VillaAlex

Van Der Ven looks a phenomenal defender I have to say. Saying that, with their high line like us he's going to keep getting hamstring injuries. 

I think it's a sensible team tbh. Don't trust Diaby/Rogers enough to do the defensive work. 

6 hours ago, CVByrne said:

Shocking night for our chances of that 5th CL spot

It went pretty much as expected.

7 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

 

Such a class act. 

I think obviously Unai would have wanted a win today but I think it played out pretty much how he'd have liked it to. 

Apart from one small mistake in the second half, I thought he was our best player today. 

Lenglet has made a lot of important interceptions. 

3 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

Can't watch it right now, what were some good take aways from it?

Poor positioning of players holding line in some of clips, not staying inline with Pau. Been discussed a lot I think but it's always the responsibility of other defenders to stay in line with player closest to the ball. 

High line higher than he'd like at times.

Likes Moreno to be a winger almost to stretch teams. 

Posted in Emery thread but also here, very insightful especially how he mentioned Emery has made him study Manu Trigueros of Villarreal inside out, in particular how he attempts through balls.

Great insight this especially of what isn't going to plan in some of the clips. 

I might be wrong here but if Man City get to the FA Cup semis, their game with Spurs will be postponed and moved to midweek, and Spurs potentially face the gruelling Man City, Arsenal matches in 4 days like we did back in December. 

If anyone was to do anything it was Eze. A rocket.

Can't see Palace doing us any favours today. They look toothless going forward. Just hoping Spurs carry on the same but they tend to come out better in the second half. Hope I'm wrong. 

Quite happy with my predictions bar Burnley and Man Utd. 

Newcastle and Brentford I had higher positions but both have had bad injury problems. 

I put Liverpool to win the league and I still think that will happen as much as I'd like to avoid it. 

It's impossible to know. More games means more distractions from the pressure that can build up waiting a week for a match, but also means less prep and there's no guarantee each week if you'll be sharper or more fatigued. 

Depends on players mentality and conditioning which is impossible to know. As Unai says playing more games also gives more time to practice in game scenarios, approaches etc...

1 minute ago, sharkyvilla said:

He could have had a very decent career with us if he didn't just give up halfway through the loan.  At least he seems to have learnt and knuckled down but how long it'll last is anybody's guess.

People often attribute giving up to the struggle of staying injury free and having confidence.

See Bailey, there are very fine margins to players being able to perform to the top of their game or struggle.

It's those who can consistently do this even with injuries etc which make them truly elite players. 

Carlos Gil also scored in the same game. 

Bruno Fernandes now 2 yellow cards from a 2 game ban, with 6 games left till the amnesty.

Spurs don't really have anyone close.

We have McGinn on 7 yellows who needs to be careful now. 

4 hours ago, Pinebro said:

It isn't good that we have to go to Arsenal and Man City away from home.

I think the Spurs game will be absolutely massive.

City away yep getting anything will be huge. 

Arsenal it's played at the sort of time they tend to bottle games and if they overturn Porto will be in between Champions League quarter final games.

Thought he was good going forward but defensively not great. His positioning in the second half cost us a goal and on two other occasions he didn't keep the line. It's basic defending so very frustrating, especially when you are the last in line. 

Yep he worked his arse off to the very end. One of his best performances imo. His endurance has always been questionable to me but he was pressing relentlessly till the very end. 

Sambi Lokonga would be a really smart pickup if possible. Arsenal were dumb enough to sell Emi to us after all.

Press resistant, turning circle similar to McGinn, good passer and good recovery pace.

Right age profile, Belgian and having a great season with Luton. 

Probably going for the barbeque. 

I'd be livid if I was a Sheff Utd fan. It's not just they're not good enough they've given up. Same Vs us. Shows how bad our relegation side was when they'll pick up more points still. Dreadful.