Smal

really could do with the crowd giving Sean some confidence. He's doing well so far today but he needs a bit more belief in his play.

really good foul by Burn.

if Leeds weren't to get promoted Archie Gray is the one to go for. Pretty much guaranteed to be a future international player.

Games in which Murphy has started this season: Premier League: (h) vs Aston Villa - won 5-1 (h) vs Crystal Palace - won 4-0 (a) vs Aston Villa - won 1-3 (h) vs Luton - drawn 4-4 (h) vs Wolves - won 3-0 (h) vs West Ham - won 4-3 FA Cup: (a) vs Fulham - won 0-2 (a) vs Blackburn - won on pens (a) vs Man City - lost 0-2 (played as a RWB) League Cup: (h) vs Man City - won 1-0 Champions League: (a) vs Milan - drawn 0-0 So the record is that he's started 11 games, of which we've won 8, drawn two, and lost one (away at Man City where he played RWB).

Our pressing has been off/late/non-existent since October but that can be put down, more or less 100%, to injuries and the period where we had to field the same XI for a dozen games screwing our players up physically. What I don't think can be defended as easily is that we haven't changed our midfield/defensive structure to defend transitions better. Sticking to your principles is fine and generally what the best managers do, but we have been conceding the same goal 2 or 3 times a game for about 3 months now with zero sign of it changing which surely has to be a major concern.

yeah, Livramento didn’t deal with Bowen well at all and that was highlighted particularly for the second goal. Bowen is a good player ofc but Livramento unsurprisingly seems much more comfortable on the right.

extremely controversial Man City winner in the 94th minute would be ideal

this is it. Yesterday ended up being a great day but performances are how you should judge football - not just results - and yesterday's performance was flat-out bad for the overwhelming majority of it, and we showed the same glaring weaknesses as we have done in practically every game since November. Like, we clearly need to do something about how we defend transitions but we're just doing the same clownshoes stuff every game.

De Bruyne's big game record is so bad. He nearly always goes missing.

game’s so shit they gotta spend half time hyping adult harry potter

Botman for a couple of months

I really can’t wait for Pope to come back, man

Sky had him on MNF explaining how they beat Man City earlier in the season and it was very much about his tactical decisions. A week-long circle jerk followed on Sky and his ego exploded I think. He does seem like a good coach though - especially for and English manager. Wolves have put some really good performances in this season.

he’s obviously a much better coach than Pardew but he has the same levels of unbearable self-confidence and also the ridiculous denial in defeat.

he definitely has leadership qualities as well. Ever since he broke into the team he’s always been shouting at his teammates and trying to lead the press. Again, really think that’s something we miss in midfield currently. Definitely deserves to start ahead of Longstaff atm, even if we just get 60 minutes out of him.

the only other game I recall Isak dropping deep and linking play as well as yesterday is the Man U game at SJP earlier in the season. We don’t make use of it as much as we could imo - hopefully will improve if we can get Barnes and Gordon into the team who will both run beyond him.

Think he can replace some of the physicality we’re missing with Joelinton out, you know. In his 30-odd minutes he won 6/8 duels (3/3 ground duels) compared to ie Longstaff’s 3/13 or even Willock’s 4/7 and Bruno’s 8/17. He brings energy and physicality as well as some extra technical security.

I thought at the time he was bringing Krafth on to play CB so that nobody else had to change positions. Thought it was pretty insane that he actually brought him on to change all 4 positions around mid-way through a half. It wasn't a surprise that we were a total mess after that.

Yep, it was his fault if anything tbh . Didn't start running back until way too late.

Wouldn't sell him for owt

Man U are so lucky, man

we have to try and give him some experience and get him ready for next season now surely Looks like he's been in the gym a bit

ridiculous football club

Isak dropping deep with Gordon and Barnes running beyond is the answer

perfect from Isak