May-Z

He suited Smith's style of getting on the end of crosses and running onto balls into the channels. As soon as he needs to be involved in the build up, or is needed to hold the ball up on his own, it shows his limitations too much. Having Davis up top would've worked better recently as he could hold it before giving it to an attacking mid. Having Wilson up top for the last couple of years would've seen us kick on a bit due to his power and finishing.

Trying to lay the passion and emotion to one side for a while, what have Newcastle got that we haven't in terms of the tactics etc? Largely, is see the squads evenly matched when going player for player, maybe with the Newcastle players having more pace and/or power. That feels a bit lazy to put it down to that, though. So what is the difference that is amazing them look a decent outfit and us looking a lot worse off?

Was it the same summer where we went for Wilson and Watkins? Imagine if Wilson had been in our team over the past year...

When people were eyeing up Poch for our role, I also thought that he could be holding out for a job at Liverpool. That's seems a pretty good fit for him at a team in the champs league.

The width is unlocked by the positions of the wingers being in front of the central attacker rather than tucked in behind. If you think of the average positions as the starting positions, you can see how much easier it is to use width behind full backs earlier. As opposed to the wide players being fed with the ball dropped back to them. With chance for defenders to close up. What you say about switching flanks also worked well as it meant the ball could be used earlier when crossing rather than it having to be checked back first. It's the type of stuff Gerrard just refused -or didn't know how to - tweak.

Assuming the person 'watching today' was watching their current team get pumped 4-0...

He said "individually and collectively"!

Top: Fulham average positions Bottom: Brentford average positions. (Yes, it's upside down but so it's easier to compare by attacking in the same direction) Just look at the difference in CM. The coverage of that area and the support for the central striker is night and day. No wonder we could play some intricate passes between three or four players when attacking today. You also got loads more width up front to hit early and create chances from wide or on the break.

I hope he's at home squirming about how he's just been made to look a clearing in the woods. He'll probably be sat there blaming the players for not doing that for him.

Wolves 21 shots, 0 goals Leicester 5 shots, 4 goals. Fire up the turbo-lolz

I've just seen his goal as I missed it on my stream. What a finish! That's what they call 'three bites at the cherry' right?

Probably a good 'last five minute, midfielder on for a striker to see out a game with hustle and bustle' type sub, but not much else.

Absolute class. The ball sticking in that final third makes such a difference. In fact, you could see the change when McGinn and Coutinho came on. We were much more careless with the ball.

But also 100% believable at the same time

Yeah, bit of a shame really. I thought that would be a bit of good man-management to give him a few minutes. But I do get that Ramsey and McGinn needed sweetening up and keeping onside....and that Chambers and Archer needed cajoling too. If Sanson isn't on next match, I think he may be done.

My interpretation is similar to what happens to Grealish at Man City and England. You want to be in the team and doing your best. However, the shape/system/tactic that the manager wants doesn't suit your game. (Or at least bring the best out of it) Ergo, you try hard to carry out the managers plan so you're not dropped....but your game suffers because of it. Then in Gerrard's case, he comes out and blasts you after the game to the media saying you're not doing what is expected and must get better to compound the I'll feeling.

The CDM we needed after all.

That CM pair looks so much better. Passes can go in and be passed off quicker, and first time. Defensive covering is done as a pack and not own person getting overrun.

If Brentford did play into our hands, credit to Danks for identifying that and putting Bailey in a formation where it could use him.

Great finish. Also, nice movement to jink the defender in the first place.

I think what this system will do is mean that it isn't as devastating for us though. Cash won't be as far forward and will hold position a bit more, menacing the gaps are smaller.

Playing Luiz on his own as a DCM is 'light'. There will be Dendonker in with him and Emi in front to give them a passing option.

I'm reading the words 'audacious' and 'acrobatic' when people are describing the goal. Don't think I've heard him referred to as either before!

Whiney word removed as well.

Get him some game time tomorrow. Even a 10-15 min spell at the end gives him the welcome back that means we can use him.