The Prophet Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 1 minute ago, GWN said: I've seen over the weekend to expect an incredible fight from the relegation threatened teams . Not a great time to play them tbh It can be a double edged sword. Some teams fight and show great determination, others are low on confidence and give up easily (we've seen both down the years). We've just played Everton and Southampton. We played Norwich and Burnley right at the back of last season too. I'm sure we'll be prepared and know exactly what to expect. Liverpool will be in the same boat too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Duper Branko Strupar Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 1 hour ago, The Prophet said: It'll be interesting to see how Leeds set up. Against City, it was the lowest of low blocks with all hands to the pump. City sliced through it at will. You'd think here Allardyce will need to utilise the crowd. We're not the fastest of starters on the road and turning the ball over to us from off might make for a nervy atmosphere. At West Brom, it was usually 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 and they took some absolute hidings in his earlier games, including heavy home defeats to Villa, Leeds, Arsenal and City. Based on this, I think he'll go more or less the same, but potentially try to be a bit more adventurous on the break by utilising pace over the top from his signature "long passes". On their day, Harrison and Gnonto can be a handful. If they set up as expected the burden will be on us to break them down. We'll have lots of the ball and based on the City game we'll get plenty of dangerous set piece opportunities. Both Isak and Wilson starting might not be the worst thing for this one, though without Longstaff the balance of the midfield might be an issue again. It does feel incredibly similar to the game at Goodison Park. Score first and I think we'll run out comfortable winners, but if they get momentum it could get a bit nervy. Overall though, I think we'll have a bit too much quality for them: 1-3. If he tries Bamford as a target man again he's off his rocker. We'll mop that up all day long. Ayling and Firpo are awful defenders as well so we should get plenty of joy down the sides. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohmelads Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 (edited) It's not an easy decision but I think I'd stick with Isak and Wilson. Against the weaker teams lately we've started badly with one on the bench and then mauled teams with them both on the pitch. Arsenal are not only far better opponents than Leeds, but play a very different way. Leeds have conceded 69, the worst in the league, and I think this game will be a case of whether or not we put away our chances. Edited May 9, 2023 by ohmelads Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Displayname Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 3 games in 9 days now so I dont mind if we rest either Isak or Wilson for this. Maybe ASM could be ready for a start, he looked good against Arsenal I thought. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 8 minutes ago, Displayname said: 3 games in 9 days now so I dont mind if we rest either Isak or Wilson for this. Maybe ASM could be ready for a start, he looked good against Arsenal I thought. Howe felt he could only manager 15 minutes tops v Arsenal so this might be a bit soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Displayname Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 33 minutes ago, The Prophet said: Howe felt he could only manager 15 minutes tops v Arsenal so this might be a bit soon. Yeah guess I should`nt be that optimistic based on previous history. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 Please just fucking win. Think I'll cry if that oaf gets one over us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 18 minutes ago, Anderson said: Please just fucking win. Think I'll cry if that oaf gets one over us. What would count as one over us? Would a draw be considered that? From our POV a point would feel like a failure at the stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 3 minutes ago, TRon said: What would count as one over us? Would a draw be considered that? From our POV a point would feel like a failure at the stage. Feels like must-win to me. We need 2 wins to be certain, not sure I could handle the stress of still needing 2 wins from 3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 I wouldn't say we're in must win territory yet, but for the sake of our momentum and the pressure ratcheting up, there's a fair argument that it's must not lose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 All logic suggests this should be an easy win. Of course there is the hippo heed factor to consider but they've got to go for a win really after yesterdays results, so we should get enough chances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Butcher Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 If Longstaff is out I'd gan Back 5 Willock Bruno Big Joe Gordon Isak ASM Will not happen mind. 3-1 Toon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Duper Branko Strupar Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 I'd like to see Gordon and ASM in the same side if available, definitely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 I had PotT on as background noise and Chris Waugh was rattling on about Joelinton potentially going off with an injury on Sunday? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 Same team as Arsenal, we didn't win but we were against elite opposition. Leeds is a different game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikenewcastle Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 I hope we avoid starting WIlson and Isak together again if only because I hate not having a proper striker on the bench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty66 Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 8 hours ago, SiLvOR said: Can't believe this is so far away still Ever since it became "7 points needed" it feels as though there's 72 hours in a single day and we play our games every 3 weeks apart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infatuation Junkie Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 We will need 3 from 3 Saturday evening Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikon Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 I don’t care too much what team we put out as long as Isak plays as a CF. Isak in general play just makes us so much better and fluid as well as being more unpredictable. We need him involved as much as possible. His ball handling and all round play gets the opposition defensive line to lose their shape. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledGeordie Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 16 hours ago, Anderson said: Please just fucking win. Think I'll cry if that oaf gets one over us. Same here, I took Arsenal defeat fully on the chin, but seeing that fat cunt grinning and gloating if they win would be too much Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledGeordie Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, Ikon said: I don’t care too much what team we put out as long as Isak plays as a CF. Isak in general play just makes us so much better and fluid as well as being more unpredictable. We need him involved as much as possible. His ball handling and all round play gets the opposition defensive line to lose their shape. Yeah i agree I think this game Isak needs to go back to CF with Wilson an option from the bench again. Isak will torture that defence. Murphy, Almiron, Gordon as options for, the start and probs Saint coming on for last 30. Edited May 10, 2023 by ExiledGeordie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 That brief period of games where we had Maxi and Isak on the pitch at the same time was pretty tasty. They seem to have a pretty good understanding of each others’ games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Pope Trippier Schar Botman Burn Bruno Anderson Willock Murphy Joelinton Isak Need to get Joelinton back out wide. Anderson your time has come. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elma Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 16 hours ago, Anderson said: Feels like must-win to me. We need 2 wins to be certain, not sure I could handle the stress of still needing 2 wins from 3. You can never rule out Liverpool going to Southampton and scoring five or six if needed, so if we lose on Saturday there's a fair chance it's going to final day and the stress that brings. A point means we can still finish it at home before then. A win means we're nearly there as I'd fancy us for a win and a point from the two home games, and although I don't want to go to the final day we'd also have that for insurance. Still hoping that Villa can do us a favour at Anfield and reduce the points required. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_n_white Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 5 hours ago, STM said: Pope Trippier Schar Botman Burn Bruno Anderson Willock Murphy Joelinton Isak Need to get Joelinton back out wide. Anderson your time has come. While I agree Joelinton needs to be shifted back out wide Anderson is not best suited to that midfield role. Still think we are desperately short in the middle of midfield when we have an injury or two. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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