Tomo

Think his last horrah at being great in big games was his first season back here and the first half of the title season. In the second half of the title season we got the results in them but the way City, Paris and even Brendan's Liverpool outplayed us was ominous, since 15/16 onwards his big game record has been awful.

I've literally just remembered Caballero was in goal for that one, so maybe that stat was meant for Kepa?

0-0 at Leicester?

If we want proper competition at left back then we have to get rid of both and sign two new players as neither do or ever will cut it playing regularly.

Today is what happens when a young upcoming modern manager faces one who hasn't adapted with the times. Lampard vs Mourinho circa 2019 is the sideline version of bringing back 41 yo Carvalho to cope with Mbappe, only one winner.

He ballsed up the ball to Willian in the second half (he passed to a marked Tam while Willian was wide open) but other than that it was a pretty complete performance in a big away match. Genuinely stunned with the critism in the match thread.

Probably the only bigger statement would be snapping up Mbappe.

I think what I'm trying to say is, if he's chosen over Emerson to be the new guys back up I won't be too upset. He'd be an ideal rotation guy if we have say Newcastle at home in-between two CL ties with Barcelona.

Lesser teams are more and more playing against us to defend, since Liverpool how much attacking has any of our opponents done at Stamford Bridge? I think the percentages make Alonso facing fodder sides worth the risk.

Even in a back four he can still be useful against the fodder who barely bother to attack, he was good against Brighton and the difference against Newcastle. However he shouldn't be playing (in a four) against top teams agreed.

Think if we win the reverse fixture Lampard will be the first ever manager to do a league double against Mourinho, Anywhere. Wouldn't that be ironic...

I can't think of many, if any, big games we've been wildly expected to be smacked up and it's actually happened. Usually when we do lose a big game badly it blindsides us unexpectedly, ala Arsenal away in 16/17.

It's great for one off circumstances like this to throw curveballs but if it's ever to become a regular thing we need specialist wing backs. I don't know how Dujon is doing at Wigan but if he furfils his potential he'd be perfect.

But this is what we do, how many times now have we gone into big games underdogs and on rubbish form to stand up and be counted?

Not going to individually call people out but some should be holding their heads in shame after the pre match comments.

Tammy had the Liverpool moment (when he should have squared to Mount) in his head then. Mason should have played Willy in though.

This is why we should go for more short corners.

If Karma exists Mount and Tammy both score today.

That doesn't really make any sense considering he was dropped for two do or die CL games aswell as City away.

I actually think this formation may work quite well today but hopefully we don't carry it into the Saints game if it does.

Journalists from traditionally unreliable newspapers can be quite reliable in certain areas. Furthermore doing extra research it looks like he broke the Kepa story.

What rank is Duncan Wright on that list we have of reliable journalists?

These conspiracy theories are making my eyes bleed.

Football doesnt work like that.

It is, but we ultimately can't get the rewards if we don't gamble. We were backed into a corner, when it looked like we were going to lose him this time last year the fanbase were incandescent and wanted him to resign no matter what, fast forward 12 months they've got their wish and now we shouldn't have done it and let him go in the first place. It reminds me of the time almost everyone wanted ruthless action taken against Lampard due to his alleged behaviour towards AVB then come Christmas that year said action was reportedly being taken in the form of the club refusing him a new deal then all of a sudden it was an outrage that we would treat a club legend like that. I do wonder if the average supporter really truly know what he/she wants and yes I include myself in that.