Shadow Puppets

Fatigue from 10 games in 30 days over December played a huge part in our form at that time, absolutely. What we're seeing now, in my opinion is a lack of confidence. The fatigue led to more injuries. The midfield has been paperlight for most of January / February. The paperlight midfield leads to goals being conceded for fun. Which breeds a lack of confidence. I think, now that Willock, Isak, Barnes and Anderson are properly back in the picture, we'll see much improved performances within a couple of weeks. A win on Saturday, and all of a sudden we have a lot to play for. Confidence is a huge factor in football... last year we rode that confidence all the way to the Champions League. This year it has been eroded and the glaring weaknesses in our squad have been exposed, and Eddie hasn't found a solution (though I'd argue that if he can't find a solution, then who can). Win at home on Saturday and everything changes, IMO.

You single-handedly make me dislike Obama.

Trying to look at that objectively, that was a cracking cup tie that had a bit of everything. Blackburn put up a really good show, as expected in games like that, and we still blew very hot and cold. The players (and Eddie) for the first time in the last two years, looked genuinely nervous to me. Like they knew it was an absolute must win to get the season back on track. Fingers crossed that winning it will go towards reigniting our season and instilling a bit of confidence / swagger again (because it’s missing badly at the moment).

I maintain it is ALL down to the midfield not functioning properly at all without the legs of Joelinton and Willock.

As disingenuous as lambasting our form without the context of missing goalkeepers and first choice midfielders?

You what? Joelinton, Willock, Pope, Wilson, a half fit Isak.

The issue quite clearly stems from the midfield three.

He had a tough first half… thought he was great second half though. Headed everything away. Would still like to see more Tino though.

Burn had a shocker against Luton, no doubt, but he was great for 65 mins against Villa and the whole Fulham game. I don’t quite buy the overreactions that he’s a massive liability… he’s not at all. Would still prefer Tino to start though.

I will caveat that by saying that is based on info I had two weeks ago, so I'm not sure if anything has changed. I was told two weeks ago that it would likely be early March before we saw him back on the pitch.

They're taking it very carefully with him due to the nature of the injury. So he is training, yes, but nowhere near full intensity. Much like they did with Botman.

I have nothing to report on that one mate. The only injury I can really report on is the Anderson one… still a month away at least last I heard.

Although in reality there probably won’t be any incomings, his exact words were… ”I’d be more than happy if the window shut right now with no incomings or outgoings”

Absolutely fucking brilliant result, and 80 mins of excellent performance. What a night!

Fantastic first half performance. Just need to keep it simple second half. Catch them on the break when it opens up.

He said no war chest meaning we're not going to just go out and spend £200m without selling anyone. But in my opinion, and reading between the lines, he very much expects a busy summer, but it'll hinge on someone significant leaving.

Anderson’s still at least a month away.

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Eh? I watched a really scrappy game… one where both teams were poor… one where Fulham had 2/3 shots on goal all game… and where we took two chances that fell our way. We didn’t play well with the ball, but defensively we were pretty good. The midfield for me is the problem. A seeming lack of confidence / ability to keep the ball. Understandable considering the absentees.

Is it?

? Maybe take a break from the internet mate.

??

See my post above. He hasn’t pushed for any more. That of course doesn’t mean he wouldn’t move if an offer was accepted, but he is in no way driving this.

“He doesn’t want to leave” doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t if an offer was accepted. But he absolutely IS happy at NUFC and is happy to stay. At no point has he asked NUFC to let him leave, or offered encouragement to Bayern. The club may have offered encouragement… his agent perhaps, I dunno… but he himself absolutely hasn’t.

He doesn’t want to leave, though. Don’t know how many times I need to say it ?