Btay

Gbamin needs a big game but I can’t help but feel it’s the wrong set up. I’d rather see Davies in a midfield 3 then Iwobi on the pitch. Happy Rondon is on the bench though.

Yeah, I can’t stand Kohli. Annoys me that me media seem to always focus on Kohli/Smith being the two best batsmen but Kane Williamson ( Joe Root for you lot ) are in the same bracket as them and hardly get a mention. Might be an Aussie media thing though.

Don’t hate seeing India losing comprehensively as well

Loved it myself, can’t stand the aus cricket team ( men’s and women’s ) as they are incredibly arrogant/entitled. Both my parents where born in NZ so I happily follow them as they just play the game how it should be played.

Win this and we still in the pack chasing Europe.

Our first 11 on their day can beat any team in the league. Depth is our problem. I think Rafa has set up similar to Ancelloti but more effective on the break - so yes but it’s circumstantial for injuries ect

Sacked from Barcelona.

Won’t be an easy game especially with our current form. Their 3-4-2-1 will over run us with only 2 cm’s. More bodies in the centre and pace up front to get at their back 3 quickly. Pickford Coleman Mina* Keane Digne Gbamin Allan Davies Townsend** Gray Richarlison * Haven’t looked to see if he is fit, fingers crossed though. ** Gordon unlucky to miss out but wouldn’t have an issue if he started.

Man is a machine. Meanwhile Delph’s probably stubbed his toe and is looking like 8-12 weeks.

Bit of that might due to Carlo having 3 centre backs in the back line most games and even 4 at other times. Still agree though, it’s almost like it was under Martinez/Silva - it’s disappointing to play low possession style of football and then concede from set plays.

Please 3 midfielders and no Rondon

It was pretty much unanimous here that we couldn’t replace doucoures energy with 1 centre mid and would need to play 3 in the middle to compensate so I agree. When I saw the score ( had to watch it on replay due to work ) I instantly thought it must have been another Micheal Keane master class but admittedly he was okay, even in a side that shipped 5. We still lack a true leader though. All in all we were tactically naive, even with 3 in the midfield im confident we score 2 goals but we allowed the game to be open which suited them perfectly. Had we stayed compact and in control I don’t think Watford have enough individual quality to break us down.

Seriously though it shows how much of an issue our depth & consistency is.

Well I’m not sure he will ever offer much up top for us. Can’t run the channel, doesn’t even seem comfortable back to goal or with the ball in the air. Doesn’t have the legs to effectively press. Richarlison has to start up top with pacey wingers and an extra man in midfield. Rondon simply is not good enough technically or athletically.

I’ve just watched the game and couldn’t agree more. Rafa was always bringing Richarlison into the game around 60 mins if we weren’t in the clear. Rondon shouldn’t have stayed on then. The game was screaming for another midfielder at 75 minutes. We could have played a pacey front 3 and hit them on the counter. Instead they totally ripped us apart.

Better compared to his performances at RB but still a long way off his levels from last year.

Depends on his mood really. When he wants to scrap he is okay, we will need to keep Gray up near him though. Just sick of seeing Rondon stroll around pretending to look like he’s putting in a shift.

433 as well for me. Davies or Gbamin who ever it is ( just not Delph ) won’t bring Doucoure’s energy so we will need both. I don’t think Gomes will be fit for this? Hopefully Richarlison is okay and can play up top because Rondon is dog shit

6/7 weeks apparently

Well when it’s rains it pours.

Shit I meant to put him in, was rushing this through before a flight!

Absolutely crucial we bounce back with a win. Probably still missing DCL but hopefully Richarlison is back. Mina in for Godfrey who is becoming more of a concern with each week. Pickford Coleman Mina Keane Digne Doucoure Allan Townsend Gray Gordon Richarlison

With the players available I think Benitez did just about all he could

It’s hard to say - they have passed it around nicely but didn’t really create much. I would say we had the more clear cut chances. If we have either Dom or Richie up front with Mina we win that IMO

Surely bring on Mina for this corner