Lush Vlad

Can’t believe he is 6ft 6”. Plays like he’s 5ft 10” whenever I’ve seen him. Stuck record. But to get a keeper as good as Pope who can ping it about like Dubravka, or better, even. Will cost a lot of money. I suppose a balance could be had. A keeper who isn’t as good at certain aspects. But is so much more confident on the ball means we concede less chances, have more control of the game, another player to help bypass a press etc etc. Basically, what Dubravka has done since coming back in (along with other changes that have helped). Not really had a decent chance to save since being back. But we’ve barely given up any chances along with some shit finishing by the opposition who’ve missed the target. Fair argument to say Dubravka has been a part of us giving up less chances. Along with game state and opposition played, Tonali at 6 etc.

He’s already recovered fairly quickly for an ACL. I had it in my head the Arsenal game where he came off was January, but it was Feb. Then I was wrong anyway, as his last game was at Man City in March. That’s his 4th game already and he didn’t look like someone who hasn’t played at this level for 9-10 months. I suppose now it’s about all the risk of muscle injuries after his load has increased so much and a short recovery time. Not so much the knee itself. But I’m sure Bunce will be all over that and we won’t have repeats of last season.

Really grew into it. He was shaky early on. It was great movement and cross for their goal. But he’ll be annoyed at biting so hard on that fake run and losing Solanke. He was also trying his best not to use his right and it caused us and him some bother. But considering he had so long out and be was playing on the wrong side. That was a very impressive showing. We have some pretty decent depth at CB when Schar and Krafth are back.

I’d play Willock. But It’ll be Longstaff and it is probably his kind of game, TBH. We won’t see as much of the ball as we have in recent games.

Seems fair. A bit of time wasting and gamesmanship so you want to see legs broken.

Arsenal taking an age with that free kick and did their usual after 20 minutes. Raya stays down for far longer than he needs to so they can all have a drink and a chat. Of course we invented the dark arts and time wasting, though.

Shocking from Verbruggen. It was straight at him and not a particularly hard shot.

Still not really been tested much in the last 6 games or whatever it is. Which is due to how much better we are playing and the midfield actually helping the defence with Tonali coming in at 6. The whole team looks more balanced and in control of games (second half today not so much). Dubravka is a big part of that with how much better he is on the ball than Pope. It does highlight the need to upgrade our starting keeper. But as I’ve said countless times. I don’t think it will be particularly cheap to get a keeper with all of Pope’s qualities and also Dubravka’a ability on the ball.

You’d imagine that Botman wouldn’t play two games so close together after just returning? Kelly in for Schar/Botman and Longstaff in for Bruno would be my guess. Tough game. Need to be on it for more like 90 minutes and not just half hour spells. Just a one goal deficit or even better, nick a draw back to take it to SJP. Then I’d be happy enough with that.

He was brilliant today. I’m not fully subscribed to the idea that he’s been amazing for all of this season. I think his lack of mobility and limited ability on the ball hurt us at times. It did today a bit when the game was open. However, it isn’t his fault he’s a big bastad and the fact he is such a unit helps massively defending the box. Wins countless headers and gets to balls other players wouldn’t with his lanky legs. His positioning is superb when we are sitting in. You lose track of the amount of clearances and crosses that he stops. Along the deck or in the air. He certainly does the less glamorous stuff to a very high level. He also clearly has great leadership qualities and marshalls the back line really well. He was outstanding and probably MOTM after Tino.

He’s under pressure. I get it. But he always half answers questions being a bit cryptic. Then seems to just repeat himself and have a go at whoever is asking the question or the media as a whole.

Whether you like the law or not. It’s so fucking simple. Should we change it mid-game to suit you, Ange?!

I liked him when he came in and his teams are great to watch. But fuck me, he’s turned into an Aussie Mourinho pretty quick. Just treats the interviewer like an absolute cunt all the while and speaks in half riddles all the while and repeats himself. “All things being equal. You should learn the laws of the game… MAAATE.”

James Justin for Villa’s goal. So bad.

Nah. Too passive and basically abandoned any sort of control of midfield and counters were shit. Always wanted too long on the ball. Then the final decision was lacking, again. Which has been a gripe of mine for a while. Some of that is down to them of course. But we often seem to struggle to regain any momentum when the opposition take charge a bit more. Subs always late and don’t always positively impact the game. Barnes looked lively and Willock gave us legs today, at least. It’s a great result and good that we can win ugly again. Not a walkover like the last 4-5 games. Not being a moaning cunt for the sake of it I still enjoyed it and they showed character to defend like they did that half.

MOTM by a mile.

Pretty poor performance bar half an hour in the first half. But it keeps the run going and if someone suggested back to back wins at Old Trafford and Spurs, only 3-4 weeks ago you would have thought it unlikely.

That will just be cramp I reckon. He doesn’t look too arsed and the way he was stretching it out makes it look like that. Cramp in the calf is horrendous. Worse then getting kicked in the nuts

We were well in control at Old Trafford bar a 10-15 minute spell. This is shit.

This is not very good.

We’ve completely dropped off here. Asking for trouble when there’s going to be about 15 mins stoppage time.

Get Joelinton off. Fuck me.

Feels like a game for Barnes and also Willock. Just not the Willock of the last few appearances

We’re still so wasteful at times. Had some promising attacks all game. But the finish or final pass are lacking too often. Felt like we needed a 3rd before these subs. They’re the better side this half and have a lot more quality going forward now.

I thought that Bergvall was decent. Looks like he should be in a shit Swedish boyband. Was getting stuck in like Dolph Lundgren. Strong fucker for an 18 year old.