one_ian_taylor

1 hour ago, Captain_Townsend said:

I think the fact we have been out of it so long has resulted in a situation where a lot of us Don't value the CL.

The CL is the main event folks. To get there we have to have our beat season since the 90s and to be there we expose ourselves in a way we haven't in a generation.

5 hours ago, DakotaVilla said:

Yep. No sense at all in risking it all when the upside was one point v city and we’re not in the title race versus prioritizing 3 points v Brentford and winning the first leg v Lille. Absolute no brainer and Spurs gifted us the opportunity to take the “free hit” with their draw v west ham. 

Yes - with the absences it makes total sense to prioritise these. And going further in Europe also helps our chances of CL qualification if I'm right in thinking ECL success contributes to getting 5th. 

We were competitive for a lot of the game with no Watkins, Torres, Martinez, McGinn,  Kamara

40 minutes ago, gilbertoAVFC said:

For some reason I really want Zaniolo to start with Duran

I'd like  both to play, but Zaniolo to start instead of Duran, and Duran to come on later, bit of an odd one I know

I'll  go with:

Emi

Konsa Carlos Pau Digne

Bailey Tim Dougie Diaby

Tielemans

Zaniolo

On 01/04/2024 at 23:08, Xann said:

Intereresting role for Melania there,  as it would presumably cast her as either  his mum or Mary Magdalene

Wouldn't  be totally surprised to see something  totally  leftfield. Unai often surprises with selections, but with good reasoning behind it 

8 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I say No because I have no idea who MGW is.

Morten Gamst Wedersen was my first thought - he's  almost exactly like Morten Gamst Pedersen, but right footed

On 24/03/2024 at 09:56, sidcow said:

A good water company executive these days is hard to find. 

Very good

10 hours ago, sne said:

So no Jean-Papier Papin then?

Mache-ly Young?

3 hours ago, Powehi said:

 

Trendy new street drug. Base ingredient is legal (Mr. Sheen) so not yet a criminal offence. All the kids are doing it. Also known as 'triple sod' 'yellow bentines' or 'clarky cat'

Stay off the cake

7 hours ago, DJBOB said:

Per fbref - 

We've given up 8 goals from dead balls - tied for last with Luton, Forest, and Sheffield.

And remember that Luton are equally prolific at attacking set pieces but pants at defending them as well so this idea that because we're good at attacking set pieces means we should be good at defending them doesn't really hold water.

In counter-point, we are second in the league at scoring from set pieces with 7 - again tied with Luton, Tottenham, and you guess it - West Ham. Arsenal lead with a staggering 15.

Christ, the Arsenal  game is going g to be one to watch from behind the sofa then 

Seeing as we have lost every game I have seen us play this season except Hibs at home, you'll  be delighted to know I'm  not watching today

49 minutes ago, Pongo's Socks said:

Let's hope the ref doesn't notice

We're short on players, and we need to be bold. We should not shy away from it, and just ask him if he wants to play for us too.

45 minutes ago, UpTheVilla26 said:

I'll double check the rules but I don't think you can play 13 in Midfield. 

Unai can do anything 

44 minutes ago, nick76 said:

Maths wasn’t your strongest subject at school was it?

No, I just think we really need to flood the midfield. Whatever it takes 

4-13-2?

10 minutes ago, troon_villan said:

That team is absolutely mad!! Wow

The logic I'm going for is "we have no midfielders,  so we just won't  play in midfield

15 hours ago, Jas10 said:

Just thinking… if both Leon and Moussa are playing well (hoping the latter has restored confidence and can hit some sustained form)… to keep them in the side and in favoured positions (either side of Ollie, who is hopefully fine and continues to fire in the goals).. and try to tear through teams… amongst the best wingers or wide forwards in the league, on their day? Attack and hurt the opposition with a front 3 while keeping midfield stable and fairly defensive…

I don’t know…

None of us do. That's why we're pontificting on a forum and enjoying the ride rather  than managing elite football  teams

39 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

I’m probably spouting rubbish… but I just wonder if we try to hurt them and exploit the form and confidence of our attacking players (namely Bailey and now, hopefully, Diaby) and offset our relative midfield weakness with our… attacking superiority? 

At least until we get John back… dunno how we are gonna defensively bolster that midfield and we will be asking a lot from Tim if he’s thrown in… would be lovely if he can step up and thrive…

Think there's  some sense in this, go a little more direct at times, try and bypass midfield, especially with the passing from our centre backs. 

1 hour ago, MWARLEY2 said:

Wierd one on Sunday. Because even more than us, you don't knowwhich West Ham will turn up. They look great at times and abysmal at others. And that happens game to game, not month to month . They have the players to hurt us, and far more midfield options. Tim will need to play the game of his life on Sunday , but if he does then we have the players to hurt them  . Do they press that much though ? 

The midfield options and physicality could be too much, but I live in hope

11 hours ago, KentVillan said:

Does anyone actually know how FFP works

Buy high, sell low

On 02/03/2024 at 10:47, Jas10 said:

 

What is this FA Cup 5th round of which you speak?

10 hours ago, Marka Ragnos said:

"There's nothing left to cut."

And yet, millions of Britons voted against their own interests and for the interests of multi-billionaires -- over and over and over again. Why? How does that work? Why isn't Labour's message winning against this?

What message?

Edit:  But we'll find out how well Labour are doing soon enough

7 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

If I was vegan who happened to be an assassin, I think Salt Bae would be my first port of call.

Ethical assassination

6 minutes ago, Genie said:

I know he’s not the most trustworthy person, but didn’t Putin say in his interview with Carlson he didn’t want any more land?

This is not war, it's  a special operation.  We are not taking land, we are maintaining Russia's territorial integrity, and we have the votes to prove it