switters

Tielemans had the one bit of sharp forward play putting Diaby in, who bizarrely decided to pull back across to waste chance. Feel like at start of season he would've shot there, confidence low

Garbage ref but utterly dire so far against the most hateful team in the country. Need to turn this round second half or season is going down pan.

1 minute ago, ender4 said:

It can’t be just because of Torres though.  Why is Diaby playing so bad? Tielemans playing like he did when he first joined us. Zaniolo not showing anything to improve our team. Kamara a little out of form.  Yet we are still just about grinding out results to keep us ticking over.

Bit harsh Zaniolo, only had 10 mins, and almost made a goal the one time he got ball in a half decent position.

Decent performance. Happy to still be in the competition, chance to progress at home. Martinez, Konsa, Kamara all top class.

Emery suddenly a 0-0 specialist 

Emi indeed the main man for us that half, though McGinn looking up for it. It's a tough fixture, Chelsea on form and at home. They've had chances but ultimately we've also had some, and we still in with a decent shot here. Bailey to come on. They have put a lot into the press and played Tues so may fade.

Did Everton seriously come out of that with 1 booking?! And that was a borderline red; two-footed, late and unnecessary. Nothing for Doucoure, Coleman, Onana, Mykolenko?! Multiple fouls all of them

By far the better team, but shithouse tactics won them the 0-0 they dreamed of

4 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

Hmmm can we win there three times in under a year?

Would be happy with a replay....if they still exist at this stage?

Can see this being on the Friday evening as we're fixed to play Newcastle on the following Tuesday.

they got the other cup SF on the Tues before so reckon they might go Sat lunchtime

Job done. Finally into that mythical kingdom of the 4th round. Clean sheet. No replay. All good really.

Glad we went Martinez, didn't have many saves to make, but think he makes a big difference in security of the backline.

1 minute ago, ferguson1 said:

Bruno acting like a total chump

I don't understand why you'd do that at 2-0 up. Super cringe-worthy and you're more likely to liven up the home crowd.

Sunderland way too weak in wide/forward areas, nobody holding ball up or giving respite and Newcastle can just bully them and keep coming back. They should be up by a few more and have this finished off.  Sunderland gotta find a way to at least get some set pieces or something because they barely got near Newcastle box.

3 hours ago, StewieGriffin said:

 

Marschall / Olsen

Cash - Carlos - Lenglet - Moreno

Zaniolo - Iroegbunam - Kamara - Ramsey

Diaby - Duran

Konsa may play, as I think he's suspended at Everton?

 

agree with the team. No suspension for Konsa for Everton as it's past 19 games, need to get to 10 bookings for a suspension now

Arsenal have form for late comebacks so wouldn't rule them out

Not too surprised by Spurs, Bournemouth weren't going to keep winning forever. Spurs are going to feel very much back in the mix if these results stay same

21 minutes ago, viivvaa66 said:

This season we have been presented the opportunity to go top numerous of times, and each time we have failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

Pretty sure the Sheff Utd game was only time, or when else did it happen?

Man Utd losing is nice. Didn't want them getting any momentum.

Would be a very good weekend if Spurs and West Ham can drop points too, keep that gap to 5th.

And a Liverpool-Newcastle draw please.

Should not have been that close. But we got over line and the 3 pts and that's ultimately all that matters.

Bailey MOTM, we needed to get him more of the ball as was always dangerous. Konsa also v solid and Doug. Diaby will get criticised for missing chances that might've made it more comfortable but did alright and at least he was getting in dangerous positions.

Defence obv needs to improve and we can't keep getting done by simple balls over the top like this. but should improve once first choice players back. Main thing is we can go into break in league games with a win.

Dang. but to be fair, not the worst time for an injury like this given there's only ~4 games in that time and one of them is FA Cup. if it had been the last month would've missed ~9

Suspect the main reason he didn't make changes earlier yesterday was simply the options available. He didn't have anyone on bench to bring on and take back some control of midfield, which is what we needed.

Zaniolo/Duran/Diaby all attacking players foremost. Iroegbunam was the only centre midfielder, and he hasn't had a run for months, so could hardly expect him to turn the tide in a game like that.

Just now, Tayls said:

One plan… 

Is there an example where we were being completely out played, changed our game plan, and then gone on to win? I’m not referring to games where we have looked like the better side, gone behind, but then gone on to win… I want examples of what Man U did to us yesterday… 

Man Utd didn't particularly change their game plan. They were pressing high and looking to get behind quickly all game long. First half the offside trap worked and they didn't take the chances that came, 2nd half they did.

He does feel, more than anyone, like our barometer player. When he's on it, we're good. When he's not, we're not. Fortunately has been a lot  more good than bad this season, but it definitely did not happen for him yesterday (that free kick delivery aside) and was also under par vs Sheff Utd.

Normally he does play through these dips and come back strong.

Abject second half, mistake after. mistake and didn't adjust even though their press was clearly causing issues and passing was off all game.  Ending as another one of those pathetic Old Trafford capitalions we should have left behind.

It's been a great first half to the season, pity to end it on the lowest of low points. Pretend title challenge definitely over now.

Played in second gear really. Done well at winning and exploiting set pieces otherwise not really been at our best and you can see it's not quite as connected without Pau and Kamara ( not that Donk or Lenglet been at fault, just is understandably not quite as tight).

Particularly bit sloppy on the ball since the second but fortunately they did not capitalise on the few chances that were onside. 

They also made a few mistakes at the back that didn't come to anything, hopefully we can make something of one of them

Thought he played well with very little service, kept at it and great movement/finish when an opportunity finally came.

Though I can kind of see why Emery might not have wanted to keep him because it may be that he is best suited for this kind of counter-attacking role. If he'd been on our team against that kind of low block, I think he'd struggle to make impact. But he is still young and can improve on all-round game. Olly has improved his considerably since he first came.