LAM09

We haven't score a goal in the first half for two months and now find ourselves two behind. City actually got their finger out yesterday against much better opposition. What will this bunch do?

CB pairing asleep. The moment Jackson missed a sitter, I just knew it was going to be one of those days.

Chalobah starting ahead of Gusto & James. Seems like an odd decision.

Teams on our tail have won (Newcastle will probably go all out with the recent Howe situation) while the teams ahead have dropped points. With Thursday's fixture almost a forgone conclusion, we need to field our strongest XI from the start, none of this nonsense of resting players for nothing. You can just sense Delap will do something, tho. Our fixture against Forest on the final day of the season could well be a decider as previously mentioned. We had it in our own hands prior to the CL final but choked. This time, there won't be a backup plan, and with the extra spot certain, finishing outside of the Top 5 would be embarrassing.

It's unfortunate that it was introduced towards the end of the season instead of the beginning, as planned.

I was going to comment on it before seeing who was reporting the rumour.

The moment Mateta came off (providing it was a tactical decision), they through in the towel. A seven goal swing against anyone is crazy.

And go into the CWC without a manager? Unless we get humiliated between now & June, he'll be in charge until our season officially ends. I agree. I just feel Fiorentina will have the bit between their teeth after the last two years.

Matic's comments must be cutting deep for Onana. Another two mistakes.

That's the worry. Kean has been fine form for Fiorentina, and it would be their third successive final. Over one game, I can't see our players being able to raise their game or Maresca for that matter.

You could easily put Haaland into that category. However, I'm sure you'd consider him despite that.

8 away games in the league without a win and Brentford with their first home cleansheet. 2 points dropped

I get where you're coming from. I just think playing your best players and getting the job done is the smarter move instead of bringing them on in a scenario where we might be chasing the game. Players are far more likely to get injured if they are trying to exert themselves to get on the end of passes, shots, etc. We just don't have the depth (quality wise) to change half of our squad.

Everyone is available, tho. Right now, is it really a risk worth taking?

It's crazy he's making this number of changes after the prolonged break most of our squad have had. Enzo & Caicedo are the only ones who should have been considered for rotation considering the workload on INT duty.

I know. I'm saying they persevered because of the reason I mentioned. He did play 29 league games for Southampton (only out injured early on for a stretch of 8 games), so there wasn't much indication of his woes. At the end of the day, we should have been cautious no matter given his age.

Villa definitely aren't out of it. One point behind us & level with City as things currently stand having played a game more. Their CL quarterfinal might be the only thing which works against them, though.

It's like they didn't want to accept defeat after Southampton rejected our initial approach weeks after they signed him. There's no reasonable explanation behind most of the awful moves we've made since the new ownership arrived.

We've gone after keepers that are quite young or lack serious experience (Kepa, Petrovic, Jorgensen, etc). It's just one position that you rarely see players in their teens thrive in. Donnarumma is the only one that comes to mind in recent years. If Thibo had come straight from Genk into our team, he probably would have never been given a chance.

You could add Nkunku & most likely Lavia to that list as well. Around £200m down the drain.

There are many things that shouldn't have happened this season but did. Any fear that teams once had coming to the Bridge is long gone as well. We SHOULD be beating all four; it doesn't mean it will happen. Whose fault is that? If you can't take your chances, which we have been guilty of most of the season, you only have yourself to blame. FYI, Delap has another goal to his name. He'll have the perfect chance to audition in a few weeks.

I don't see a certain three points amongst that bunch, tbh. Ipswich have already beaten us and after their surprise win away to Bournemouth, they'll have added motivation.

A scruffy win is still a win. Pleased we didn't slip up with the majority of our rivals winning this week. A cleansheet to go with it as well.

The most basic decisions are like rocket science to the morons officiating.

That's a bookable offence if anything. When can we get automated refs for the EPL?