KingArthur

Really? A real sauna?

The thing is, if we give him contract, Burn already has one for next season and then Thiaw. That is 3 of usually 4 Cb spots taken. Botman is the 4th. If we are trying to push the average age of the squad down, like I guess we are, then that means we are replacing Botman? Of course Schär might just take Lascelles’ role, but would he be happy with that?

I thought so after the injury, but seems like it may not be a career ending one.

What a shit game.

Yea, but we are playing pretty much the similar way. Tonali cannot be effective for us in any other position than no 6/ deepest of the 3. He doesn't have enough attacking qualities and can pretty much only play simple passes. He cannot receive the ball in tight spaces and is not a big goal threat. Yes, he has been poor for a while now, but was excellent against City defensively for example. Moving him higher up the pitch just moves our problems to another part of the pitch. We tried with Bruno as 6 and it didn't work either.

Problem first half was also that we forced it forward too early. I dont really get why we hit long to Gordon towards the corner so early that there is only Wolte and maybe Barnes 40-50 metres away on the otherside. Gordon is not going to do anything but lose the ball there. Few passes and move the opponent around, not just full on forward everytime you get the ball. But subs made a big impact and FINALLY we have a bench that can change games. Would still like Wolte and Wissa together, maybe some day.

I agree in a sense that it allows Bruno to be more on the ball, but he is so slow defensively, that it becomes a problem. That would also mean dropping Tonali, cause he certainly has not offered much as a 8. He has decent cross and shooting, but he is not really a creative player. I think we could do with a young no 6 that is decent on the ball in the summer. Would allow Bruno to play higher up, but doesn't necessarily push Tonali out. Like I said, we were fine like this last season. And regarding yesterday, our midfield was outnumbered, and we were sloppy on the ball in general. Made it to easy for Leeds first half. A lot better 2nd half though.

Our CB situation is totally open, with Schär and Lascelles certainly leaving and Botman+Burn contracts to be solved. We should get a CB now in January if it is possible someway.

But last season we turned the corner when Tonali moved to 6. The problem is not Tonali's ability, but his form. Miley should start there now at least few games. Tonali's passing has been awful and we keep giving the ball away. He plays difficult first time passes and makes easy mistakes. When Bruno plays there there is no one playing the killer pass higher up. Tonali or Joelinton cannot do that. And when we lose the ball, we need Tonali's recovery pace. Bruno is our most press resistant player, but he also keeps losing the possession in dangerous areas because of that.

I think he was bullied by DCL a bit and the early yellow affected quite a lot. Positive that he didnt see red.

But on the other hand, I might pop up with positives when we play well and dont win. People who only look at the result will not. Of course I am happy as a fan. But surely that doesnt mean you cannot say anything negative? All the positive was already here. but its 2:40 am here. I am off to bed and we fight another day lads

So my problem was writing these things?

I thought there is some sort if ignore button here. Feel free to ignore me

GK should have been booked early on.

And of course you say it is a conspiracy against us, which is fine. I think Elanga from there is the closest. But they have changed the rules with ricothets IIRC. Nowadays Tino v PSG doesnt happen.

Show to who? This is Forum about football. I like having conversations about that. If people cannot see other than result, after decades of watching football, then there is not much to talk right? Every loss: Howe out. Win and get him a statue.

Howe said after the game btw: -wasnt our best performance -disappointed by lack of control he would have wanted -disappointed by the defending so he said pretty much the exact same things that I have. And I am a miserable bastard. and again I state: I dont want Howe to leave.

Regarding the first three, I can see the reason they had. Woltemade especially never a penalty. Arm by his side ball comes from very close. Had similar hand ball when we scored at Spurs, and it was given as a good goal. Gabriel is a ricochet. Martinez is a difficult one because he almost grabs the ball..

I think Joelinton was booked after he aplauded the ref? Or for diving?

This just is not true. We kept losing the ball in dangerous areas, so it was inevitable they would score. But maybe I return here if these problems persist and we lose a game bc of that. We should have a better conversation then.

Yea, my point is that how wonderful this win now feels matters not if we dont fix the problems. Maybe I am whiner then.

And hit the bar when 3-3? Aaronson has been great all season.

If this was meant for me, I enjoyed it. The win. But I know that Howe will also think how the fuck they put 3 past us. Today Howe made good substitutions, positive ones. Tried to win the game, but could have lost it because of Pope. And kept Barnes on, because he is in much better form than Gordon.

Great player. Looks like he has been in this league for ages

Yea, no complaints. I think ref had quite little to do actually, wasnt an ugly game or anything.