Martin Dúbravka

[ExiledGeordie]

4 minutes ago, GEFAFWISP said:

See my first sentence, when that happens we'll lament not having someone who can save difficult shots.

 

Great if Dubs can prove me wrong but I'm not hopeful once we start conceding better chances. Time will tell...

It’s an interesting debate. Generally everything is a lot more settled for any goal keeper playing. Burn is in great form, Botman is back, both fullbacks playing really well and Tonali protecting the back four and providing so much solidity is a game changer. I think Pope will be a lot more settled once he comes back but he has looked very shaky particularly on crosses where he never used to be shaky. His kicking and distribution with his feet is truly awful but maybe with Botman back and Tonali there we can get round that and if he’s in form with his shot stopping then the defence will be back to that 22/23? levels. Currently tho you’d say Dubravka has start even if Pope was back but my guess is Pope would come back in for the Saints away match if Howe wants him as a number 1?

[Lush Vlad]

Not sure how anyone can pinpoint any one thing for this run we’ve been on. So many factors to consider.
 

Dubs, Tonali, Bruno moving further forward, Isak getting more involved and bagging every 5 minutes, Murphy getting a goal or assist every game, Hall’s ascension and getting better every week.
 

The way we manage the intensity and go hard early. Which has actually yielded results with early goals. We’re a different beast when in front. We weren’t managing the early goals earlier in the season. There is a while load variance involved here and hard to put it down to one player or adjustment. 
 

Game state has meant we’ve had a lead to defend and the setup suits us well. Botman coming back in has really helped the last two games when having to sit in. 
 

Also, not to diminish it. As it has been a great run and we’ve played brilliantly for the most part. Howe deserves great credit for the turnaround, along with the players.
 

But we have to address some of the luck we have had in this run. Maybe not the right word. But we were due some after last season, anyway. It was a good time to play a lot of the teams and the fact we managed to get early’ish goals and/or the lead most the while has helped us to get back to our best:

 

Leicester - looked like they’d never seen us play before with how they setup. Missing their starting midfield. We finally got a goal within 30 minutes. Created shit loads. 
 

Brentford - rotated the team for some reason. Early goal, second before half time. A properly professional performance. 
 

Ipswich - missing their best player in Delap and their back up striker. Played without a striker and we scored after 30 seconds. Again, their setup was suicidal against us. 
 

Villa - scored early doors again. They were coming back into it a bit before Duran’s meltdown. Played against 10 for an hour. 
 

Man U - two lads playing midfield who look like they’ve got arthritis and they were/are on a terrible run. Hit them early (there’s a theme here) and got the early goals again. Managed it well enough second half and sat off. Perhaps a bit too much and too early. 
 

Spurs - they had plenty missing and a makeshift back 4. Going through a shitty run like Man U are. Conceded first for a change. But again, we were so strong early and then just sat in. Lost control a bit. But still a solid defensive performance. 
 

Arsenal - rode our luck to a point. Again, we went hard early, got a lead and then at 2-0. Just went into full defensive mode. Let off the hook more than other games, I think. But also a bit of a defensive masterclass from crosses and set pieces. 
 

 

 

 

Edited January 11 by Lush Vlad

[Terrymac1966]

There was also bad luck that would have changed the Brentford result and sent Man U packing by half time.

Howe out!

[M1tche]

1 hour ago, Lush Vlad said:

Not sure how anyone can pinpoint any one thing for this run we’ve been on. So many factors to consider.
 

Dubs, Tonali, Bruno moving further forward, Isak getting more involved and bagging every 5 minutes, Murphy getting a goal or assist every game, Hall’s ascension and getting better every week.
 

The way we manage the intensity and go hard early. Which has actually yielded results with early goals. We’re a different beast when in front. We weren’t managing the early goals earlier in the season. There is a while load variance involved here and hard to put it down to one player or adjustment. 
 

Game state has meant we’ve had a lead to defend and the setup suits us well. Botman coming back in has really helped the last two games when having to sit in. 
 

Also, not to diminish it. As it has been a great run and we’ve played brilliantly for the most part. Howe deserves great credit for the turnaround, along with the players.
 

But we have to address some of the luck we have had in this run. Maybe not the right word. But we were due some after last season, anyway. It was a good time to play a lot of the teams and the fact we managed to get early’ish goals and/or the lead most the while has helped us to get back to our best:

 

Leicester - looked like they’d never seen us play before with how they setup. Missing their starting midfield. We finally got a goal within 30 minutes. Created shit loads. 
 

Brentford - rotated the team for some reason. Early goal, second before half time. A properly professional performance. 
 

Ipswich - missing their best player in Delap and their back up striker. Played without a striker and we scored after 30 seconds. Again, their setup was suicidal against us. 
 

Villa - scored early doors again. They were coming back into it a bit before Duran’s meltdown. Played against 10 for an hour. 
 

Man U - two lads playing midfield who look like they’ve got arthritis and they were/are on a terrible run. Hit them early (there’s a theme here) and got the early goals again. Managed it well enough second half and sat off. Perhaps a bit too much and too early. 
 

Spurs - they had plenty missing and a makeshift back 4. Going through a shitty run like Man U are. Conceded first for a change. But again, we were so strong early and then just sat in. Lost control a bit. But still a solid defensive performance. 
 

Arsenal - rode our luck to a point. Again, we went hard early, got a lead and then at 2-0. Just went into full defensive mode. Let off the hook more than other games, I think. But also a bit of a defensive masterclass from crosses and set pieces. 
 

 

 

 

 

This take on luck is pretty crazy, Howe has tweaked the set up slightly each game and teams are finding it hard to combat what we're doing. 

 

The defense side of our game has been top draw, across the games he's played Dubravka has had to make about 10 saves (haven't looked at the exact stats). Yes, players have missed chances and shots not been on target, but that's not pure luck. The more you frustrate players, and limit good chances, the more likely they are to snatch at the good ones they do get. 

[Heron]

Hard work, desire, belief, confidence, and a defensively rigid structure that the team believe in.

 

I think we've also reviewed each side we've played with how to break them down and generally we've cut them open time after time. I think in all the games mentioned above we could have had two or three more and yet we scored on average like 3 every game.

 

I know this is hypocritical because I will absolutely use the term on here and in person both in a negative and positive situation but I don't really believe in luck - we've won by design recently just ad we have won and lost by design (or lack of) earlier in the season.

 

Confidence is the key, and that's been reinstalled by Howe and the coaching staff along with folk like Botman coming back and folk finding form such as Dubravka, Murphy, et al.

 

Tonali and Bruno clicking is probably the thing that has impacted us most, because it's not just their capability on the ball, it's everything they bring off it. Others look at that and think "fuck me, they're good" and realise we can be unstoppable on our day.

 

Special mention for Dan Burn here. His leadership and application has been phenomenally good. Displaying the right attitudes, communication and desire - he's been a man mountain for us this year alongside an ever growing Lewis Hall who has been our player of the season 

[Lush Vlad]

33 minutes ago, M1tche said:

This take on luck is pretty crazy, Howe has tweaked the set up slightly each game and teams are finding it hard to combat what we're doing. 

 

The defense side of our game has been top draw, across the games he's played Dubravka has had to make about 10 saves (haven't looked at the exact stats). Yes, players have missed chances and shots not been on target, but that's not pure luck. The more you frustrate players, and limit good chances, the more likely they are to snatch at the good ones they do get. 

All of which I’ve referenced? I said luck was perhaps the wrong word. More timing and game state. We played a lot of those teams at ideal times. 
 

My main point was more that I keep seeing a very basic analysis like:

‘Dubravka has made us play loads better.’ 

 

‘No. Tonali has made us better defensively.’

 

When there have actually been shit loads of factors to consider and it can’t be attributed to something so basic as that. 

[Lush Vlad]

12 minutes ago, Heron said:

 

 

Again. Luck is probably the wrong word. But I do think despite agreeing with basically everything you have said. Variance plays a massive part in such a low scoring sport and I do think the timing to play some of these games have worked massively in our favour. Of course you still have to go out and perform. 
 

We have of course built a bit of a juggernaut game to game and confidence must be through the roof because of it. 

[Heron]

35 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

 

Again. Luck is probably the wrong word. But I do think despite agreeing with basically everything you have said. Variance plays a massive part in such a low scoring sport and I do think the timing to play some of these games have worked massively in our favour. Of course you still have to go out and perform. 
 

We have of course built a bit of a juggernaut game to game and confidence must be through the roof because of it. 

Prior to this run folk would have said we're playing Newcastle at a good time that's the thing. "They have no consistency", "They're not at their best", "They're not clicking.", "Bring in Iraola/Mourinho" etc. Etc.

 

To be fair - I see your point. I am just being argumentative toad.  

 

 

Edited January 11 by Heron

[The College Dropout]

Agree with what you’ve said.  
 

We’ve certainly been fortunate to catch Man U and Spurs at low ebbs. 

[M1tche]

50 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Agree with what you’ve said.  
 

We’ve certainly been fortunate to catch Man U and Spurs at low ebbs. 

Maybe Man U, but we beat Tottenham more often then not regardless. They only beat us last season, because we were out on our feet from game overload. 

[M1tche]

1 hour ago, Lush Vlad said:

All of which I’ve referenced? I said luck was perhaps the wrong word. More timing and game state. We played a lot of those teams at ideal times. 
 

My main point was more that I keep seeing a very basic analysis like:

‘Dubravka has made us play loads better.’ 

 

‘No. Tonali has made us better defensively.’

 

When there have actually been shit loads of factors to consider and it can’t be attributed to something so basic as that. 

I agree on the point it's not 1 factor, but it's certainly not luck.

 

I actually think over the last few season we've been unlucky because of when we have faced Man U. We always seem to get them in ok form and this time they should have been on a new manager bounce. Tottenham we beat more often than not since the takeover anyway. 

 

I actually believe Dubravka has made us play loads better, when playing out from the back. Unless we have both Schar and Botman playing we're easier to press when Pope gets the ball. 

[Paully]

6 hours ago, GEFAFWISP said:

Dubs will be getting pelters as soon as he concedes a soft goal from the same people spaffing over his passing. #cantwait

 

Pope has to go straight back in, he saves shots. Tonali is the difference.

If Pope was fit, you’d start him next league game?

 

No chance for me - the whole defence looks much more settled and are happy to play it back to the keeper rather than boot it out of play!

 

Yes, he hasn’t faced loads of  shots but the reason that we are retaining the ball from his distribution has to be factored in!

 

I seriously hope we do (and seem to be!)  all we can to keep him here for this season!

[M1tche]

6 hours ago, Paully said:

If Pope was fit, you’d start him next league game?

 

No chance for me - the whole defence looks much more settled and are happy to play it back to the keeper rather than boot it out of play!

 

Yes, he hasn’t faced loads of  shots but the reason that we are retaining the ball from his distribution has to be factored in!

 

I seriously hope we do (and seem to be!)  all we can to keep him here for this season!

Love this post, Dubz is clearly a worse shot stopper, but this version of him completes the team. 

 

We so close to playing see a pass, play a pass football, and bring Pope back in is step backwards from that..

[nufc4eva]

Yeah having Pope back in is terrifying because of how much he panics when ball at his feet and can't kick for shit.

 

Dubravka moves the ball on quicker as well while Pope takes forever and allows opposition to get back into shape.

[Thumbheed]

12 hours ago, Lush Vlad said:

Not sure how anyone can pinpoint any one thing for this run we’ve been on. So many factors to consider.
 

Dubs, Tonali, Bruno moving further forward, Isak getting more involved and bagging every 5 minutes, Murphy getting a goal or assist every game, Hall’s ascension and getting better every week.
 

The way we manage the intensity and go hard early. Which has actually yielded results with early goals. We’re a different beast when in front. We weren’t managing the early goals earlier in the season. There is a while load variance involved here and hard to put it down to one player or adjustment. 
 

Game state has meant we’ve had a lead to defend and the setup suits us well. Botman coming back in has really helped the last two games when having to sit in. 
 

Also, not to diminish it. As it has been a great run and we’ve played brilliantly for the most part. Howe deserves great credit for the turnaround, along with the players.
 

But we have to address some of the luck we have had in this run. Maybe not the right word. But we were due some after last season, anyway. It was a good time to play a lot of the teams and the fact we managed to get early’ish goals and/or the lead most the while has helped us to get back to our best:

 

Leicester - looked like they’d never seen us play before with how they setup. Missing their starting midfield. We finally got a goal within 30 minutes. Created shit loads. 
 

Brentford - rotated the team for some reason. Early goal, second before half time. A properly professional performance. 
 

Ipswich - missing their best player in Delap and their back up striker. Played without a striker and we scored after 30 seconds. Again, their setup was suicidal against us. 
 

Villa - scored early doors again. They were coming back into it a bit before Duran’s meltdown. Played against 10 for an hour. 
 

Man U - two lads playing midfield who look like they’ve got arthritis and they were/are on a terrible run. Hit them early (there’s a theme here) and got the early goals again. Managed it well enough second half and sat off. Perhaps a bit too much and too early. 
 

Spurs - they had plenty missing and a makeshift back 4. Going through a shitty run like Man U are. Conceded first for a change. But again, we were so strong early and then just sat in. Lost control a bit. But still a solid defensive performance. 
 

Arsenal - rode our luck to a point. Again, we went hard early, got a lead and then at 2-0. Just went into full defensive mode. Let off the hook more than other games, I think. But also a bit of a defensive masterclass from crosses and set pieces. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a shame we don't have this much empathy for our own losses...

[The College Dropout]

9 hours ago, M1tche said:

Maybe Man U, but we beat Tottenham more often than not regardless. They only beat us last season, because we were out on our feet from game overload. 

They thumped us away from home last season. Could’ve been any number. 
 

Away our record isn’t good. We’ve had some memorable wins there though. Howe has 2, Bruce Joelinton one, the record saves Krul made under Pardew. 

[Fak]

1 minute ago, The College Dropout said:

They thumped us away from home last season. Could’ve been any number. 
 

Away our record isn’t good. We’ve had some memorable wins there though. Howe has 2, Bruce Joelinton one, the record saves Krul made under Pardew. 

Perez late winner under McLaren too. 

[Miercoles]

So basically he celebrated with the fans and everybody flipped out lol. Doubt he was ever going anywhere until the summer.

[Jonas]

5 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

They thumped us away from home last season. Could’ve been any number. 
 

Away our record isn’t good. We’ve had some memorable wins there though. Howe has 2, Bruce Joelinton one, the record saves Krul made under Pardew. 

Won there more than we've lost since 2012 - and two of the four losses were at Wembley

[The College Dropout]

12 hours ago, Jonas said:

Won there more than we've lost since 2012 - and two of the four losses were at Wembley

Didn’t know that.  I recall 4 victories during and after the Ashley era 

[The College Dropout]

12 hours ago, Fak said:

Perez late winner under McLaren too. 

Ah a 5th

[STM]

 

 

 

[GEFAFWISP]

A new contract? Yikes.

[SteV]

2 minutes ago, GEFAFWISP said:

A new contract? Yikes.

It’ll likely just be a wage increase until the summer, rather than an extension.

[GEFAFWISP]

Just now, SteV said:

It’ll likely just be a wage increase until the summer, rather than an extension.

Even that's a bit wanky tbh.