ferguson1

After the lacklustre performance yesterday, we must try something different, whether it be change in personnel or system, or both. We cannot keep churning out this narrow 4222 every game because teams have worked us out and it’s all too predictable.

Clearly missing Pau, but several players are either not 100% fit or woefully out of form. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I very much hope Emery can work something out. Perhaps we just need a positive result and a couple of goals to get us going?

Wilder will be licking his lips at our non-existent press and the way we’re defending set plays/crosses right now. He’ll love a tight game and to pinch a 1-0, which is why we need to mix it up a bit.

I don’t think Emery will but I would basically play a 433 / 4231 and get two forward players from either Bailey, Diaby, Zaniolo or Ramsey pulling wide to stretch the opposition a bit. I wonder if we can get 60 minutes out of Ramsey? If we don’t think we can, then Diaby or Zaniolo will have to start. I would also bring Carlos back in to replace Cash and hope we can defend a little bit better?

                            Martinez

    Konsa      Carlos       Lenglet       Moreno

                   Kamara       Luiz              

     Bailey             McGinn            Ramsey 
                                       
                             Watkins            

Subs:  Olsen, Wright, Cash, Chambers, Iroegbunam, Tielemans, Rogers?, Zaniolo, Diaby

I think it’s going to be a tight game but hoping that we can cause them problems with some width to our play. It’s a game we really should be winning after all. I’m going with a narrow 1-2 win though.  UTV

Zaniolo and/or Bailey at HT.  Got to do something, whether it be change of formation or personnel.

Very disappointing half. Been flat for a while but an early goal could get everyone going.

Konsa to move to FB maybe? Would he be better taking care of Gordon, rather than Cash?

Bailey to return to the starting lineup in place of Diaby you would think. 

Tough game, just hope we can put in a similar performance to how we last played them at home. Watkins and McGinn destroyed their back line that day. 

Lost 2-1 away to Man Utd this afternoon. Daly scored from the penalty spot in the second half after being 2-0 down at the break.

I missed the game today, but sounds like we much better in the second half, so perhaps that’s encouraging. 

Idiots. Back to the dark ages.

Fantastic away support

We’re still in the cup

Martinez MOTM

Still unbeaten in 2024

Cash and Diaby off surely 

Our away support is fantastic.

I fancy us to steal this.

Get Bailey on and stop Chilwell pushing forward. 

1 minute ago, DJBOB said:

Wouldn't be surprised to see KKH on for Moreno too.

Moreno's still not up to fitness I think.

KKH isn’t on the bench, as cup tied 

Time for Bailey and Zaniolo I reckon

Thank goodness. Just simply the best goalkeeper in the world. POTS so far 

Duran would have been a useful option tonight if fit. Need someone to hold the ball better up top. Perhaps Zaniolo for Diaby early second half?

Just need to get in 0-0 at half-time and sort it out. Far too lose and casual with our passing. Too many errors.

Only the radio for me, but I haven’t even heard Kamara mentioned? 

Watkins a little lucky to escape a booking there

Martinez really is irreplaceable 

Wouldn’t swap Martinez for anyone.

and of course it’s disallowed 

Dougie

Move to other football:

Brentford have signed Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson from Swedish side Elfsborg until June 2028 for an undisclosed fee. 

The 22-year-old was named 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year in the Swedish top flight after keeping the most clean sheets in the division.

Valdimarsson has won five Iceland caps, having made his debut against Portugal in November 2023.

He joins the Bees for a fee reportedly worth £2.6m.

The quarter-final draw was due to be conducted live on the BBC on Friday, but has been postponed while the FA - which has referred the matter to an independent tribunal - conducts its investigation.

Doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a good outcome. I think we’ll be removed from the competition.