Didn't get to watch and glad we got the win but sounds like we didn't play well again. Limping to the finish line here but just need to finish top 4 to ensure champions league in the new stadium.
I love Dier (bought his shirt this year), but he needs to realize he could be a world class CB. I get him wanting to play MF, and he occasionally makes superb passes (see Dele @ Stamford Bridge), but we were at our best with him in the back. It also doesn’t help that Vic has been hurt this year and subsequently dipped in form.
First half was garbage. Second was much better, though still left something to be desired. Beat WBA this weekend and top 4 is pretty much clinched.
Liverpool and Chelsea still have to play each other in the league so one or both will drop points. If we win out we are guaranteed to finish ahead of Liverpool regardless. Big 3 points today, even if we weren't at our best.
Toby > Jan > Sanchez > Dier > Foyth. Assume we lose Toby and Dier still is 3rd in line. For the midfield though, healthy-Dembele > Dier > Wanyama > Sissoko? or Winks, assume that Dembele moves to China or just fades out of his prime and we need Dier there. We need to strengthen in that position, our attacking four is stacked right now.
Dembele and Sissoko are likely gone this summer, and who the hell knows what Winks will look like when he returns. CM is a huge need this summer.
The team definitely looked flat and out of sync. Kane has been off lately even with some goals. Lamela is back to driving me crazy. He does not let go of the ball and he is just showboating. I really want to see more of Lucas and none of Sissoka. He has been given enough chances. I am a bit worried that morale may be down right now and that it may signify offseason moves, although they may just need that at this point. I can see some major turnover. Obviously not all of these guys, but I feel as many as just over half is possible. Toby Victor Moussa D. Sissoko Rose Lamela Llorente Vorm Eriksen (dare I say it) Dier
A healthy Wanyama > Dier at CDM imo. And we all know you can't play those two together in our 4-2-3-1. If Dembele leaves this off season we desperately need to buy a replacement for him who can link the attack. Even if he stays we still need a future replacement as he's only getting older. Dier is just a glorified CB playing CDM and Wanyama is a destroyer that moves around more but again does not pass/posses like Dembele. Both are solid in midfield but need to be paired with someone who can better move and pass. Winks showed promise this year but we can't rely on a young guy who hasn't proven he can stay healthy. If/when we sell Toby we need a replacement at CB and if we sell Rose we need a replacement at LB. I honestly hope they stop wasting money on mediocre backup F's as Poch never plays them anyways, just use Son and Lamela as our backup F. So basically Levy better spend some fucking money this off season or we're going to be finishing outside of the top 4 and see this team get broken up. Sell: Toby (sadly), Sissoko, Llorente, Vorm, Rose (would rather not sell as his value is way down right now) Buy: CM, CB, LB (if we sell Rose), young backup GK
I love Vorm as a backup keeper. As long as he's happy with that role we should keep him. Dier can also be pretty good as a midfielder. He's got a powerful shot and is great in the press. I also think Sissoko has a place in the team. He's good to bring in when we need a big, powerful body to help kill off games. Agree about everything else. Really don't want to lose Toby or Rose.
Rumor is that Vorm may want to go somewhere he will play regularly since he's coming up on the end of his career. If he's cool with staying I'd be happy to keep him, though I'd prefer he not play in any meaningful games like say a cup semi.
3ATB formation, haven't seen that in some time. West Brom must win today to keep the hope alive, with results from Stoke and Swansea in their peripherals. Also, If we win and Chelsea draw or lose to Liverpool, we're locked into a CL spot. I think I did the math right there.
No shit. This team has lost their edge since the Man City loss. Gotta rely on some Liverpool love now.
Rose can go to United all he wants this summer. Also, what was the point in waiting until 60’ to bring Lucas on? He’s the only one that looks like he gives a shit.
Pffft. Luring Liverpool into a false sense of security with our sputtering performances. Pound newcastle and Lie-chester. Seagulls bang out a result against pool finishes 5th. Loses to Real. Then we're in some place beyond Livid.
I just want Brighton to beat Liverpool so badly come Sunday. That would be so rich. COYS, let's buckle down and take care of our business and let the other chips fall where they may.
I like this comment from reddit: "Are we going to fuck this up? I have almost gotten used to us not fucking it up after years of fucking it up that I'm almost not ready for us to fuck it up where before I just assumed we'd fuck it up and then the one time we didn't (Crouchy!) it was great." Kind of encapsulates the mindset.
I have faith, but if we give up the first goal or go into half scoreless I will not be feeling great.
Sissoko instead of Lucas or Lamela is the only choice that stands out as questionable. And I guess Toby as well on the bench, but Sanchez and Vertonghen work well. To your point broXcore, we just can't bench our best player. It just can't be done.
i do get your point, but he has seemed off form since the injury and i think it'd be good to have him come on as a sub. probably why i'm not a coach