Lush Vlad

Ugly, passing arguably the worst it’s been all season, no clue how to kill the game at the end. But fuck it, who cares. We just needed to win tonight to stay properly in the hunt for CL football. Take the points and focus on Sunday now.

Isak gets away with that push all the while. Didn’t he do it for both his goals here last season

He is so confident one v one defending and he is actually great driving with the ball. But going forward, he has become one of our worst players this season. Looks scared to do anything, so often doesn’t. Not the same as I remember last season. Always on his heels and like he is disconnected from it all and not paying attention. Hopefully he can find his rhythm a bit before Sunday. We’re going to need him defensively.

Tends to be the case when teams sit deep against us. TBF, to some degree, that is true for all teams. What is more annoying is how wasteful we have been with our decision making, or lack thereof. When we have had promising positions and a bit of space.

Not much point attacking the space with the ball, anyway. He’s up against one of the best one on one defenders in the league/world.

Dreadful game. We are painfully slow in possession most of the while, passes often too late or behind the man. Then we get near the box and rush it. Maddening. They’ve been crap and we have actually controlled large spells of that half. Yet they’ve had the better chances. Bit of a worry that Burn and Schar has gone from a solid, reliable pairing to a bit of a disaster in a short space of time. They just seem so nervy at times and not sure whether to attack the ball, drop off or jockey the man. That said, they are up against two very good players and they’ve not had many chances.

Barnes? Not involved in much in open play like the rest. But the Only fucker to have a shot anywhere near the goal

Bar the first 5-10. West Ham have been woeful. Really need to get a goal when the opposition are playing this badly.

4-5 fouls from Big Joe now. Next one he’s in the book and a 2 game ban.

Howe saying Pope is our Premier League keeper. Leaving it open for Sunday then. Would seem mad to rotate yet again. But if Pope drops another clanger tonight. It’s hard to say he should stick with him.

Pope was outstanding in the CL last season for us. They’re big enough games. But even as a fully signed up member of the Pope fan club. He started this season a bit up and down. Then looked extremely rusty and slow in the two league games recently. He’s our number one and showed he was a better keeper than Dubravka when we signed him. So can only assume that is the view Howe is still taking. Rightly or wrongly.

Spot on.

Regardless of the result tonight. There are some increasingly shit takes on this forum regarding our players, effort levels etc. It’s like a Twitter comments section under an ITK account.

Didn’t mention that anywhere in the press release/statement thing they did. It basically said he’s their player at the end of the season, didn’t it?

He’s better at everything bar kicking. People going on like we’re starting Longstaff ahead of Bruno or something His form this season has been well below his usual standard, mind and the two league games since his knee injury, he has looked sluggish at best. He was good against Birmingham. I guess people have decided since that shoulder injury he is done and that’s his level now. Might be the case, TBF.

B. Potential to get to an A.

Why? Is Alisson injured? Even if Kelleher has been their cup keeper. I’d imagine they will be at full strength for the final.

Moved quicker than Merino at the end there. He should put himself up top next game.

Allardyce after we lost 1-0 to THAT Derby team. Started quoting all the positive Prozone stats I was there that night and all

Not like you to focus on the negatives, Wyn?!

Raya doing his usual penalty tactics and diving an hour late. Awful getting beat there. Nowhere near the top corner.

Mental that Man U appear to be getting worse under Amorim.

I think every generation always think their era was better. Whether it’s sports, music, how hard people worked etc. I think there’s an element of romanticism and selective memory at times. But I do feel sports science, how well coached and drilled players are, the way tactics have evolved, the in-depth analysis. Often meaning players won’t cross or shoot in certain situations, as the percentages advise against it, as an example. Along with VAR and the diving/cheating getting out of hand. The amount of money involved and PSR/FFP making it even more of a closed shop. Probably a load more I’ve missed. Have lead to a less enjoyable game.

Level with City in 5th and 2 behind Chelsea should we win tomorrow.

When Odegaard is on it. He is great to watch. I always remember Buffon just randomly saying Andy Carroll of all people was a ‘paintbrush player’ I think it was because he got away with attempted murder on him in a pre-season game. Anyway, I digress. That description fits Odegaard really well, I think.