OTF

He's capable of good, even very good games but this game was definitely not one of them. For me he tends to be a weakness more often than a strength in particular when he sits high in the box for very little return (needs too much time to shoot or pass) and blatantly doesn't have the speed to get back when there is a counter attack. Miley didn't have a great game either, but was still better than Longstaff. Take into account his age (18 v. 27) and the fact that he's not had consistent game time since he recovered from injury and that tells you everything you need to know. Also @Holden McGroin saying that Longstaff "set up the decisive goal." is hilarious. Longstaff's attempted pass/shot was blocked and Willock seized on it to score. You could say that Willock both set that goal up and scored it, so heavy was his involvement. If Longstaff's ball wasn't blocked it would have been picked up by one of the two defenders in front of Osula or the goal keeper. That said Longstaff did play a lovely through ball for Livramento where Livramento'a pass eventually resulted in Wilson's goal so he did have a key meaningful contribution there.

I'm glad he was off before they started throwing their bodies about recklessly.

Regardless of the levels of your fucks given, the only way to win this is to beat Liverpool.

It's obviously not a better draw, but if we win it's a better win.

Whatever happens we can be sure that there will be a good half hour in the studio followed by 90+ minutes of commentators trying to determine the greater great; Liverpool F.C. or Mohamed Salah.

That will be a hugely interesting match, I don't think we'll see any tactical messing about from either side (unless Liverpool have already locked up the league at that point) in that we'll both be putting our best foot forward in both this and the final a few weeks later.

I really don't like Liverpool, intensely so, but I have to admit from what I have seen of Slot he is likeable, bit of a Dutch Eddie Howe in terms of temperament, technical knowledge and application. Level headed, listens to and responds to question with accuracy. Howe is obviously much better looking. It could just be that I'm on a high from the Arsenal game but what an occassion it would be to beat a high flying Liverpool. A final for the ages. There should be an incredible atmosphere in the stadium (mostly thanks to us) and our players will be ready for it this time. Just need to ensure we don't suffer any significant injuries.

If you were a know nought outsider looking on it may seem that way simply because the spending on players has eased up dramatically. Of course as you've noted it only needs a modicum of knowledge to know that we were starting with a grossly underpowered squad that needed a massive overhaul and now that we have a much stronger roster we're heavily limited by PSR.

No. Do you?

How to assess Paul Mitchell, a handy flow chart. July-August 24 || || || Too soon to assess. Ignore what he said. || || || ⬇ January 25 || || || Too soon to assess. No need to ignore what he said, because he didn't say anything. || || ⬇ June-August 25 || ???

I agree 100% but the correct term is squirting.

Howe playing this as though it's an individual match rather than the second leg, which is not surprising and is the right thing to do as long as the players can do it without any sort of complacency.

He's the Geordie Rodri. No pressure or anything.

You're probably right because both Joelinton and Willock like to attack towards the left. However it really depends on Eddie's strategy for the match which will take into account our current position. Willock has more attacking instinct but Miley is a protector of the ball and brings more of a physical presence.

That seems to be the gamble here, which will be wonderful if we get Europe but if we don't it will mean a regression of results and of our squad or in other words no progress at all and we become a less appealing target for the calibre of player required to meaningfully improve the squad. Based on the inconsistency of our performances It's difficult to have any confidence that we will be in Europe next season. And if we are and it's the lesser European competition then financially is there enough of a boost to bring in players to kick us on and give us the squad depth required for extra matches?

What do you mean hasn't?

I don't think we'll be forced to sell if we miss champions league. Some players may want to leave but we'll not be in the position where we want to or need to sell them. This is part of why we're selling players this window IMO. The other part is so that if we do get CL then we'll be best positioned to bolster and improve the squad for the additional games.

Agree, Botman is the future, unless he's had some muscle issues since returning I'd be starting him against Arsenal with Burn, and with Burn told not to push up the pitch.

Both Schär and Burn this season seem to push much higher up the pitch regularly. But yes I'd agree Botman in for Schär.

The MURPH

It's Saturday arvo in the AU. Perfect time to continue with the bogan juice.

Not yet they can't