Lush Vlad

His passing isn’t that good, mind. I think he’ll be a Doku type for them. With less pace and trickery. But more of a goal threat and a more polished player. I like the fact that he is two footed and takes shots on. But I don’t think he’s as good of a player as people make out, personally. It’s just been heavily magnified for us when we spent so much on Elanga. Not that we could have got him for the same price in the summer. Or that there wouldn’t have been better options available to him if the release clause was in play then.

What a cup tie.

This contract says he isn’t allowed to fake injury and limp off after 70 minutes after yet another no show against a top side.

GK, CB, CM, FB cover. Seems some uncertainty around the likes of Botman, Joelinton, Tonali and Tino. So I suppose like you say, depending on who goes and who stays. It would govern what level of player you're going for, along with whether you need more than one for certain positions. Our right wing is still a bit of a mess. Murphy's limitations are being more exposed this season. Elanga has really got to do something between now and May or I think we need to be looking at wide positions, too. Which could also be partly funded if we were to sell one of our big names from another area. Not sure what the approach should be? Seems like we've padded the squad out reasonably well. The bench always looks a lot stronger these days. But maybe 2-3 starting quality players to raise the ceiling and not the floor is what we now need. Also depends on whether or not we end up in a European competition again and if so, which one.

I get your recent managers mixed up. Was it OGS or Ten Hag who went through a long winning streak, that was totally unsustainable and relied heavily on worldies and riding their luck at the other end? I feel like that was Ten Hag. Didn't OGS set his team up to play on the counter and was good at it. Then it all changed when the diva came back?

Joelinton really shouldn't start IMO. Just back from his groin injury or whatever was hindering him and then meant he sat on the bench for a good few games. This would be 4 games in a row in quick succession and we desperately need him on Tuesday to be firing on all cylinders. I'd rather start Tonali if he's available. As he has been less important to how we perform in recent weeks and not sure how that midfield functions without someone remotely capable of playing the central role. I don't see the point in playing Ramsdale, either. We won't sign him at the end of the season, or at least we certainly shouldn't. Plus Pope looks like he could do with the practice Agree with the rest, TBF.

It never crossed my mind and I have no issue with Barnes taking shots on, even if he isn't always the best placed. He has actually wasted some golden chances this season, but he is still our most ruthless finisher and is always thinking how to get the ball towards or into the goal. He often has a knack of managing to get a shot away where others wouldn't, too. It's horrendous keeping whatever way you look at it. But the only thing I can say in Perri's defence is I doubt he expected wor Harv to do a 360 and get a low shot in through bodies from there. I hadn't even noticed Ramsey until you mentioned this. Just watched it back. If he lays that off, by the time it gets to him he has two Leeds players about to come flying out at him. I doubt his shot even makes it past them

Yes and no. He was basically implying that Liverpool players don't waste time and/or feign injury. Referencing how so many other teams in the league do it and he knows, as he watches 'so much football' or something like that He also mentioned how they can match Arsenal, as they have home and away. But they can't do it over a season, because of the way teams set up against them. Again, he just can't help himself moaning about teams having the audacity to play a certain way against the mighty reds. Oh and because the 20 set piece goals Arsenal have scored makes a big difference. Erm, try scoring more goals then you Lord Varys looking motherfucker. Full of excuses and no self-awareness whatsoever. They played without a striker, had no shots on target and played more like Burnley than Liverpool in the first half. Absolute fraud and an arrogant cunt to boot. Hope he continues to get found out.

I'd usually be dead against heavily rotating the side for a tough cup game. But with the semi final first leg on Tuesday and then Wolves away where we need to keep up the recent momentum in the league. Before we then have a fairly important CL game against PSV. Where if we win, we could really put ourselves in a good position for who we might face in the next round. This feels like the least important game of the lot somehow and we're bang in the middle of a busy period. I'd still start Pope, as I think he's always rusty as hell after an injury and needs to get back to something close to his old form. Bruno and Joelinton have to be rested. I think Hall, too. Gordon can start and give Barnes a rest before Tuesday.... Like that would ever happen Ramsey, Willock, Trippier, Tino will all be starting, I'd guess. I'd play Woltemade in this and save Wissa for what should be a weakened City defence on Tuesday. I think we'll struggle. Whilst our form has improved, we've not exactly been convincing for fairly long spells against poor sides. I think they'll rotate as well. But the way they play is like our kryptonite.

Think @Disco can claim the credit for that one. I liked @HaydnNUFC ‘s Artetanyahu the football they play certainly is a war crime.

He’s an absolute mentalist. Love him. Don’t remember him being aggro or confrontational at all until he moved to midfield.

Worst game I’ve watched this season. And I’ve watched our 0-0’s with Leeds and Bournemouth. Going for the league, team is worth a billion quid and they’ve played for a 0-0. Arteta really is a terrorist. He must be stopped at all costs. Probably go and sign another couple of centre backs. Just to make sure.

Best thing that’s happened in this game TBF Neville gan radge.

Martinelli would have got chinned if that was against us. Big Joe would have chokeslammed him. Cuntish behaviour.

Anthony Taylor really has taken up the mantle from Mike Dean. Absolutely loves making it about him and seems to revel in making a bad game even worse.

This is typical Haramball from Arteta.

How I feel watching this wank.

Has almost exclusively done this against all the other big clubs. Has a poor record against them, doesn’t he?! Just plays not to lose and is happy with a 0-0.

They’ll do well to get 30 seconds of highlights out of this game. Never mind 3 minutes.

Neville sounds thoroughly fed up. Martin Tyler levels of enthusiasm.

Including those that originally, predominantly played CB before Arteta moved them to fullback. That would be 8 senior CB’s at the club. Disgusting behaviour from Paellardyce.

Sky showed an angle where he clearly does touch him. But it’s minimal and never a pen IMO.

Arsenal are atrocious to watch most the while. Very controlled, quality players. But they don’t take many risks in important games. Plus they always play with 4 CB’s as well as a holding mid.

I think that’s what it was. Young lad, bit raw, but with loads of good attributes. Then compared with that bunch of shite. Anyone competent would have looked elite.