OTF

Fucking hell, that was calamitous

Well done Pope, doing what he does best.

He's not been at his best, but that's not exactly a new development in his game unfortunately.

Semedo IMO lucky to have not got a yellow from his earlier foul on Isak (that was not called). Well played Murphy.

Don't think it's ever been fitness, more of a muscular issue.

Exactly, Howe has said many times that Isak hasn't been fit enough to start. Have to trust the medical staff on that front, as frustrating as it is when he has always impressed in his cameos. Pope has not been the same since his clanger against Liverpool.

Isak fucking loving it out there. ❤️

In retrospect Pope was very lucky, being at home and it being a less fancied opponent helped him. He made the decision to try to block the player instead of go to the ball, the Jiminez oversold it as well which further helped the decision to go our way. All cancelled out by a clear handball the other way at any length.

We've had a lot more balance in our attack with ASM wanting the ball down the left everything is no longer being syphoned constantly and predictably towards Trippier.

In Bruno's defense they've tried to mark him out of the game opening up space for others. Willock has been good as has Murphy, and Isak has been silky and timing his runs to perfection. Only really Longstaff who has looked clunky at times in midfield.

Wolves against the ropes, would be great to land one on their chin.

He's got that effortless speed, combined with an icy coolness under pressure.

That's a cracking header, especially for someone not renowned as being good in the air. Nice ball from Trippier of course as well.

Fuck yes Isak you legend!!!

We're missing Joelinton's energy and physicality through the middle, especially in the transition from defense to attack.

Good application of VAR.

Good tackle BDB

Murphy looking sharp.

Match of the Day Relegated to BBC2: Bruce: "the viewers showed me a lack of respect"

Pub League. Paedo Lovers they're in a League of their own.

He wants space to take on defenders and when they know what we're going to do they can take that space away. With Bruno he gets more varied service, he's missed having him. As you say his biggest limitation is how one footed he is, which he's never going to overcome, no doubt got away with it when be was younger due to his speed.

You're right that he might benefit from a rest, and possibly coming on as a substitute with fresh legs, I'm just worried who we would replace him with and what their defensive effort would be like compared to Miggy's. Who would you play in his stead?

Almiron is copping a fair bit of flack here, but for mine he's a victim of our attack too often coming down the right through Trippier and him. If we had more balance down the left with an overlapping fullback we'd be less predictable and harder to set up defensively against. I can't see Howe dropping him either. Wilson is another story altogether, if he finishes that chance against City it's a different story but that confirms just how far he is from his best and so he must be rested because without the ability to finish he offers us nothing.