Sibierski

Years? He’ll be 28 come end of next season and not many Brazilian CMs go into their 30s at a high level. He doesn’t have much pace to lose. Next summer (2026) we’d have to commit to a £200k+ 4/5 year deal that would take him through to like 34, which would be a mistake IMO.

Think of all the top players I would be most content with leaving on our terms, is Bruno. Feels next season would be last good season we’d get out of him at a push, so getting good value this summer whilst keeping Isak on a long term deal would be sensible business IMO. Obvs rather get UCL and keep, and add more quality, but not something I’d have a meltdown over.

Like if people have him as a C, would you be happy as him as a starter next season?

D. You can’t be having him as a starter in Prem any more, but come in for odd game seems fine. Think people putting him as a C are overrating him based on past seasons. Hes broken as a goalkeeper and can’t even kick.

The best thing about last night it going to pens, is Liverpool losing on them too. Winning, the mental boost that gives overrides tired legs. Now, they’re going to be mentally tired after a set back which will add to their legs feeling more tired. Gives us a great opportunity if it’s level after 60, to really push it and win it in final 30. Our midfield has to be all over them physically.

Fluid attackers, where one of him doesn’t just walk around and only come to life in final third has helped them loads.

Take note Isak

For all the space behind, it needs to be good balls into it. I.e. pass through a press and make it a more meaningful ball into space. It’s not a case of smashing it over a distance into open space, because it’s harder to get under control and gives CBs more time to read it.

Tino overlapped plenty in the game, Tino playing didn’t restrict Barnes thinking he needed to shoot every time he had the ball. Even goal last night came from Barnes shooting first when it was never on and it fortunately coming back to him. Like people slagged off Tino for not continuing chasing a lost cause when Barnes over hit a simple pass for the overlap, and it’s that type of thing Barnes lacks. The pass to Isak other week for his disallowed goal, Barnes held onto it a stride longer than he should and Isak could only hold his run for so long. Still rather he started in final over Willock though.

Probably say for Tino, he should look to develop into what Hakimi has become. He’s not going to be a RB that breaks line with passes or massive diags, but he can break lines running with ball and just be a constant outlet by his strides forward. Hakimi exceptional for it, and Tino should aspire to be similar.

Middle C. Start for good majority of sides in league, but level below required. Not kicked on as much as I hoped this season, but I do think playing with wingers in front who can’t control ball in tight spaces to link up play, limits him. Next season you want to see a step forward, but if ends up a limited full back, I don’t think it would be that much of an issue because of this athleticism and getting years out of him.

For what he was asked, sweeping and crosses, he was good. What we want. Issue, he spooned the ball into touch many times and didn’t have to make any low saves. Think I would start him on Sunday for the crosses element, and just hope we don’t allow easy long distance efforts, as one will go in.

I’ve never seen three subs come on and look more knackered than the rest of the team. We’re going to need our subs bench for rest of season to get us the required points, even at the weekend in the final. So they better pull their finger out.

Don’t know what the fuck Wilson does in training to keep getting minutes, but if it’s because he’s playing against Burn / Schar / Kfrath as CBs, then that’s a mess

Shambles at end, but massive win. If that’s us in cup final to see out 10 mins added on time, I’m going to lose 10 years on my life expectancy

Why the fuck is Tonali playing that ball when a pass was on out right Game management so bad.

So often when it comes to added on time, we just lose all concept of how to pass.

Just keep moving the ball like we’ve been doing for 90 mins. Don’t start doing stuff we’ve not been doing like that Murphy

There’s the shoot ourselves in the foot moment.

It’s been good that West Ham are a lifeless side. Should win this if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot.

Are people forgetting Wilson sub appearance against West Ham last time?

Buzz. Get to see Wilson tow his caravan and spend more time wrestling with players than with the ball.

That’s better from Barnes, don’t always have to shoot.

Outrageous save.

This is one of the poorer sides in the league and we’re keeping them in the game, without really threatening them. For where we need to get to this season, this is a woeful performance.