VillaChris

1 minute ago, HanoiVillan said:

I don't really see why it would be an unpopular suggestion. The guy is the single best player in the entire league at turning the ball over in the final third, so if that's a skillset we're looking for (I'm not sure it is) then he would be an excellent signing. He also has a shot on him, and works incredibly hard. 

I'm not saying we *should* sign him - have no idea really - but if we were to sign him, it wouldn't be crazy, he's a very good player. 

It would be the old "He's British, overpriced and would run around a lot without taking us to the next level" etc.

Those are all things you would've said about McGinn two years ago and look at how he's improved his game understanding under a competent manager. He'd have still gone for 30m + if we'd sold him in summer 2022.

By today's standards he wouldn't even cost that much, probably 40m will get him this summer.

I think we need to continue making sure we sign players who actually want to play for us rather than coming here for a massive payday. Last year the forum was fawning at being linked to Ferran Torres and Joao Felix but in reality neither were interested in signing for us and now they both play for Barca so fair enough. Nico Williams I think could be another. Or he could just stay at Bilbao for a few more years as they'll be playing europa league at least.

Pau Torres however certainly did want to play for Unai again so that's exactly the type we need, wants to come for a new challenge and improve under the Don and in mid 20s bracket. A Torres for DM to keep that ticking over under Kamara is fit again would be perfect and the summer signing we most need.

Blame myself for that. Started watching when Arsenal were 3-0 up and you could already see them being over-elaborate in their moves around the box. In the end they just about got things done but it was very tight and they probably wouldn't if Spurs had got the penalty ten minutes earlier. Spurs were only playing two at the back for most of the last 15 minutes and Arsenal couldn't string any passing moves together with Havertz lumbering around.

However the most important thing is this. It's another weekend where we've actually extended the gap between 4th-5th. We started weekend six points ahead and now it's seven.

If it goes to even eight by close of play next Sunday then to me it's pretty much over as then Spurs would have to beat Man. City to have any chance and they won't be doing that as it will hand Arsenal the league.

Just now, Nabby said:

Generally this would be the case but they got beat by Atalanta and Palace there recently and the season is imploding on them.

They've still only lost one league game at Anfield in over a year. Far more vulnerable on the road as yesterday and the Merseyside derby proved. We need to show a bit more ambition against them and get plenty of set pieces in the final third as Van Dijk can't cover everyone.

3 minutes ago, Alakagom said:

Well given how shit Sheffield it, I wouldn't put it past them, I really hope it doesn't come down to GD on final day 

Well yes of course given we went 4-0 up there by half time without breaking sweat. However with Brereton Diaz they are actually starting to score a few themselves. Of course Spurs could win by a fair few but it's completely different to actually having to do it with no margin for error. Currently eight off us in GD and you'd fancy Man. City and Liverpool to stick a few past them with how they play.

Spurs-Burnley will also be far closer than a month ago. Burnley actually have a chance of staying up now, just 2 points off 17th.

Beating Arsenal twice without conceding a goal is certainly a magnificent achievement this season.

I don't think it's a given Man. City actually win all their remaining games so Arsenal could easily win the league so to double the double over them is some going.

4 minutes ago, kidlewis said:

We need one more win.

we are effectively 8 ahead due to GD on points.

 

after today spurs can get a maximum of 15 points…..

 

we need one more win people. 

Even two draws would mean Spurs would have to take 4 points from Chelsea, Liverpool and Man. City.

5 minutes ago, Pinebro said:

Spurs play them too 

At Anfield.

I'm not sure why you keep posting like this. Playing Liverpool at Anfield is a totally different beast to them on their own ground.

We have a far more favourable run in than Spurs. They also won't have much recovery time going into that Liverpool match playing Chelsea on the Thursday evening "who won't turn up against them."

Classic Spurs.

I get the feeling they won't beat anyone aside from Burnley and Sheffield United so whisper it quietly but we might have already enough points in the bag to have secured 4th.

If their plan is to be three points off us on the final day they'll have to beat Sheffield United 10-0 at this rate to catch up the GD.

2 minutes ago, Delphinho123 said:

Anything other than a Spurs win and I’m still very confident 

Yep. If Spurs draw then the gap remains six points with one fewer round left.

If Spurs then draw at Chelsea and lose to Liverpool and we get a point at Brighton then it also stays six. Infact I'd say there's more chance we'd increase the gap to 7-8 points personally. With then three rounds remaining we'd be huge favourites to make it as Spurs would then have to win their final three to have any chance of 4th.

2 hours ago, omariqy said:

Do you not remember how they played against Brighton and Brentford last season when the title was won?

Brighton were playing very well in the run in last season...went to Arsenal and won 3-0 so it wasn't a huge shock and they did draw 1-1 down there. Understandable they rested players on the final day given they were in two finals. This season it will just be one and Spurs isn't actually the final game so not sure why they'd just rest everyone for that so it will still be a very strong line up still out.

Spurs need wins to catch us not draws...If they drew all four games v top 6 and also drew v Burnley then they'd finish on 67 points most likely so they'll go for it and that will leave even more space on the counter attack for likes of Man. City and Arsenal to exploit. 

1 hour ago, bobzy said:

Pop some money on Blues staying up.  They do, you win.  They don't, it was only £10 anyway.

Amazed Blackburn are being priced at 12s.

Even if Leicester are up having to get anything there is still a tough ask so I actually think there's value there from an outside shot.

SHA only in a position to stay up due to all the points Eustace got in his first 10 games so that's the main reason Blackburn aren't safe so would be a terrible irony if they went down instead but stranger things have happened on final days.

2 hours ago, bannedfromHandV said:

I think Norwich will be going for it, I think anyone in their right minds would prefer to face Southampton over leeds in a two legged tie, SHA should want, and definitely need it more but then you have to assume there’s a sizeable difference in quality for them to overcome.

I’m hopeful, in an ideal world Norwich score a late equaliser to send them packing, that would be beautiful.

Famous last words but Norwich last failed to score in a championship game at Leeds on Jan 24th. SHA have only scored more than once in one game in their last 11 games.

So judging by that the best they'll get is a 1-1 and of course Norwich could just break on them if they're sending everyone up for corners/set pieces in the last few minutes. I can see it panning out like that.

3 hours ago, Rugeley Villa said:

They’ll soon have a local derby with Solihull Moors. 

Imagine if Solihull Moors got into the league (they'll be favourites to win the play off final) and had their own Wrexham style takeover and then outbid SHA to move into the mythical new ground. SHA then have to play at Damson Park instead.

Just now, Zatman said:

2nd lowest scoring team in the league after buying a 30 million striker. He has not done an amazing job at all. He kept them up but has done a pretty average job as thats not Everton ambition

Their only ambition is to remain a premier league club before the stadium move. That's all you can conclude when  their accountants regularly say they're not 100% they can continue as a going concern without fresh capital received. 

Looked to be limping as he went off? Bit brutal to just take him off because tactically it wasn't working as sticking Duran up there instead was probably even worse. We lost any sort of ability to counter attack.

What really should've happened was stick Tim on but keep Luiz on and just play three central as Chelsea were pushing their FBs central and we were getting completely overrun in that area.

They're not as good as Lille.

Looking at their squad and plenty of experience. Vicente Iborra as DM in midfield is 36. El Arabi their main CF is 37 and Jovetic comes in at a youthful 34. Their main danger will be Podence on loan from Wolves who caused us issues at VP last season.

I think we can take a 2 goal lead to Greece and that should be enough.

Mendilibar is their coach so it will be a very very low block for this leg so we'll have to be patient. Really hope Unai just dosen't treat it like a chess match due to facing a compatriot as he overthought the Wolves games last season facing Lopetegui and that played into their hands more than ours.

Can see us winning this 3-1.

1 hour ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Emi is saving both them strikes. But then that’s why he’s the best in the world. 
 

Fair play to Olsen for saving the one on one.

Really don't think he saves the Gallagher one at all. Was very well placed just like the goal in the cup.

Maybe Madueke which wasn't quite in the corner but Chelsea would've ben awarded a penalty from the move if it had been saved/blocked.

26 minutes ago, mykeyb said:

 

Or 4 out 4 ideally

That happens and we've already got enough points for 4th now.

8 minutes ago, Adam2003 said:

Will anyone judge me if I stick a couple of hundred on Spurs to reverse-jinx us?

Yes decent strategy really. You'd probably make more betting on Spurs to win all their games left. 10/3 tomorrow on Bet365. Then 19/10 to win at Chelsea and then 17/4 at Liverpool so already that's a 70 or 80 to one treble.

39 minutes ago, nepal_villan said:

We need Spurs to lose 3 out of 4 against Arsenal, at Chelsea, at Liverpool and ManCity.  

One more point would actually be enough if they lose three of those and draw the other game.

He's still a very good player who Emery never benches when he's off it.

I thought he was fine for the first hour so think the horrendous performance line is OTT. Issue with him is he's the weakest of the CMs at shielding the ball when teams are pressing. SJM 90% of the time knows when to back him and either win the foul or hold off the player and pass the ball on.

Doug isn't as strong and also has the tendency to refuse to release the ball even when he's about to lose it. Was very annoying to concede from that when Chelsea were already stepping up the pressure.

The perspective needed tonight.

Spurs lose their next three (which is very possible) and we'd confirm 4th by beating Brighton so qualification may only be 7 days off.

51 minutes ago, Alakagom said:

There's a reason he cost 100mn+, you can't find all these qualities easily 

Gallagher will be available for 40m. Think Emery can improve his close range control and passing. If we're looking for a younger McGinn then he fits and was a good battle between the two tonight.

Think the issue will be if Norwich are just 1-0 down and they hear Hull are only winning 1-0 so in that circumstance you save yourself for the play offs in the last 20 minutes.

They really shouldn't be as bad as Preston or Coventry were at least as they have finished top 6 for a reason and their attackers will cause SHA ponderous backline all sorts of issues. Look at how Huddersfield opened them up for the goal today and they'd barely had a shot in the first half.

8 minutes ago, Stevo985 said:

He really couldn’t. It would have either gone past Olsen towards the goal or got to Olsen when he was out of the box. 
 

Olsen **** up. And he knows it because he apologised straight away

Olsen would've just kicked it away if had been headed down towards him. It was a bit of a rash charge out but Carlos still had plenty of time to do better than a blind back header that basically put Chelsea through on goal.