Checko

If Bruno's picked he's going to go so radge I'm not convinced he'll make it to kick off without getting himself sent off.

2 weeks tomorrow we'll have a Tottenham and a second Chelsea and AC Milan to add to the list!

I think the more concussions he gets the better he seems to become. Should probably start him on boxing training.

Possibly a length of contract thing. He'll be 32 in December so often clubs want shorter term deals at this age and players want a bit more longer term security. He could also be wondering if there's plans to bring in his successor in the summer to partner Botman. Or maybe he's just too busy being handsome to get round to signing anything yet.

Think Pope is a top-quality keeper & this is a big blow. Lots of teams have spend a ton of money and got significantly worse than him. Kicking aside, he's a great shot stopper, proactive under the high ball, great at one-on-ones and very quick off his line to sweep up, which has allowed us to play high up with relatively slow defenders. Dubs is a perfectly good backup though so hopefully he steps up.

Dola, also, first yellow (stopping the counter attack) definitely should have been give. No idea why he wasn't booked then. That challenge, probably not for me, but they do get given sometimes. One that looks worse in slow motion, but he's just trying to play the ball in a normal way and Fernandes nips in a split second before.

No-one seems to mention how dangerous it was for Fernandes to put his foot right under where Schar was stepping. Schar could have done his ankle there. Thought Bruno F was lucky not to be imprisoned and deported for that.

Yeah Villa have been going at Champions leagues pace for over a year now.

Yeah that's the one, December '21. I'd say perhaps the Norwich game was his first big midfield game for us, but that Man U one was definitely the first 'right I'm completely taking over and there's absolutely nothing you can fucking do about it' game.

Even so, there's not giving a fuck, obviously not giving a fuck, clearly not caring that you're obviously not giving a fuck, and actively trying to demonstrate you're clearly not caring that you're obviously not giving a fuck. Surprised to see him in that last group.

I'm guessing he wasn't always like that. What's changed do you think?

Thanks for the input, he's been tremendous when he's played. Very few players in the world could dislodge Trippier right now from RB. I've seen a few people mention the Bale comparison. He's certainly got the athleticism and the attacking intent. That said, when I see him I don't see him as necessarily having that world class technique to hit that level in midfield. He's good technically, don't get me wrong, but some players, like Bale, Trippier, just look next level to normal premier league playes with their control and touch and striking. Tino hasn't looked naturally at that level to me (Trippier with Tino's athleticism and we'd be on to something). Though I suppose there's still time to develop and we still haven't seen that much of him to be fair. I have been incredibly impressed with his defending, which from his inexperience & Saints' fans comments beforehand I was expecting to still be a bit raw. He's been very switched on with great closing speed, no reckless tackles. Absolutely shut out. So in summary, I'm not sure he could be an elite winger/forward (he could probably be a good to very good one), but I do think he could be an elite fullback. Hell, from his performances so far he already is! And I'd take that any day, I think fullback is generally an undervalued position.

Thought he was brilliant yesterday. Always seems to have a top game against Man U.

Franz Beckenbauer wears Fabian Schär pyjamas.

I know it's great isnt it? Somehow they'll still bloody finish ahead of us at the end of the year though

Thought that was a really excellent performance, kept the ball well, passing and moving, attacking all over the park. Bruno G man of the match for me, thought he absolutely bossed it linking everything, but everyone put in a really good show. Almost gave it away at the end but deserved win. Surprised with how poor Man U were, even though they've not been playing great they really weren't at the races today. I thought they'd be up for it a bit more, though sometimes that can happen. Only negative is Pope's injury - looked pretty bad.

This game has jammy late defeat written all over it, but I think we've been excellent first half. Just a few poor decisions/deflections at the last moment. Team looks a lot more fluid, midfield popping up all over the pace. Having a full back who can attack option at LB really opens up how we can play. Man U were quite poor for the most part I thought, only real threat from Fernandes, who's a ridiculous passer, but they've always got that moment of quality from him in reserve. Hopefully another good half to come.

Never a penalty

Also, we all know McTominay's scoring a bloody hat trick tonight so I hope Isak's got his shooting boots on.

Can't stand Mainoo for no reason other than every time I see his name I think someone's tried to write ManYoo and fucked it up.

I dunno, when you get the ball in open play maybe. When you've got a chance to set up from a goal kick and do it every time, seems a pretty conscious strategy.

My only disappointment yesterday about tactics/subs etc. was our complete unwillingness to try and keep the ball for a bit 2nd half. Every goal kick we just booted it straight back to them and went back into the defending drill. Of course there's the argument that it gave us the best chance of winning as there was no risk of us giving the ball away in a dangerous area (on account of us refusing to have the ball), but frankly I thought they created quite a few good chances and should have scored a couple. First half I thought we kept the ball well under pressure and looked good, but a consistent theme when we're struggling (eg vs Milan, Arsenal, Wolves, Bournmouth) is that when we're under the cosh & can't do the super press, we don't seem to be able or willing to just keep the ball when we get it, slow things down, get a little bit of control in the game and wrestle back momentum. If you're tired sometimes you can conserve energy by making the opponents chase you, rather than vice versa. It's probably a lot more fatiguing mentally to be defending constantly as well, always having to be switched on at any moment. Plus the opponents aren't making any chances if you have the ball. That's the one consistent thing about our play that I'd like to see improved. Other than that can't fault the application, and the general organisation. Perhaps we just need a little bit more big boy mentality at times.

According to ESPN these are the tiebreakers. Goal difference in all matches comes ahead of any away goals so I think we just need to draw to finish above them. "Tiebreakers: 1) Points 2) Head-to-head points in games involving the tied teams 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams -- If the above tiebreaker initially involves 3 or 4 teams, it is reapplied to resolve any remaining tiebreaker among fewer clubs 5) Goal difference in all group matches 6) Goals scored in all group matches 7) Away goals scored in all group matches 8) Wins in all group matches 9) Away wins in all group matches 10) Disciplinary points 11) UEFA club coefficient." - https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38739455/what-teams-need-qualify-champions-league-groups

It's like being a Wolves fan for the day .

Obviously an injury crisis gives us a legit reason to recall him, but if we want to foster good relationships with clubs we loan to it will probably help if we try and allow them to keep the player all year if at all possible. Notwithstanding that he seems like he's getting some good game time and experience.