Sibierski

NUFC Membership winners.

BAKU IT IS

Benfica v Real repeat, nice.

Monaco just feels inevitable, because PSG had an all French tie last time in this round.

Injection So ending in tears. Get a couple of games at most then he's out for the season. Big gamble for Joe as that could be his world cup hopes over.

Miley won’t go World Cup, may get called up by Tuchel for a look so he’s aware in case of injuries before World Cup but the 4 full backs I’d expect to be James / Tino / O’Reilly / Hall.

Going strong and losing Really hope they slide down the over next few months because their form pisses me off, goes against all metrics.

Think we will go same defence then infront: Murphy, Tonali, Bruno G, Gordon: Wissa

This does feel a bit to me a last chance to haul ourselves into the top 5 race. People can keep saying 'only X off top 5', but that won't remain, especially if we can't go away to the sides we're challenging to get top 5 and win. Hope the boys can dig deep and get the long overdue W at Anfield, and accept the midweek game away to Man City as a write off because Brentford at home is MASSIVE for our European chances via league.

It's a bit different to other players in past because age was not on their side, Willock we could have for 2 more years then look to sell when he's 28/29.

It's more showing what he can offer, with age still on his side. It's a tough one, because with a year left and Longstaff the benchmark, what we getting? £15m, £20m tops. Any replacement will likely then need to be a Ramsey type of establishment so that's £35m+ where the quality doesn't increase at all. Or you accept you can give him a new deal, roll on next 2 seasons knowing what he can do, and spend >£15m on a project CM, knowing a different CM (i.e. Joelinton) could be off in 2027. Can then tie up wages in other areas (CB / LB) with Miley competing Tino for RB.

They have a small team where minutes is concentrated on a small selection that's so crucial to how they perform at the top level. Like Pedri is the lynchpin in the midfield and they'll run him into the ground everytime he's back available. Their away game against us is more an anomaly then the norm in terms of result/goals, which could be due to it being early in season. I'd fancy our chances more than against Chelsea where it'll be treated more like a Prem game.

£65m, oof. That's a very good deal to be made. Has it's risks, but one that's worth it around that price point for the next level he can go up too.

Barcelona will be running on fumes again come March onwards. Game over both legs will be wide open which suits us. Any European side I back ourselves, because they play open but then are rocked by how physically strong we area. Plus an iconic L16 win before going out in QFs, trumps same but the L16 being a win over Chelsea which will feel a shrug of the shoulders.

Guess also, playing in Europa for 4 months and going deep in that could do his World Cup chances better than staying at Palace, since this is his one and only shot of going to a World Cup you'd assume.

Yea, loved that. Could've quite easily rushed a clearance (and caused panic amongst whole team), but took the extra touch and played it out wide. Him and Hall provide such a composed outlet in positions that are usually poor players on the ball.

It was blocked, but did enjoy him taking a long range effort deep in 2nd half that looked like it was travelling at speed on target. Something we’ve asked for more of when 35 yards out.

Think if last night is the start of a run of performances up to summer, he’ll get a new deal IMO. Age is on his side and we’ll see it as a reasonable contract without having to spend on a replacement that is no guarantee in short term. We can then roll the dice on signing a raw £10m-£15m CM that will be on fringes with Miley able to get solid minutes at right back. Essentially helps us more to get this Willock back then sell and buy someone of value of £35m+.

Agree same thoughts. What he offers of the ball is hugely valuable, but at same time at this level, you need to offer quality with the ball or you can be a hindrance quickly. He’s obviously not a terrible footballer with the ball, but his decision making with it is routinely baffling (the constant first time passes). If he just switched away from that, kept it simple and done cross field sprays which he’s capable of, he’s majestic. Don’t want to be negative after the collective performance last night, but if he doesn’t address it, he starts to become very open for me to selling. Just he’s 25, a full international, which would be bitter to swallow because the tool / skill set is all there.

Seems to take an early touch now when ball is passed back, rather than before wait an age for it to come (taking steps back) which invites pressure and he slices it. Takes a touch now to move it a bit right to give him an angle and composure. Like you say, low bar but something simple that’s working for him.

Once again showed his class. He was abused first 10 by Bracola, could’ve lost his head with that penalty, but he just grew into the game and shut Bracola down after that. Immense stuff. The level of maturity this kid has is insane, he is an absolute gem! 2nd UCL campaign where he doesn’t look out of place. Get him tied down before Sky catch on and ramp up some bullshit narrative linking him to Man City or something.

Someone been taking sprinting lessons from Elanga? Looked insanely quick

My MOM. So good. This is the Willock we love and want to see, just a shame he’s been near enough done as a player for past 3 seasons Put this in Wolte thread in relation to a 4-4-1-1 approach. So starting XI of: Pope: Miley/Tino, Thaiw, Botman/Burn, Hall: Elanga/Murphy, Tonali/Joe, Bruno G, Gordon/Barnes: Willock/Ramsey: Wolte / Wissa Option is there to drop into a 4-5-1 to soak up pressure, but fundamentally that CM is pushed right up in possession. Does mean a different approach to summer targets needed to shape that midfield. Unsure if Ramsey can be moulded to play the 10 or Bruno position.

I thought he was quite good. It was a hopeless task to start off with, chasing shadows. Across the half he done his striker role as you want and collectively as a unit, good link up play. 2nd half, started off rusty again by the one touch lay offs not working, but grew back into it again. He’ll get better with his hold up/ where to position his body against defenders over time. He’s still very new at this level (you even see Haaland up to now be awful for it for his size, because it’s something you never need to learn in Germany) so I expect that to improve in time. Do feel long term for him to work he needs to be in a 4-4-1-1, so there’s always someone close to him. Think the way Willock played in particular (Ramsey to less extent as he was deeper at times), it hopefully showed to Howe it can be done. Do think a run of Willock as the 10 off Wolte could be weirdly the secret formula. Perfect player for runs beyond someone centrally.

Should just be play off if like last time. L16 and rest of tournament is then done after the play off.