brereton-Diaz is worth a punt. But I have a feeling they will be aiming higher if we stay up.

Just seen the Martinelli red. 100% seems the correct decision to me. Some outrageous claims and dubious interpretations of the situation from Arsenal fans. Trying to say he shouldn’t have been sent off.

National Trust site with a big fuck off stately home on it.

Oof. Goes without saying, that he would be a massive miss. Plus the fact it will mean two changes to the back 4.

Why is that not a penalty on Salah? Have never understood that. Does it state somewhere so long as you get your shot off. Being wiped out doesn’t count and it can’t be a foul? It’s not like it went out of play, either. Schmeichel saved it.

Their midfield is my concern. Whilst ours has been much improved, with Willock having his two best games of the season the last two, Joelinton reinventing himself and Shelvey looking much better under Howe. I feel like the last two games were against poor midfields. Leeds were wide open in the second half and didn't offer much defensively. The Everton flat two of Allan and Gomes were poor and looked slow and ponderous, to me. Ramsey has looked brilliant whenever I have seen him. McGinn is good on the ball and gets forward. Luiz always looks like a solid DM and I'm sure I read a while back that his numbers back that up. Although I may be wrong? I think they're going to be a lot more mobile and dynamic than what we have faced and it just feels like we might be exposed a bit in that area. As I think Joelinton gets a bit lost positionally at times and gives away needless fouls. Willock can be a bit naïve when he over-commits with his pressing and doesn't really like challenging for anything in the air. Shelvey gets passed round with ease and isn't mobile enough to properly play as the single 'pivot' (new buzz term this season, isn't it?). As The Prophet alluded to. I don't think Bruno solves all of our problems, but it would mean we have 3 mobile midfielders to match them, at least. All that said, the midfield has been much better with the ball. We do seem to be playing a bit higher up the pitch and the high press at home, particularly against Man U and Everton, has worked really well of late. Hopefully we can get at Mings when he has possession, as he always makes mistakes whenever I see him. I guess Chambers will be the other centre back?

Incredibly small time if he doesn’t change the team, purely because it’s a winning side from the week before. That is for village football, not elite sport. Play your best players. Bruno is our best midfielder. He should start in place of one of those three (please be Shelvey!)

I think he may consider Joelinton wide again. Did well there against Brentford and even had the odd ‘ok’ game under Bruce wide. Well, by his old standards, at least. Would mean dropping Fraser, mind. I just don’t see him or Shelvey making way. Willock should start IMO. Shelvey is the obvious one to be left out. But I don’t think that will happen.

The through ball with him running onto it was exciting to see. As we rarely find him with that pass. Nor do I think it’s the sort of run he usually makes. We’re all used to him running from deep, or cutting in and skinning players for fun. But he is fucking rapid and if we can start to create space for him and thread passes like Bruno did at the end. Then he is going to be even more of a threat.

Tuesday is my least favourite day. But will undoubtedly be the best day this week.

probably been posted already. But LOOOOOOLLLLLLL

Yep. Then he also disappears even further from the game when he is on a yellow. As he can’t risk any more lunging slide tackles. He has improved under Howe and he has been one of our better players in a few games. But he is just so immobile and poor off the ball. He is a passenger for large chunks of the game.

Seen it mentioned a few times that Barnes was more of the donkey work, target man/shithouse and Wood played off the shoulder and ran channels. It would make sense. As for a big lump, he is awful back to goal and whilst the service into him is fairly poor and he is isolated a lot of the time. His headers never go to a black and white shirt. Looked a touch more threatening tonight. But still on his heels and a bit leggy a lot of the time. He is working hard and helping our defensively when ASM is having a lie down. So at least he is contributing. I do worry about him getting an actual goal, mind.

We need people in midfield that can dictate the pace of the game, press, progress the ball up the pitch with passes and possession and look to get forward to support Wood and co. To help with chances and goals. As we don’t have many in this team and Wood looks poor as a lone striker. I’m not sure Shelvey offers any of that. He is static and slows our play down whilsy sitting deep. Yet somehow not screening the back 4. He only wants the ball when he is 70 yards from goal with nobody pressuring him. 100% should be out the team for Bruno. But I can’t see it. He’s a Howe favourite, I think.

Fucking hell. 3 goals in a win, a win that is deserved and a game where we could and should have scored more. Forgotten what that feels like. 8 points from 12. Let’s hope we are turning the corner.

Doesn’t challenge for headers, bit naive at times. But I love his pace and workrate when pressing. Carrying the ball again like last season and unlucky not to get a goal, the same as Leeds. Hopefully his injury isn’t serious and he can kick on now.

Low key, but amazing debut. Trippier and ASM take the spoils. But I reckon Targett was probably our best player after them pair.

If Burn isn’t fit, fair enough. I guess we are short of CB’s for now with Dummett and Fede injured and Clark not registered. So we need him on the bench. But not starting Bruno and Fraser and Shelvey seemingly undroppable. Man, that’s a depressing start to the evening before a ball has been kicked.