Lush Vlad

Fuck me. I thought I was the biggest HBA fanboy going. But as talented as Messi?! No way.

need a metronome in singing sections from now on.

Every chant we sing it is like everyone is bang on the gak it’s so fast. Judging by the away ends I’ve been in, probably not far off the truth

Can’t remember where I heard it. But they were debating who was better out of ASM and HBA when they’re both on it. Don’t even think it’s close. ASM is more tricky and perhaps more powerful when going down the line. That’s about it.

Is the away end still made out of wood?

I don’t know what the exact criteria and definition is. But if it is anything like NFL with sacks, pressures and hurries. Then no, it wouldn’t just be ambling towards the ball, Shelvey style Like I guess it must have to result in the player rushing their pass, moving from their spot, not allowing an extra touch or for them to progress in possession etc. Assuming there is some sort of distance before it is measured as a successful pressure? @Discoposted some interesting pressing stats up yesterday showing Longstaff being really good at it. Have to say I only noticed it yesterday and first half vs Watford. Wasn’t something I thought he was particularly good at.

Another interesting thread from Lawson. Some bits in there about ASM and Willock, too.

Tah. I’m using that now Who was captain after Lascelles went off, out of interest? Was it Shelvey?

Thought he looked ropey the first half hour or so. Harrison had him on toast a few times. Harrison was basically a non-factor after that, though. I think there must have been a slight change in approach from him, Fraser and Willock after that. As we didn’t look so exposed second half. They just put everything down our left, instead! Clearly has a lot of class and know how about him. Some of his passing and getting out of tight areas is superb. Leeds fans singing ‘greedy bastad’ to him? Not even much of a pay rise from Atleti, was it?!

Haha. Aye, that was it. He was quite excitable and I didn’t mind him. Bit annoying that he just said the swipe on ASM was clearly not a penalty, mind. He isn’t the usual Scottish one that is on comms with that annoying Sky Sports SPL guy, is he? Both call ASM ‘San Maximum’.

Anyone else have the Scottish co-commentator today? According to him. Longstaff, Willock and someone else who I have forgotten ‘got through a power of running.’ Never heard that expression before?!

Really good in the air today. Certainly felt like we tried to target him more with long balls and got Fraser and ASM closer to him and trying to run off him. Willock a bit nearer the end, too. Hold up play was ok at times. But his touch looks awful a lot of the time. Often loses it when he should be favourite to get his body in. He’s a handful and will do as an option. Hoping he’s just a stop gap until we sign someone else and Wilson returns to fitness. Fingers crossed he can contribute with a few goals.

I don’t think he has worse end product. Historically over his career, maybe. But Fraser has not put up good numbers for a while, I don’t think? He put the odd decent enough cross in today. But he often fails to make the most of a shooting or crossing opportunity. Murphy is a bit more wayward and I guess not as trustworthy out of possession. But he is actually pretty rapid, will try shots and crosses regularly, with massively varying degrees of success and he is good carrying the ball forward. Like you say, though. Hardly spoilt for choice in the wide areas.

Murphy/A New Player should really be starting instead of him. But can’y fault his graft again.

He was fucking brilliant second half. Exactly what the game needed and played the situation perfectly. Grew into the game and seemed more mobile after 90 mins than he did for the first half hour. Was proper box to box at the end. Protected the ball in behind Trippier a bit better 2-3 times. Which got a big hug and seal of approval from Trippier near the end. Not perfect by any means. Looked a bit reactive and off it early in the game. Some of his passing and lay offs were undercooked. All in all. Was something like his old self and was arguably MOTM, for me. Although I think Schar shades it.

He must have taken some of the stick on here personally and been offended by that graph saying he’s pointless Hardly put a foot wrong all game and was as casual as you like under a lot of pressure.

That was like the Dubs we signed under Raga. Claimed everything that was chucked in. Didn’t spill any of the awkward shots with players around him. Made a top save from James. Oh and he annoyed their fans. Serves them right with that tragic “you’re Shit ahahahaha” or whatever it is. Nearly as bad as goal music, that.

He’s always happy. He just looks a bit simple to me

Schar was superb I thought. Possibly MOTM, although Willock seemed to be collecting power ups and getting better and covering more ground as the game went on. Longstaff had his Weetabix this morning. Arguably improved after he came on. Dubs back to his old self. Fucking over the moon with that. Finally managed to win an ugly, tight game, when things went against us with 3 enforced subs. I Would have preferred an easy 3-0. But this might just possibly give them the belief that they can actually protect a lead and see a game out.

Ended the half quite well. Hopefully they can carry that on. Had a spell of winning the ball back and kept it for 3-4 phases near their box. Made a refreshing change.

Been good going forward. Lazy as fuck and clueless off the ball. I think he is meant to be covering at times for Trippier the way Joe does on the left. Regularly looks like he is reacting a second or two too late.

Certainly improvements in shape off the ball, pressing and what we are trying to do in possession (not so much today). But the most disappointing thing under Howe. Has been that we still seem completely unable to build an attack, keep the ball high up the pitch and support the striker. This midfield is dogshit.

Aye. Looked quality last week. But isolated one on one. He has been rinsed a few times. As has Trippier.

Trippier one on one with Harrison is pretty one sided so far. Fraser has only really been decent at pressing and helping out defensively. Has done fuck all with the ball in his time here. Doing neither so far today. This is shite. Only ending one way if we persist with this set up.

Wingers getting early passes, finding space and hitting crosses into men in the box. What is this witchcraft?