Deacs

1 hour ago, Matt said:

Cheers mate. Thought as much. 

Also true, however not only was that the most congested period, it’s the minority of the season.

For 2/3rds of the season we showed top 6 form. The fact that we went from relegation form during the middle third of the season to top 3 form in the last 3rd is massively encouraging. 

That’s the difference from Koeman and Martinez who were unable to turn things around. Makes me optimistic.

17 hours ago, MikeO said:

Where did you see that Matt? We're actually 8th.

Really highlights how good City were in the second half of the season . We weren’t that far off third though which shows what can be achieved.

I hope so Matt. A big win here would be great for confidence and momentum going into next season.

Really professional performance. Clean sheet and and two good goals which could have easily been more. Following on from some great games, I’ll take this for progression.

7 hours ago, pete0 said:

He had the likes of Anelka and Jay Jay Okocha playing decent stuff at Bolton.

That was nearly 20 years ago and he’s done very little right since then.

On 27/04/2019 at 23:57, markjazzbassist said:

Friday Night primetime!  it's a home game so expect Burnley to park the bus and defend for their lives hoping for a counter or 1 point.  The issues we had with Palace will be the same here, breaking down a defensive side and finding a way into goal.  I expect 3 points but wouldn't be surprised if it's a draw.  We really struggle against these defense first teams.  i'd pull morgan and put lookman in there and try to unlock that defense.  I don't see them being too much of a threat in attack.

 

                       Pickford

COleman Keane Zouma Digne

                         Gana

Richarlison Gylfi Lookman Bernard

                         DCL

Definitely a game to go with 1 DCM.

Another good game, he’ll be difficult to replace if he goes in the summer.

As a junior whenever  I asked for advice from an old supervisor his response was always “tell them to get fucked” stood me in good stead throughout my career.

16 hours ago, hafnia said:

If you watched bracewell you are looking at an earlier version of Gueye.....  he won 2 leagues an fa cup and a ecwc and he was critical to us. 7 goals in 95 games..... awesome tackler. Great engine.....

Terrible shame he suffered the injury he did as he was moving into the peak of his career 

On 22/04/2019 at 20:42, pete0 said:

I don't dislike Sigurdssen I just don't think he fits in the system. He's the type you need to build the team around to get the best out of him. Yet we focus more on the wings so would be better off with a workhorse. 

Gana is a massive down grade on the players we had before him. Yesterday was probably his best game for us but as always there was still negatives. 

I don't understand why we bought Keane. He's a 7ft pansy and no better than Holgate. 

No idea why you're talking about trophies. This side got smashed by League One Millwall because we are weak. We're never gonna win a cup with Keane and Gana. 

 

I agree with your thoughts on Sigurdsson he has done well enough but I think a different type of player in our current team/system would offer more. Familiar story for Sigurdsson.

Looking forward to this one. I see a real progression in the team and hope we maintain the momentum until the end of the season.

I’m not convinced about lookman but I’d like to see him start on the left with Richarlison staying on the right, and Bernard in behind DCL. Hard on Sigurdsson but if we want to improve we need more than he can offer.

I’d really like to see him play in behind the striker. He could run the game from there. 

5 hours ago, Shukes said:

Ye pretty sure PeteO meant the club of managers that are said, classless! 

I’m sure you’re right, but he’s still wrong. Comparing Silva to Fat Sam is a joke.

1 hour ago, Palfy said:

I would go with.

                                                         Pickford.

Coleman.                        Keane.                         Zouma.                          Kenny

Walcott.                          Davies.                        Gomes                        Bernard

                                         Tosun.                         Gylfi.

Gana and Baines are injured and Digne suspended, Walcott and Bernard are good at closing players down and do more defending than Lookman or Richarlison who are both quite lazy when we don't have the ball, Tosun upfront with Gylfi just behind who can but pressure on Neves when we lose the ball to stop him pinging long crosses around from just outside their area.

I can see where you’re going with that line up. Although I would like to see McCarthy start in place of Gomes and I’m not sure Sig is the man to partner Tosun up top. I think I’d go with Bernard as he’d apply that forward pressure you mentioned. I’d probably go with Richarlison over Lookman on the left just based on his ability to score.

On 01/02/2019 at 03:46, Palfy said:

try a 442 and keep it compact that will frustrate the shit out of them. 

Who would you have as your midfield 4 that you think could do that job?

8 hours ago, MikeO said:

He was a centre back in those days so difficult to compare.

Started out as a left back didn’t he Mike?

3 hours ago, Shukes said:

Bill isn’t saying anything that most of us aren’t worried about.

You see many players have an injury like that, come back having lost that edge.

Not saying this will happen, just that it is a valid worry.

And it’s not just the one injury is it? I loved MCCarthy as a player but I think his time here is over.

17 minutes ago, EFC-Paul said:

                          Pickford

Coleman     Keane      Zouma     Digne

                            Gueye 

               Gomes            Bernard 

Lookman                                 Richarlison

                              DCL

I was tempted to go with Kenny but Coleman is quicker and more experienced and Redmond might have a field day with Kenny 

Give Sigurdsson a break although his stats haven't been bad he hasn't  looked as effective of late and Gomes Bernard both put the yards in and I'd like to see what Bernard can do drifting forward centrally

DCL deserves a start he's had a great week so his confidence should be sky high 

I would be happy with that line up. I think Bernard could be a real influence on the game from the middle.

14 minutes ago, Aidan said:

I think richy wants to play in the left. I also think Silva knows that and purchased him to play on the left as he is better there.

The only logic I can see is if Siggy plays a deeper role and Bernard plays behind the striker where I believe will be his best position. However, is Bernard going to get 12-15 goals a season behind the striker like Siggy is? Those goals for us are valuable.

All in all, it's a confusing one 

It is, especially when you look at Sigs performances when he has played deeper. He’s no where near as effective there.

Also agree with you in thinking Bernard’s best position will be in behind the striker.

2 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

you could go one cm and have the barca midfield

 

                          Gomes

                   Gylfi       Bernard

Lookman           DCL        Richarlison

It’s a nice thought and we’d score goals, problem is so would the opposition (lots)!

Happy with that would have preferred a home tie though.

The last 5 years tell us he won’t be able to play consistently. It’s a shame because he could have been great. Time to move him on and bring in a player of the same skill set who will actually be able to play regularly.

3 hours ago, barryj said:

This competition is the only bit of real excitement left in this season. Let’s not take anything for granted. I remember loads on here moaning about the team selection that led to us going out of the league cup. Let’s play a strong side (with a few like for like replacements) and make the changes and give key players a rest when the games won.  

Let’s hope Marco feels the same way. A good cup run might just get the season moving again.

12 hours ago, Finn balor said:

I think we might get a hiding tommorow. Spurs are solid all over the park. Son Kane and Ali are on form. Like a broken record we need to take our chances. It will be interesting to see if he drops Mina. I think he has to as Zouma and Keane were probably our best players against city. I’d go 4-4-2 and get amongst their centre halves. 

                          Pickford

coleman.       Keane.   Zouma.    Digne

walcott.          Gomes.  Gilfi.         Lookman

                           Charley DCL 

I don’t think Sig works in that deeper role unfortunately.