srsmithusa

the sun says we're in, easily.  We can all quit worrying now.  The SUN !!!!   (over-reaction to a rag is intentional)

                 Emi

Cash Carlos Pau Moreno

Bailey  SJM Tim Rogers

         Youri

            Watkins

Emi time !!!!!

Well that was good

SOG !!!!!

Just now, NorthEastVillan said:

Think we'll grow into this half. Just need to frustrate them and take that 1 chance we'll get.

Or take the second chance

I think Unai will sort this out and we win this leg 2-1.   need more movement off the ball and need to pass more quickly with pace.  everything else will come.

we have not been frantic or scrambling trying to keep up with their intensity.  we have been very controlled.  Now it's time to crank up the pressure.  We'll be fine.

i don't think the ref is a cheat.  i just think he's not very good.   too big a chip on his shoulder.  has no feel for the game.  Doesn't understand tactics of play.

they are playing 4 across the front so our pasing around the back is not productive.  Youri or Doug need to show, receive and then carry it forward about 30 yards

lille do enjoy the tactical foul.

zaniolo LM,  SJM RM,  Youri and Doug CM, Diaby playing off of Ollie

5 minutes ago, alreadyexists said:

Just looking and it does look correct 8 conceded in 14 home games, but 4 of those 8 goals have been in the last 3 games… and they’ve conceded 25 in the whole season home and away. 

does that include the 2 conceded at Villa Park?

one of the many failures of the US is how insulated we are from the rest of the world.  I've never watched an hour of french TV before.  Guys drinking in the news room.  T-shirts on panelists.  it's quite refreshing how (in some ways at least) they are unpretentious.   Oh and the city center looks lovely.  Maybe a french vacation is in order.

2 minutes ago, It's Your Round said:

I know we should probably keep it tight and absorb Lille’s attacks early on, we have the lead and should protect it. However, I hope we come out all guns blazing and blow them away by half time, be much better for the nerves.

While i really want your nerves and mine to be happy...... i supect Emery will set us up to do as you admit we "should."  0-0 and we're golden.  (and either drunk to numbness or a puddle of anxiety on the floor - - i'm aiming for the alcohol numb.  Cheers!)

3 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

Who is Munroe? Never heard of this young player. 

https://cowtruck.com/

just to be clear, if it's a draw it's over and we win on combined, right?

If we lose this leg by one it goes to extra time?  PK's?

Zaniolo left, diaby right, tielemans withdrawn forward?  or some other combination?

McGinn farther forward than Youri?

UTV !!!

3 minutes ago, MrBlack said:

That's what I thought and why I asked if he did something? Maybe a knock or a disagreement with Unai? There's no real explanation he was rested at the weekend and not playing tonight, I'm a little confused.  At least we have him as an option to change the game.

after there is a goal or two, the game will open up.  when the match is more open, with more space, Diaby will come on. 

Tielemans is better in tight spaces where incisive movements and passes are key, Diaby is better in open spaces where speed and movement are key.  I think the line-up reveals what Unai is expecting from Lille.

10 -15 minutes of completely unacceptable defending.  You cannot be satisfied with a. o.K. positioning thinking it’s likely they wont get to it.  Every moment needs to feel life and death stakes to have their forward controlled with a “ no way he’s playing this ahead of me”. Attitude.  
 

instead we got a “we’re better and have a two goal lead, good enough effort is fine” attitude.

orher than that completely unacceptable, intolerable, run all week and still lose starting in the next match lapse, it was a good day.   Well done lads. 

commentators say that we have not won here since Martin O'neal and John Carew, but some of ya'll act like it was a certain win if we had only started different unhurt players.

1 minute ago, stewiek2 said:

Game over. But every loose ball goes to one of their players.

IMO subs came too late.   Zaniolo, Rogers, and Luiz were dead on their feet.

1 minute ago, Django_Zooms said:

Rodri and Akanji should have been booked for simulation.

i would suspect that Darren England has not booked a player for simulation in this league.