St1pe

I don’t know where I’m at with the Pope v Dubravka thing. Dubs didn’t deserve to be dropped and Pope has been awful since he got back in. By rights he shouldn’t be playing but Pope’s ceiling is much higher than Dubravka’s and I’m assuming Howe wants to give him every chance to be up to speed for the final. My gut feeling is he should have just backed Dubravka and that’s from someone who doesn’t really rate him.

I can’t deal with conceding to a Soucek header mind. Not again.

I thought his hearing was happening? Is he still playing?

How many successful teams play two strikers now?

Didn’t expect anything else but that Darwin kick out is much for of a red than Gordon’s. Literally chased him down to boot him.

At least another 8 weeks out for him then.

Good news! Can’t just be me who instantly thought he was injured when this thread was bumped though, right?

Imagine how shit Liverpool fans are going to feel when they lose from a Matt Targett corner for Krafth to nod in at the back post.

Gutted. He doesn’t deserve and injury like this given the graft he’s put in to win that left back slot. Hopefully it isn’t something that plagues him long term.

Hard to remember major occasions but used to frequently talk about how Rafa would fix things in game. We’d often improve in the second half. A random example that springs to mind was West Ham at home. Antonio was a winger then and was free all game in the first 30 mins or so right in front of where we were sat - Rafa was on the touchline waving his arms around and after than spell he never got in again. I still think he’s got unfinished business here despite loving Howe.

Nice to see that people are measured in their frustrations when something like this happens.

Of all the ups and downs we’ve had in the last two seasons under Howe this one has got me feeling canny flat. It’s definitely more than post-game feeling but more the trajectory we’re on coming towards this final. The Gordon sending off, Botman still not back, Hall injury, Isak sort of fit but we all know what’s coming. Feel like that Mackem wife from Netflix… when’s it gonna be our turn.

Assuming Gordon’s ban is upheld, and it doesn’t look like one they’d consider repealing, it’ll be interested to see what Howe does with Barnes. If Joelinton starts LW he’s pretty much done here isn’t he? I’m not sure what I’d prefer to be honest. Barnes has that ability to score from anywhere near the box at times and if we’ve gone any hope in the final we’re going to need something extra. Yet Joelinton is probably the better all round option in that position.

Stupid decision by Gordon but that isn’t a red card. The lad missing a cup final for that is criminal.

No early goals conceded please lads. I want to try and get into this one without sitting with a pure scowl on my face

Too early for the Woodgate comparisons?

I don’t really think you can decide we’re a 1 man team based on an away trip to Anfield while they’re top of the league mind.

There’s got to be some sort of issue with the amount of early goals we concede too.

Dear god

Just when I started feeling a bit sorry for Dubravka. Family of sulkers man. Stuff like this surely also hampers his chances of getting back in as it could be interpreted as weak if he’s now put in the starting 11.

We’re gonna need Longstaff to take one for the team and wipe Salah out for this final aren’t we.

Don’t even like him but I’d play him. Pope’s fall off has been huge in the last 12 months. Probably a bit kneejerky. Bring me Trafford in the summer please.

Bet that was a good game for the neutral. I’m aware there’s bigger problems than this off the back of that second half performance but I’m not sure Pope deserves to keep that spot. I’m not a Dubravka fan either but his kicking is awful and for a shot stopper that first goal was as bad as anything Dubravka didn’t get to.

Cool. Just gonna shit my pants for the rest of the game then.

Time for subs