A real tough one to take for Rafa and the lads today, with a late Dubravka error costing us in a game where we were good value for a point.
Spurs missed the odd big chance, but we generally restricted them to very few openings and defended well – with Perez and Rondon both going close at the other end (the latter hit the post!).
A frustrating result, with a late error spoiling the great defensive work we put in for 83 minutes, however it’s still been a VERY good week for us. We’ve come out of it with three more points than I anticipated and one particular signing I was not expecting to arrive – and he (Almiron) looks set to be available in our next game at Wolves.
The three centre-backs were brilliant – particularly Lascelles who has looked a different player since Lejeune came back. Longstaff put in another classy display, Perez showed a few moments of brilliance (as if he knew his place in the side is at risk after Almiron’s arrival) and Rondon was a key presence up top again, winning several flick ons and being at the heart of any attacks we strung together. In Dubravka’s defence, he was quick off his line and commanding all game prior to the mistake. Everyone makes mistakes and this has been one of VERY few we’ve seen over the last year.
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results – albeit before Burnley vs Southampton, Chelsea vs Huddersfield, Palace vs Fulham, Brighton vs Watford (3pm kick offs) and Cardiff vs Bournemouth (5.30pm):
Next up we’ll face a trip to Wolves a week on Monday, followed by two huge back-to-back home games against Huddersfield and Burnley:
- Wolves (A)
- Huddersfield (H)
- Burnley (H)
- West Ham (A)
- Everton (H)
Our tough run is now over, with us now coming through games against Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City over the past month.
Hopefully we can now kick on and make use of the favourable fixtures set to come our way – with there being plenty positives to take from today in defeat.
Keep up our good record against teams in the bottom half and we’ll be fine – especially if we can continue defending well and receive a real boost following Almiron’s arrival.
HWTL!
pen for Wolves
0.1
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t think Rafa will drop Perez for Almiron. I think it will be Atsu who makes way. And Atsu has looked OK so could be an option off the bench, as could Kenedy who Rafa was relying on but now we have alternatives. Chelsea wont want him back the form he has been in and we won’t want him either. These next 13 games are make or break for him – IF Rafa even decides to play him.
Olly, I wouldn’t say the tough run is over yet as Wolves are playing good football and that dodgy Agent has got them some good players. They look like they may get that 7th place trophy that hopefully we will be playing for next year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hells bells Olly, did you wait for the final whistle?? ?.
Agree with the assessment of the game. It’s a tough one coz I though we deserved a point from it. But it’s hard to be overly annoyed with Dubravka coz he’s generally excellent – and as you say, played well for most of today. The curse of being a keeper I guess. You can make 10 great saves and miss one and you’ve lost the game – where as a forward can miss 10 but score one and is the hero for winning the game ??♂️.
I really hope that Rafa sticks with the 3 CBs despite our new arrivals. We look so defensively solid and have a good balance of defence and attack.
Atsu out for me and I think Rondon with Perez and Almiron behind him could certainly improve our attack.
I also have to say that I like the partnership for Hayden and Longstaff. Longstaff has been brilliant, but I think Hayden has been very good as well in fairness to him. They were very disciplined today, couldn’t get forward as much as they could against City, but still done very well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bloody England cricket team have lost again as well. A 100 run lead is enough on this pitch. Shows you what complacency gets you Geoffrey Boycott. You better watch out as well Jurgen because it doesn’t take much to slip up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hudders losing
kimtoon(Quote)
Higuaín. Need to at least get Huddersfield detached so we only have 2 places to worry about. Big day for Fulham, Burnley and Cardiff.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Southampton as well. Thems the 4 teams the last 2 relegation places will be between, assuming we are safe (not counting chickens though)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Longstaff my motm, looks composed and like he’s played for 1st team all season.
kimtoon(Quote)
I still don’t think Southampton have a very good team. Hassenhutl is playing a few kids which is risky.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Southampton lineup. Are you scared of this? And an injury to injury-prone Ings away from relegation:
McCarthy, Bendenek, Stephens, Vestegard, Ward-Prowse, Slattery. Romeu, Targett, Armstrong, Redmond, Ings.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is this the 1st point Dubravka has cost us? I remember the odd missed punch and he spilled that one against Man U. What he doesn’t do is hoof the ball into touch gifting the ball back, like all of our other goalies. I think we have to stick with him unless he makes a habit of it.
Elliot flaps.
Darlow flaps and is nervous.
Woodman is not ready, not even as backup. Hopefully he will develop.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – he’s been my MOTM for the last 4 games. The lad just looks natural in there and even has Hayden playing well.
I really hope his success opens the door to Rafa giving Sterry and Roberts more of a chance next season. They may not be as successful, but we will never know keep sending them out on loan and they looked alright when they have played so far (though I appreciate it’s been 1 or 2 games).
I would also say that I though Lascelles had a very good game today as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bloody Southampton. I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly – I think your 5 for Dubravka is a bit harsh mate. Other than that mistake (which I appreciate was very costly) I thought he was very good today. Take the mistake out of it and I think he was on an 8. The mistake cost us 1 point but you’ve docked him 3!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I’m a big fan of Redmond. But you’re right, it isn’t a team to fear – but then I think that when I look at Brighton, and Burnley as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Burnley, Southamton and Huddersfield are all Championship. Some say we are as well but we have better defenders. We now have 2 gamechangers in Shelvey and Almiron so I hope we will be OK.
Not getting ahead of myself though because today we were ultra-defensive again and it is only a week since that Watford FA Cup debacle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Think our game v Wolves will be very tough you know. They know how to score alright.
Saints drawing now
kimtoon(Quote)
Dubravka is a good keeper, he has made the same mistake twice this season , it’s easily rectified though. Just practice that particular shot stop over and over again until it’s no longer a problem.
kimtoon(Quote)
Huds and Fulham losing is a help, Brighton and saints both drawing at mo
kimtoon(Quote)
The annoying thing is that, as we thought, Spurs WERE there for the taking. They had little cutting edge.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think from 14th in the PL to 4th or 5th in the Championship there isn’t much in it really – in terms of players.
The big thing for us is Rafa and our defence. That’s not taking anything away from Rondon coz I think he’s been excellent – but he won’t score as many as Mitrovic – I know he performs a different role for Rafa though.
We are coming into a run of games that could see us pick up points – Wolves will be a tough game and I don’t expect much, but beyond that one I think there’s points to be had.
I expect us to finish 13-15th this season which would be a good finish all things considered.
But we need Rafa to stay on and he needs to be backed in the summer!. We need goals and we need creativity. If we say Rondon will be swapped for Gayle – we keep Rondon. But Muto hasn’t proved anything yet and Joselu has proved his not good enough – so maybe at least 2 forwards needed.
Perez and Almirón are good to have – but Kenedy hasn’t showen enough and would be a big risk imo. Murphy and Atsu aren’t good enough and apparently Ritchie wants away – so maybe at least 2 wingers/outside forwards needed there too.
Those players are the most expensive ones to get in and Rafa may need as much as £80m to spend in the summer to get us to a top 10 club who could have the depth for a decent cup run too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What about Everton too ?
What they would give for fat Sam and Rooney now ?
They got the manager they wanted and spent a fortune on players again … and they’ve went backwards!!!
It must be seen now that Silva is just a polished turd, and that spending a fortune offers no guarantees.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cardiff has gone 1 up 👿
Bobby reid ex bristol city player 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
bonkers league
Bournemouth beat Chelsea 4.0 on tuesday now they’re behind to Cardiff
kimtoon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1091682779945930752
before the game falling ice
kimtoon(Quote)
Have Leeds won since they had to stop cheating?
Stuart79(Quote)
Roberts was a late sub for Colchester but won a penalty. Unfortunately the penalty not taken by Roberts was missed.
Groucho(Quote)
Bloody hell man B’mth!! But Cardiff are playing well and deserve to be ahead like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s a fucking good job we beat City with the Cardiff score today…
Stuart79(Quote)
I still think a point per game will be enough and we are close to that.
Why do some papers/websites call Warnock COLIN? Do they think he looks like a Colin. Maybe an anorak?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cardiff fans absolutely superb here – singing their hearts out for Sala.
Club record signing who never even worn the shirt – what a sad story but their team have played very well today.
B’mth on the other hand have been poor – I don’t know how much they give Lpool for Ibe and Solanke – around £40m I think … mugs!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am really not trying to be a cynic but I have to ask: why do the Cardiff fans have a big banner with a big picture of Emiliano Sala and “Forever in our Hearts” on it? He was their player and it is really sad what happened but he never kicked a ball for them. Is it too much sentimentality?
I don’t know. I have worn a poppy and never knew anybody who died in the wars. Is that the same? I never knew the lads who died on that flight to New Zealand either but would have clapped on 17 minutes.
There’s actually quite a few around the ground. A Sala Argentina flag and a lot of Argentina shirts.
Does Sala have enough connection tp Cardiff or are some people looking for attention? That’s the cynic in me.
I honestly don’t know the answer but I have brought this up before how there just seems to be so many more tributes now.
Do you become numb. Immune to them when they are before, during and after every game? Do they become less meaningful when more peripheral club figures are honoured?
I hope I haven’t upset anyone and I am not trying to be disrespectful to Sala. It is something I have been wondering for a while.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Warnock in tears walking off the pitch there, he said he’s contemplating retiring after all this – it must be emotionally draining for him like.
I’m torn coz of course I want the to loose which helps us out – but today’s result was more than football for them today – so I’m pleased for them too. But that’s it now – they can stay below us now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
NEIL WARNOCK
COLIN WAN**R
Might have something to do with it
PremAndUp(Quote)
Eric – It’s not the same as remembering those who died in the wars imo mate. What those young men give for there Country is worlds apart mate, and for me it’s not just about those who died – it’s those who survived and brought those memories and horrific experiences home with them – the intense fighting, the prisoner of war camping, the young RAF lads who knew the odds of returning from their mission were so slim, yet they boarded those planes anyway – they were true heroes who should never be forgotten mate.
I understand your question regarding Sala and don’t think you are wrong to ask. I can only answer for me mate, but I think good on them. He was their record signing at £18m but what price do you put on a life?!. I don’t think it was an attention thing – too many fans singing with such passion for as long and as loud as they were in that game for it to be attention.
I think the fact the lad is still missing makes it more sentimental – tragic really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy mate. I think I have become a bit cynical. It comes from people like Piers Morgan who are so obviously out for the attention. I had the same feeling about Jimmy Savile and his charity stuff – never knew if it was to keep his name out there or if he really cared. And now you have pages and pages in the papers about big brother and the like. It is hard to not think that sometimes people are out for themselves and seeking attention by using a situation.
I don’t like myself for thinking this way but everybody wants their15 minutes of fame, even the ones on Jeremy Kyle who are ridiculed and abused.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well, that’s that. Should put paid to any complacency for the World Cup and the Ashes 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – for what’s its worth I completely agree with you. I hate reality tv shows and this breed of people who would literally do anything for 5 mins of fame.
I went through a faze of being cynical over Hillsborough, coz I kind of thought, would it get this much exposure if it wasn’t Liverpool. But when I looked more into it, actually it was irrelevant who the club was – there was a massive injustice which just happened to be attached to Lpool – and actually, maybe if it was a lesser club, the wrong may never have been put right.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think you should ever feel bad for questioning things. There are too many people jump on bandwagons – sheep who don’t really know what it is they are backing but god forbid they have they research and have their own opinion when they can follow the crowd.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Premier League Season Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Points
2017-2018 25 6 6 13 23 35 -12 24
2018-2019 25 6 6 13 21 33 -12 24
kimtoon(Quote)
I have no idea if Almiron had a song in Atlanta but it’s going to be the Toni Basil Hey Mickey song isn’t it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
For the heart to rule the head keeps us human.
Groucho(Quote)
you would think so Eric or maybe something to the song Da doo ron ron
We saw him in a toon shirt and our hearts stood still
Da doo ron ron ron, he’s Al mir ron
He’s lightning fast and the boys got skill
Da doo ron ron ron He’s Al mir ron
Oh, our hearts stood still, and the boys got skill
Da doo ron ron ron , he’s Al mir ron
kimtoon(Quote)
Mark Douglas Retweeted
Ben Spratt
@bensprattjourn
13h13 hours ago
More
How about that engine on Sean Longstaff?
He has played all but 10 minutes of seven games in the space of 29 days, covering more ground than any player on either team in each of his first four PL starts.
Kid’s a star.
And he’s ours 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I didn’t know his uncle was Alan Thompson.
I get the feeling with Longstaff, Roberts and Sterry that they just love football. They aren’t doing this to bang a glamour model or go to all the parties – they just seem to love football. I could be wrong, they’re still young lads but hopefully Rafa moving Aaron’s on is him saying the fighting in the streets and falling out of nightclubs wont be tolerated.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree, strong possibility. Rafa loves professionalism and intelligent players, not thugs .
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy , did you like my Almiron song ? 😆
or should i get me coat ?
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s the coat Kim.
People need to remember that all keepers make the odd mistake (apart from De Gea apparently). It’s part of the job. Allison, Ederson and Loris have all done it this season. Keep your head up Martin!
Having said that it did cost us a point and Cardiff winning took the edge off a very good week for us.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
There is no bigger incentive for a local lad than to play for the toon. But you can tell Kenedy is not a local lad.
Groucho(Quote)
De Gea let one in like Dubravka’s at the World Cup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This Manure side look a completely different team than under Jose…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Hey Miggy you’re so fine,
You’re so fine, you blow my mind
Hey miggy, hey miggy… ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
DT: Pogba and Rashford look totally different players. Pogba was OK at Juve but had that defense behind him and still only produced about 1 in 4 games. He was still a kid then and now looks like he deserves his 100 million followers on Instagram 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seriously, Pogba has 100 million followers on Instagram. I never understood why.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Then again, I don’t understand why Rio Ferdinand has his own clothing line. So does Jesse Lingard.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pep doesn’t have his own clothing line but I did see an article once in a tabloid that says he likes Stone Island. One of his normal sweaters, a basic grey crewneck cost 500 quid.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pep always looks smart
kimtoon(Quote)
We have 9 days before Wolves and will probably have the whole midfield fit again, although not match fit. It will probably be like Spurs where we face a lot of pressure so what do we do?
The obvious change is Almiron for Atsu and to keep 3 centre halfs.
I watched Hayden yesterday and he did OK. Is that enough given the fact that he wants away? Probably, since Diame and Shelvey have been out a while and Ki has an injury that can reoccur if brought back too soon.
Does Longstaff keep his place? I think we see how it goes but be ready on 60 minutes. That is not like Rafa but we have to get the experienced players some time on the pitch.
Shelvey could thrive with 3 willing runners in Rondon, Perez and Almiron and not having many defensive duties with the 3 centre halfs. He really is a pretty **** defender so we need to free him up to get the best out of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I also have my own clothing line, it’s nothing special. One end is tied to a hook in the wall and the other is tied to my carport post… ???
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Pep has that ugly grey cardi-hoody, or is it a hoody-card on today.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Aguero scores another hattrick. I remember when Pep first joined City and he was trying to stamp his authority on the team and get Aguero to play to his system. Neil Ashton at The Sun said they should sell Aguero and buy another striker. WHO? This is why I ridicule journos so much because they would rather write the headline and are never held accountable for what they said last week. Ashton and that idiot that follows Man U (The Fatman as Van Gaal called him) are the worst, but Ryder said the Almiron deal was off last week 2 hours before he was getting on a plane to Newcastle. That has never been mentioned again.
The ex-players, if anything, are even worse. Keown said Rooney was world class the week before Southgate dropped him. Collymore never says anything sensible and now Rio is getting in on the act.
I could go on but everybody probably already knows it is a pet peeve of mine that the journos spout shyte and are never called on it. There seems to be a little club where it is forbidden to question whatever anybody writes.
For all its faults, Talksport seems the only place where journos and pundits are bought to task for their stupid comments.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Of the players out injured at the mo, who would get back into the team and who would be dropped?.
I know he’s not injured but Almiron for Atsu for me.
Hayden is playing ok at the moment alongside Longstaff. But I think I’d replace him – but for who? – Shelvey, Diame or Ki?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jonjo’s still not ready. I’m not sure who to play with Longstaff. He has to be in! Is Ki a stronger element in the mid than Hayden? Diame can be but he’s been out a long time. I’d leave them on the bench along with Ritchie and play Barreca and Almiron.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – I think Ki as well mate. I think his style suits Longstaff better. Shelvey can pass the ball, but his workrate and defensive play isn’t great – and Diame is probably the flip of that.
I think Schar and Lejeune are showing that actually they have a good passing ability too and in that back 3 they get the time on the ball to show it too.
I think our defence and midfield options allow us to either play 3 at the back or 3 in midfield.
If we can secure PL survival, I think the next transfer window we are fine for central defence and midfield – we need wingbacks, wingers and centre forwards.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nuno Espirito Sanchez and Wolves are getting a lot of praise and rightly so. They gave a lackluster Everton a tonking and look odds on to take that 7th place trophy. But… that means they are due for a reality check and who better to give them one than NUFC. I am sure we will be big underdogs again, but I think we have a decent chance against them.
They asked the question on the PL show over here if Wolves were the best team ever to be promoted to the PL. Robbie Mustoe, ex-Boro, said yes. Maybe on paper, but didn’t Keegan’s team finish 3rd?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They did indeed Eric and that’s a watermark that’ll probably never be beaten given the money swishing around the top 4 now. What exciting times they were.
georgio(Quote)
Looking at Olly’s article on Keys. He is starting to rival Merse in the race to see who can have the biggest balloon heed. His lips and teeth seem to have disappeared as well (Gray is not far behind in the balloon heed stakes either).
Wrighty was on the World Cup shows over here and he was really good fun. Brightened up every broadcast he was on. They shoehorned some ex-England female player on and she was useless. She wasn’t even pretty, which seems to be the criteria Sky/Fox use. Like Stuart, I don’t think I am misogynist, I think it is worse when they have someone on as the token female who is there to look good or to make the executives feel they have done a good thing and filled their quota. This woman stumbled on her words and never brought up a single salient point in 6 weeks.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart, mate. Your asking if you could be critical of certain women without being thought of as misogynist struck a bit of a chord. There is too much PC but some of that happened because of the insensitivity of certain men. Now we are all paying for it, not knowing what we can and cannot say without offending certain people. Same with LBGT stuff. Can I say I don’t like Christopher Biggins without being called a homophobe?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am probably “fat-shaming” Keys and Gray as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://twitter.com/GallowgateShots/status/1092130562305916929
😆
kimtoon(Quote)
I see they found that missing plane then. A body reportedly seen in the plane too.
kimtoon(Quote)
very sad.but family will be pleased if you know what i mean 😥
icedog(Quote)
Yeah mate, questions answered and all that. Wonder which body is in the plane and if they can find the other one. Would help families if they could bury their loved ones i’m sure.
That was no mean feat to find such a small plane like that, well done to the search teams, 67 meters below on the sea bed ! never stood a chance did they, poor souls . 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
We had Martin Tyler commentating on L’pool – Wham. Can he not just shut the fck up now and again. He has to describe every minute detail and tell you every fact he has written down on his clip-board now.
I think since he hit 70 he feels he needs to make up for every word he didn’t say in all of the earlier years and now over-describes everything.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool showed last night what a difference just a couple of injuries can make. Let’s hope it doesn’t hit us the same. We’ve had injuries but not to key positions. Imagine if Rondon seriously pulled his hamstring and Almiron had his leg broke like HBA.
Nowt like a bit of doom and gloom scenario eh?
georgio(Quote)