Sibierski

Mostly because when he’s up top for is, it’s games like this where he’s told to chase lost causes and put pressure on. When it was England u21s, it was the side controlling the possession, getting it in the pockets and him making runs beyond, or dropping into pocket and someone like MGW / Madueke making run behind. Our play is just levels below that, as it’s more about getting turnovers high up and breaking.

Think the best we can hope for 2nd half is to get a lucky break (like that Joelinton chance) where we score, and we can get some fresh legs on to keep counter going in final 20.

Good shape for most of half, but as half wore on, we got more tired and the gaps and mistakes started to happen. Bit concerning we didn’t even create one clear chance with that energy at the start.

Not sure what our plan B is 2nd half.

Gaps now appearing loads we’ve ran out of steam.

Pope SO SHIT WITH HIS FEET

But he wins some headers.

Both CBs taken out by Gvaridol ffs

What a shit pass that was to Bruno Joelinton having another mare.

Has there still just been one shot this game?

Set up seems to be good so far. Even game, but importantly we’re not leaking clear chances and got a threat.

5-4-1 with Joelinton LB out of possession is interesting.

Changing boots How do you not do that after warming up.

Please don’t sit off like that again Trippier. Far to easy.

Chances we could slip into a very timid 5-3-2 shape?

We play a high line, Haaland must be likcing his lips against the pace

Got to be brave today. We’re not going to out pass Man City in midfield, but should out run and out pace them. All about making the right pass and decisions when we get the chances.

Considering you don’t often get much change out of Walker side when it’s a foot race, I would consider a lopsided approach and have Joe / Willock back on left and the team look like this: Pope: Tino, Schar, Burn, Hall: Joe, Bruno, Tonali: Willock, Gordon, Barnes Focus the attacks all down our right with an extra midfielder in the middle where it could turn into a diamond 4-4-2, out of possession to shut space off in middle and force them to keep going wide.

Should be £150k ball park base (maybe bit lower like £120k), with incentives where if his output is on par with last season, he'd be taking home close to £200k pw across the season. That's the sort of contracts you want for hungry players. Keeps structure in place, performs, the bids of £80m+ will still come in time where you can sell for good money and not break the wage structure.

What toe is broken? Talking big toe, then yea of course he's a doubt and probably won't be back till after the October Internationals at best

Sold out Didn't rush thinking it wouldn't all go, and it has (long sleeve top).

Considering we've had a week off, Man City still look iffy at the back to start season off (and now have no Rodri), if we don't come out guns blazing with a full press, I will be more annoyed than anything else. Edit: It's fair enough if we lose it/draw it due to them having depth to throw on for final 20+, but first half really should be all us and putting them under pressure. Need a performance and energy to get fans going.

We had Kfrath and Tino. After window closed, we got 6 games out of him before he was injured. Then when he came back he cost us against Man Utd Wasn’t even hindsight for me, was a deal on table for someone who’s aging and a fee that was likely not going to be there again.

It’s newer, but within the concourses they’re so dated and crappy. Lopsided which is unique, but gives poor viewing angles and noise. It’s not in a bad position SJP at this moment, but by end of this decade it will be left behind if a new one isn’t set in motion. Elland Road will be having a major face lift by end of this decade too, and you expect Man Utd too. Aston Villa seem to be going way of Liverpool for their stadium upgrade, so can remain whilst modernising and increasing size Then it’s since the last time we’ve done anything to SJP… Arsenal, Spurs, Man City, Man Utd, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Leeds all with major renovations / new builds.

SJP is aging fast, and licks of paint etc is just papering over the cracks. Most top sides over past 10years or so, have either massively renovated their stadium or moving into new ones. We are neither, and likely can’t be moving forward if we were to remain at SJP. A decision needs making this year, and a new stadium would be a massive signal of intent from PIF that they’re here for the long term IMO. As you would be talking around £1bn mark.