Roids

way too soon, let him cook

I was so sure he didn't bag in either, got that dead wrong. Regardless, goes to show how great he played as my memories of his overall performance was that he played incredible despite not scoring.

He's greatness is such that he doesn't have to score to be impactful. Sets up the opener with brilliant individual tek. Think back to the two semi final Cup games vs Arsenal, didn't score in either but had the best defensive pairing in the league on skates over both legs. Most importantly, need contributions from everyone and his presence opens up a lot for the likes of Murphy, Gordon, Barnes etc

Isak's our only world class player. Tonali and Botman have the talent but still have to do a bit to prove it. Gordon

Pure revisionism, the team was doing well and Longstaff was graded by that & not his individual performances. A good Longstaff game/action would be an average Tonali/Bruno game/action, that was true then as it is now. He just had the hometown bias + playing with an in form team working for him.

I remember when a few posters on here were getting at some of us who questioned Longstaff being preferred to him...

5 wins from the remaining does it, will be tough but very achievable 8 would have us 3rd, possibly even 2nd

Thing is they have a squad. Real, genuine depth and Emery isn't shy of rotation. We all (us, Villa, Chelsea, Man City) have games against each other so you'd imagine points will be split across the board Don't think they fall off and it goes down to the wire

7+ points from the 3 upcoming home games and we'd be looking near locked in for Top 5 Won't be easy but the form and momentum favour us atm

Based on watching him. If Howe is the development guru as heralded he has Osula to work with who has a lot of raw talent. Need less projects and more players to immediately improve the first XI. £40m for Delap either as a backup, or even worse, an Isak replacement is grim.

Mbuemo, solves two positions, proven and is the far superior player. Delap isn't that good and definitely not worth spending £40m as a backup where there are more immediate issues Mbuemo is also only 25, near perfect age.

Yes, he is, comfortably so. Gordon ofc is a saint. Never gets involved in any bs... Too busy feeding orphans otherwise he'd have played in the cup final

Cunha >>>>>> Gordon

Higher level Champ/bottom 6 Prem player. Solid D

The loss of Hall and Botman coupled with Gordon's stupidity makes it really hard to be bullish. Given the emotional and physical exertion from their CL exit, there are their to be had, need the entire midfield to be on game. Hoping for the best come Sun.

Ehh, praise and stick are on different sides on the same coin. Not saying people should be griefing him on his personal SM platforms but a few aggrieved posts on an online forum are nothing. It was a boneheaded move on his part with a cup final looming.

I've been consistent in my criticisms (& praise) of Gordon, his sending off unfortunately doesn't come as a shock to me.

Some irony given less of the roid rage from Gordon and we wouldn't be a first teamer down an upcoming cup final and possibly be in the QFs of the FA Cup

Put an RW with real quality in front of him and watch him shine, you guys underplay the importance of team dynamics. He's a stud.

boneheaded move from a boneheaded player

Not meaning to come across combative but you compare him to Mane and then correctly highlight a few major attributes that he lacks (movement, finishing, technique, aerial prowess, dribbling(my addition)) in comparison. I think Gordon plays like a better Jacob Murphy, grafters who both play head down and direct with the ultimate intention of getting a shot off. He lacks the all round game (due to his technical limitations) to be compared to Mane imo.

He's nothing like Mane who had a lot of tech as you mention. Similarities start and end with pace except Mane could use his pace alongside his tech, Gordon's more of a willing roadrunner.

Was extremely bullish after the first leg, however, the recent home form hasn't been encouraging. Hoping the crowd can help raise the levels and also hope Arsenal feel somewhat emotionally & physically drained from the City match Still favourites but ...

You're not wrong, good to options for once.

Props were its due, the Sept - Nov form and performances were nasty as well as the hesitancy in getting Tonali involved but he's got this team rolling. Long may it continue