Shroppie

So sorry. Fell into that one. 🤣 But rather smug that I beat MLG by 6 minutes.

It's been discussed many times. Changed a few seasons back. In the box, if it's deemed a genuine attempt to get the ball, it's the penalty plus yellow to avoid "double jeopardy". Only a red in the box if it's deemed cynical with no attempt to get the ball. (as was Bednarek, but overturned). Outside the box, both cases are red if it denies a goal-scoring opportunity.

Lallana has scored. When did that last happen?

This. Absolutely. They're using technology way beyond its margins of error.

To change the subject, how ridiculous and manipulated was that VAR offside against Chelsea?

Yes I do. But that will mean we have at least 36 or 37 points. Which, as a maths graduate, I recognise is more than 35, which was the number I predict may be insufficient.

Sorry to intervene in a private row, but the reason is simple. Although they're struggling to win games, Fulham are playing well. They will win 3/4 games and draw a few. More than 35 points. Newcastle and Brighton may actually struggle more but to get to 36 they need 10 points from 11 games, which, in my opinion, they probably will.

I doubt 35 will be enough fo stay up.

I do. I'd rather be 7 pts ahead than 4. Simples.

Strong team. I'm a big Spurs fan tonight.

I'm firmly in the Bednarek ahead of Salisu camp. Armstrong, Djenepo and possibly others won't play Saturday and Tuesday. I'm guessing Ralph will prioritise the first game as theoretically more winnable. I'd like to hope he'll rest Redmond, but he won't.

Accepted that's goodish news, but I'd rather they'd also been demoralised by a couple of late Villa goals.

The way things are going I think it's a nailed-on Fulham win tomorrow

I was there and remember it well. Looking for positives from their result tonight at least we shouldn't be at risk of complacency having seen that and they'll be without Jagielka.

They have now. That didn't go according to plan

Villa look very slow and out of ideas

Think they may appeal. Looked harsh - all about whether there was a covering player

Yes, unless overturned. Looked harsh

Sheffield Utd leading

Bednarek is a very good CB who is struggling to do a job as a FB/wingback, which isn't really in his DNA. He doesn't need a "kick up the backside": he needs to play CB with Vestergaard. I'd rather see Djenepo or Stephens as emergency RB. Armstrong wasn't a revelation, except in the way he adapted to playing DM whilst still putting in runs and getting forward. He has been one of our best players. Vestergaard is getting back to his best after his layoff. JWP was excellent, retaining and recycling possession. Salisu will be good, but he's not challenging Bednarek and Vest as first choices. Ings and Adams weren't really at the races. You can complain that they weren't getting the ball in the right place early enough, bit I didn't see a lot of movement to open up space for the pass.

That's rather simplistic and ignores the fact that most of the team who were doing so well in the Autumn played last night. For me, there were encouraging signs once Salisu went off. Bednarek and Vestergaard are comfortable together and understand each other. Djenepo is a decent wing back. Armstrong can play the 6 role. We created two good chances in the final minutes and should have taken at least a point. Tella is currently an upgrade on Redmond.

This is now a major part of the problem. WGS always said you have to be brave on the ball to win matches and that's true. When we were doing well in the Autumn we weren't afraid to take risks, which often led to chances, because there was confidence that if we lost the ball, we'd work hard to win it back and could defend. Now we're afraid of the consequences of losing the ball and we've become too risk-averse and therefore predictable and less dangerous. The loss of confidence can be put down to the injuries and constantly changing team. The settled team knew each other, trusted each other and their reactions and plays were almost automatic. With Ings out, and then Redmond, followed by Armstrong, Djenepo and Walcott at different times, the elements of the press lost their automation. Losing Vestergaard broke a solid understanding at CB and made us more vulnerable and at the same time, with Romeu and/or Diallo out the ability to win the ball back and stem opposition attacks in midfield vanished. It became too easy for teams to find attacking passes. Then finally losing KWP we've an attacking threat, an out ball and pace in defensive covering have all been missed. Since Danny's been back you can see his frustration: things just aren't working and he's not getting the service which arises from quick, incisive and imaginative passes. It'll be contentious, but although Salisu will eventually be a good player for us, at the moment he is nowhere near justifying breaking up the Bednarek/Vest partnership. I thought we improved significantly when he went off. You can't underestimate the importance of understanding in a settled defence. And I feel sorry for McCarthy. Playing behind a constantly changing defence has affected his confidence but for me he should still be first choice. FF doesn't relieve pressure as he's permanently rooted to his line. His kicking was ok last night and he made a couple of timely dashes out to collect through balls, but I don't think he covered himself in glory for the goal: he was easily dumped on the floor and rounded from an acute angle. So, we obviously need KWP and Diallo back (although Armstrong was brilliant in that position). Then, for me, preferably McCarthy back but definitely no Salisu. His time will come, but not now I think Ings and Tella could work together. Redmond is a liability at the moment so my AMs are Armstrong plus Djenepo/Minamino.

Mccarthy KWP/Djenepo Vestergaard Bednarek Bertrand Diallo/Armstrong JWP Two from Armstrong/Djenepo/Tella/Minamino Ings +1 from above. All depends on Diallo, KWP and Djenepo.

We were certainly better once Djenepo moved to RB and we got Tella on. There were good chances to get a point - Djenepo and Vestergaard. But now Djenepo looks injured again, so back to square one.

They usually know nothing