Lush Vlad

He should be getting more minutes now. Joelinton injured and Miley being needed at full back. I'd start him on Saturday with Tonali and Bruno.

Yeah, similar to that underlapping run Longstaff used to make with a lot of success. Although last night, it was more just finding space and parking himself. As we played against a low block second half. His ability on the ball is far better than Longstaff and he worked almost as a bit of a pivot to play from around the edge of their 18 yard box. He seemed more involved from right back than he did in midfield. Not saying it will always be like that or his future lies there. But if it helps him get his confidence up and he starts demanding for the ball more and he improves in an attacking sense. Then I don't mind it as a stop gap, for now. That Kevin looks tricky and started really brightly. Thought Miley was in for a tough night. But he grew into it and Kevin shrunk. He disappeared and I only then noticed him when he was subbed off.

That needs to be clipped up, if it hasn’t been already. Did another Maradona/Roulette in the first half and all. Felt like for no reason, really. Other than because he can

I don’t actually mind Darren Bent on that show. Although I’ll caveat that by saying I barely listen to the show. Plus it’s easy to look/sound good sat next to the Piers Morgan of radio.

You have selected the lump of coal package. This is the top tier that Talksport offer. Included is Oasis/Manc wannabe Goldstein. Who will wear your jumper and mention you for 30 seconds every hour of his show, between all the advert breaks. You also get Alex Crook who tweets made up rumours non-stop and alleged journalist Ben Jacobs.

Would you even want that insufferable bellend in your corner?!

For some. The sunderland game has totally undone the previous 4 years under Howe, apparently.

I didn’t realise he was suspended for the first leg of the semi final?! No chance Burn will be fit and can’t be relying on Botman, either. Is Lascelles still alive?! What’s Miley like at centre half?

Praise the Lord. See you in February, Lewis

Good stats @timeEd32 backs up what basically everyone has been seeing and saying. I suppose the question is. Is Ramsdale’s passing ability more of a benefit to the team vs his weaknesses? I’ve been surprised at how glued to the spot he is. For set pieces, crosses and when the ball comes near him from a shot or otherwise. For all Pope’s faults and I know the crowd will go full Elanga on him the minute he starts spooning it all over the place I don’t think it’s even a debate at this point. As I don’t think Ramsdale has been good at all. Been disappointed TBH. As it hasn’t been anything like the change I was hoping for. New keeper in January/the summer required, 100%. Priority position now.

The only hope and best case scenario is that he felt something twinge and because it is in his knee that has been operated on. It feels worse than it is because of all the scar tissue and because of the mental side of things. Then he has come off as a precaution. The heavy strapping and ice is a bit of a worry, mind. But they’ve let him walk off and then do the lap of honour (to an empty stadium) Happened a fair bit to myself and others. I know you fear the worst and then it isn’t actually much of an injury at all. Of course their bodies are under far more stress for longer and at higher impacts, speed etc. And they will have to be more careful with how quickly they return. It’s a bad situation that we’ve got ourselves in. Two top level young full backs, who both have a history of injuries. Are having to play basically every minute of every game. I know the squad had loads of gaps and weaknesses and we were never going to plug them all. But it’s cost us twice already in half a season.

How many of Murphy’s assists to Isak were crosses that he headed in? Mostly low crosses and cut backs I thought, along with the odd through ball. I think Wissa will link far better with Murphy than Woltemade.

W/c Jan 12th and Feb 2nd.

Yeah. I know. I edited that as it didn’t make sense.

There were even two late on that were more like tackles. But he still passed the ball to one of our players and it looked deliberate. What a player.

Home second leg and so long as we’re still in the tie. Then I’d fancy us against most teams, TBH. So it’s a shame it isn’t that way round! Chelsea was the ‘easier’ draw. But it was pick your poison with any of them. Got to expect to be playing top teams this deep in the competition.

Both absolute bellends.

So would I. But I feel like he doesn’t dare as the crowd will be straight on him Elanga is far worse in that regard. May as well not bother coming on the pitch.

Teams have started bracketing him and getting tight to him early. As they know he is so dangerous cutting in but will also go down the line. If Hall was fit. I think he would have had more success tonight. Tino didn’t help him much.

MOTM by a street. Flawless performance. I’d love to see his progressive passing stats. Seemed to be playing 20-30 yard passes into feet every few minutes.

Thought he was a bit iffy defending at times. But that’s to be expected. Also defended really well a lot of the time. His passing from there helped the same way as when Trippier plays there. Tucked into midfield the same as Trippier, too.

Sunday really has fucked the equilibrium of this place. Usually everyone is shit after a loss. Then we win and everyone is world class again. But even after a deserved win in an albeit average’ish performance. There’s still plenty looking for the negatives.

Sorry. After the first paragraph. That is how I read it

Serves them cunts right for playing for pens all half.