ThatGinolaVolley

Three games in six days coming up. Would like to see a bit of Hall & Livramento in the league games, rather than them just getting thrown in against Man City in the cup.

A draw away against any of the teams in this group is a good result. Too many players had an off day today, but a point is a point. Milan are going to be dangerous in the return game though, their whole team is set up to counterattack.

Best thing about the win against Brentford was that I can now relax and enjoy all the build up for this game. I know nothing about this AC Milan team. Assume they are decent based on last year’s Champions League. Although the BBC had a stat that the outfield player with the most minutes in last year’s competition was Tonali. Which makes me a bit more confident!

What a load of shite. Howe now has 2 weeks to get some confidence and intensity back into the side, and grow balls big enough to drop Bruno.

No Botman 🙁. Targett in.

It’s been so long since I cared much about the champions league, I assumed all the games would be 7:45 kick offs uk time. Next you’ll be telling me it isn’t on ITV with Des Lynam hosting, and it doesn’t clash with the X-Files

Should be one of the hardest games of the season. Would be nice to keep a clean sheet for once and nick a winner. If Botman is out I think Targett will start and Burn will move into the centre. I also think Wilson might get his first start of the season, with Isak on the bench. If Botman is fit I'd be tempted to make another change or two. Maybe start with Longstaff - there were times last season when Bruno seemed to play better with Longstaff in the side. Or maybe try someone other than Miggy on the right - Livramento seemed to end up there at the end of the Man City game, so maybe that's a possibility. Or move Gordon across and bring in Barnes.

Oof, that’s a tough looking group

Joe Cole hasn’t concentrated this hard in his whole life

Urgh, this coverage is going to drag on isn’t it… started with a piano/ jazz sax number, that’s a bad sign…

Looks like the draw is live on YouTube. I’ll be getting my BT/TNT subscription in time for the first round of fixtures…

That’s some weird ranking system that puts Real Madrid in pot 2. Based on the league cup draw, we’re guaranteed to get them, Bayern/PSG, and AC Milan. Would love to get Barcelona, purely to relive that Asprilla hatrick!

When we do finally beat these I’ll be so happy. Hopefully at anfield later this season, in a shit game, with a soft penalty.

FFS. Fucking liverpool. Nunez as well, he can’t hit a barn door except against us. Howe is too predictable, everyone knows what the starting lineup is going to be, and knows gordon will come off for barnes and isak will come off for wilson, no matter what the state of the game. Still the best manager since Robson, but don’t feel like giving him the benefit of the doubt atm! Need a solution for that right hand side when almiron is off form, not sure if it’s murphy but it needs to be something.

I think Livramento said being able to learn from Trippier was a big factor, Hall probably thinks the same. If you’re a young fullback who wants to improve your game, this is the place to be.

He looked lethal on the counterattack on that left hand side. Crossed one for Wilson to score; crossed one for Wilson to miss; and cut inside and scored one himself. He’s going to help us kill off a few games this season, can’t wait to see it!

It’s a gamble, given his injury. But I guess it’s one we can afford to take considering we only need him initially as backup to Trippier.

Those 2 games against Man U and Spurs were the most impressive of the whole campaign. All that pressure of playing against top 4 rivals near the business end of the season, and yet to look so confident, and dominate the games - I can’t think of anything like it in the last 20 years.

At least Miggy will make them feel at home.

Can he cross with his left foot? If not, poor choice for LB imo. Trippier is a world class RB. He’s played LB for England a few times, and looked shit - constantly getting in great positions on the overlap, but then has to check back on his right foot and the moment is gone.

Livramento was out all last season with an ACL injury. Another reason he might be cheap - but would be a gamble.

I also didn’t expect us to be looking for a RB. But I guess 2 important things have changed since Ashby was signed: Southampton got relegated, and we qualified for the CL. So Livramento might be cheaper, and more games means we’re more likely to need a quality backup to Trippier, for rotation/injury. So I can see the logic.

If ASM leaves (and I think he will if a bid of £30m+ comes in), it will feel a bit like the Shelvey transfer in Jan. He’ll leave on good terms in a deal which suits all parties. ASM is never going to be first choice in the intense press & counter system that’s got us into the champions league, and we’re blessed with plenty of others who can play that position. The extra FPP headroom can then be used to add depth where we really need it (midfield/fullbacks/right wing). Meanwhile, ASM gets to terrorise defenses on the continent somewhere where the fitness requirements won’t be quite as intense, and he’ll probably have a longer career with fewer injuries as a result.

I expect Howe to make quite a few changes for this one. Not only to give some a well earned rest and others a last hurrah - but also to remind the owners where the squad is lacking a bit of quality.

Brilliant from Pope at the end there, he'd had the square root of fuck all to do all game then does his job when it mattered. A pity couldn't get the win, more than deserved it, but a season in the Champions League will get me over that 🙂 Now I'm off to Google how the seeding works for the group stage...