Sibierski

Could get ahead of PSG on GD where a draw may only be needed

Bruno had a proper stinker this game so far. Can’t string a pass together.

Really liking how we’ve got Joelinton pushed up more than usual. Makes a huge difference by having more threat centrally alongside the striker. Like that goal wouldn’t happen if Joe was deeper.

Well done referee.

What?

Get in! He’s absolutely scuffed that into the net

Joelinton starting very high up which is different.

Bruno recovery speed then

He joined specifically for these games, not for us as a club. So I'm expecting a proper top tier performance (at least some lung busting, even if he's done after 45 mins), if it's a low effort job, then...

Could have 8 sides on 13 points by end of tonight.

Qarabag into the KO rounds. Some away day that will be...

When Joelinton come back and he played a few games, we all said it was refreshing to have a fit Joe and he needs rotating so we can see more of that Joe. But it seems we are going down same path as before, run him into the ground. This will be 7 out of last 8 he’s started and could be a full 90 again (other game was 50 mins because of ET). Villa / PSG / Liverpool / Man City afterwards.

It almost feels like a “you were poor at weekend, so prove me wrong tonight” type of selection. It’s a team that still should easily get job done, but Christ. What did we spend in Elanga / Ramsey if they can’t be rotated options.

Same team from weekend, just change in striker FFS Howe, you do yourself so favours at times.

Burn and Osula back baby. Like new signings

Joao Pedro was mostly in the Championship learning his trade to become a better player which is key. Straight to prem is just a non-starter for many. Even Estevao who looks actually good compared to many others, is starting to dip hard because teams are quickly up to speed with his weaknesses.

His level is back at York, so the cunt is doing well to still avoid that.

I’m hugely skeptical about all Brazilian youngsters. 99% of them need to stay over there till early 20s at least so they can develop more. The money spent on Brazilians in past 6 seasons just been daft, all to hope they stumble into a Vini Jr.

PSR working though. Arsenal injury start of season, sign Eze and now not needed. Man City injuries, sign Semenyo / Guehi. Villa, digging around the bargain bin.

Coor, with Europe, they could proper tumble because Kamara is the lynchpin in that midfield.

Also if they wanted to expand the format, it’s easier to do in this new style and still have same KO rounds. Add couple more sides and an extra game (TV money will need to keep rising), they’ll most likely weight it so the top seeds play an extra game against the bottom seeds, which further helps them to finish top 8. Edit: The cynic in me would say if they rejig things in future, it’ll be so the top seeds play both games against 4th seeds at home, as a reward for being top seeds. Because top sides won’t be a fan of dropping points to 4th seeds or having tough games like coming to us, when others get easier ones.

The only thing that’s interesting in the new format when going into final game is the jig around in positions because you know which two teams you are likely facing. Less so this year because the bottom half of the 9-24 look poor, but last year when you had some big sides in the bottom part, it was going from a tough game to an easy game as each goal went in. Bit more exciting as a neutral compared to previous format IMO. Not a fan overall because the format is purposely geared towards the elite sides. One, there’s the extra safety netting if you come 17-24 to still be on the gravy train and go deep, when normally you’d be out. Two, the more recent change where finishing top 8 gives home advantage all way through. Three, the funds weighted towards coefficient, which links back to number 1, and over time should ensure more of the bigger sides routinely come top 8.

Think even if we went to PSG and won 1-0, there’s a chance we still miss out on top 8 on GD Main thing for me is winning tonight and that with our GD (unless we proper blow up final game) should cement us the home 2nd leg in KO round and that’s all we can ask for really. Not winning away at Leverkusen or Marseille is what will cost top 8, but it was fine margins game and across two legs, they would be acceptable because we’d back ourselves to win by 2 at home. There’s no-one who’s likely to finish in the bottom half I worry about over two legs. Napoli at worse because of the away game, but Conte is a mess in Europe.

That’s expected points. So it’s assuming we beat PSV.

Good chance both Sporting and Spurs are in last 8, which means it’s luck of draw of where you finish facing them in L16. Could finish like 14th and have them as possible opponents or 9th and it’s someone like Real Madrid.