Sibierski

Missed the game, caught glimpses on catch up and just seems a big L. Think it shows the lack of depth our squad has, because whilst they can be great and on it, when it’s the same XI each game it doesn’t get the opposition thinking and they know how to work on to play against us. Badly need some good signings this summer so we can mix it up and keep opposition guessing. Doesn’t change much to our chances of Europe, win the home games we get top 5. Especially if we can load up on our GD against Ipswich by +4.

Think he’s going to be loaned out next season. We’re going to sign a RW and ST IMO, and so he’s position in squad remains the same. And at his age, he’s going to have to be playing, especially if at worse we want to trade a deal on him. Like in championship and he scores 15 goals, we get £15m+.

They spend loads and pay loads. How it works in football, you will win trophies eventually. Just the real top ones (Prem / UCL), you actually need to put consistency together against sides that have equal spending power at the top end.

Think if it was going to be Alonso, they would’ve had it announced already. With Klopp out of work and Ancelotti leaving with 5 league games left, I think Real Madrid feel they have him lined up. Him and TAA double announcement would be pure jokes Probably have to wait and see if there’s a leak that Klopp has been learning Spanish.

Chelsea disdain for this competition is a joke. 29k there last night really hope they don’t win it because they don’t deserve it.

That Man Utd game just reminds me of last season 4-3 under ETH against Liverpool. Built as a big turning point, but most people outside of Man Utd knew it was the end days, followed by continued poor league form. Trophy at the end that just papered over all the issues.

Probably the weakest TIFO going?

Going to be our luck in that situation to then get one of the English sides away in the league phase

Feels when he’s on a cusp of a yellow ban, he plays really well because he’s more measured in his play. Ban over, he goes back smashing needless tackles, gets booked and has to play on edge which seemingly compromises him

They've been forced to by how things have gone. Quansah potentially off in summer, Gomez broken, Konate with a year left, so had to keep VVD for 2 years minimum so he's held the cards in the negotiations.

Willock will remain unless a bid comes in that makes us stand up and take notice. He at least still impacts games when he comes on with his dribbling with the ball from CM, and he's contract ends 2027 so we can play around a year.

He doesn't suit England, but he's a completely different option because of his directness. Tuchel has shown early on his all about assembling a squad that gets along and has dimensions/tools to win different games. There's a valid argument on this form, he ticks those boxes. Like Bowen is probably the better player overall, but he's stinky for England and it's still a player RW cutting in (which we have Saka and Foden for). There's no-one else that can offer what he does right now for England on that RW.

Think 2026 is a natural parting of the ways. He'll be nearly 36 then, with Tino another year experienced. It's great he's got his spark back, and if he's happy with his surroundings, him staying for final year is great for us based on this form. Means we don't need to make any moves for a RB, or if Targett was to leave, we could get a raw youngster in who's got 12 months training before taking over squad competition.

In next 24 months we will be the side that challenges the ‘sky 6’, then Villa will want to be there too. Can you see any of those clubs signing Barnes for £40m+, tying him down at 29 on a 5 year deal as a first name on sheet? Nope. So would be a step down required if he wanted to be a guaranteed starter.

Barnes will be 28 next season and playing UCL football. He’ll be at stage where he’s happy to be a squad player that’s challenging for the major honours or he steps down a level to be a regular.

Gordon is a switched on guy, he’ll know Barnes is in form and he’ll have to work for his spot back in side, and also he needs to add the finishing that Barnes is great at. I can see Gordon working on his finishing religiously in the summer and be a better player for Barnes form.

Would love it if we bounced off a win, but expecting a real dogged game where a point for us will be celebrated like a win and be like a defeat for Villa which will crush them for rest of season. Fast and crazy start by us, take advantage of those tired legs, similar to the cup final.

Has a player ever had more impact for a club after not joining than if he had joined? Like what more could we have done with him than win a cup and be currently 3rd? Whilst he’s helped us to 2 goals and 4 points that could get us UCL. Win the cup still, be 3rd or even 2nd and still be in FA Cup?

Was mentioned earlier in season when we was playing within ourselves if it was a case of a new fitness regime that was tailored towards players peaking in April, instead of flagging. Appears to be the case, which is a good basis for next season and Europe.

Theres would be Mateta shot from 6 yards centre goal that Tino blocked and the header from 2 yards out that their own player blocked. As usual xg required alongside other stats/over time, not standalone.

Had a weird dream last night that we sold him in summer (club wasn’t in the dream), but when he came back he scored, done the lawnmower celebration and fans were going mental

Convinced him and Longstaff are just on a farewell tour, and Eddie is ensuring where possible they both get appearances because it could be their last.

I mean as much as Murphy form is insane, and he’s had some highs in previous season and high performance metrics, we can’t get misty eyed and change RW approach. The form will drop off, so will still need that top RW and can’t fall into the trap we done with Almiron. Just Murphy has proved he can be a solid squad player and relied upon when needed over next season maybe two if his physical output remains (he’s now moving into his 30s don’t forget). Said it last season when Trippier was linked away he could be the back up RB, and maybe that could be the option for 27/28 if Trips stays for one more season. Means we can manoeuvre for other positions in meantime.

Think there’s a fair realism that come Chelsea game, we will be 5 clear of 6th at worse now. Where a victory takes them out of it and requires Villa to be flawless in their final 4 games to overtake us. Draw with Villa, beat Ipswich, it’s ours IMO.

Can’t wait to see him turn up for England.