The Left Back

It's actually a more complicated question than it appears. Having watched him avidly, I still can't name it. He gets credited as being one of the highest scoring midfielders in the premier league but he's not really a midfielder. And yet he was not an out and out striker. I think it was one of the reasons he stayed (a bit like the JWP chat on the other thread today) in that whatever system we played was designed around getting the best out of him. The two exceptions to that were when he first broke through, he was definitely played as a striker, and in the Branfoot era when he didn't really fit. I remember the glorious Nicholl 4-2-4 formation with him wide right and Rod Wallace left, but with lots of fluidity when we had the ball so they both popped up all over. They both were expected to track back and help the full back. Wallace was good at this, Le Tiss a bit of a liability. In the Ball era my memory is that there was a formation for the other 10 and his job was to find space near the ball ready to receive it whenever we got it. So that was like a roving 10 I guess in a 3-4-1-2. I can't really relate him to a modern day player - perhaps Ozil but with a better shot? As I've said before, if Matt had been playing now he would be expected to be much fitter and better without the ball. In our side I guess the Stuey role is the nearest fit? Hope this helps. What is the side project and will it help me clarify this in my own mind?

They didn't seem very organised to me. Just a random bunch of totally off their face blokes (20s-30s). Once they got on the pitch they were a bit at a loss what to do. One with a back pack on did a slow-motion mazy run from Northam to Chapel, stopping occasionally to allow the tiny overweight steward chasing him to catch up. The only other one I saw was the one who was grappled to the ground in the centre circle. Escorted past the Kingsland, he was singing along (sort of) to OWTS and seemed genuinely surprised that he was receiving wanker signs and not applause. Several bumped fists with our players, who were unsure how to respond Personally, I've never been bothered about it. Obviously not the Millwall charge sort of stuff. But there's comic entertainment to be had from heckling the odd lost comic lunatic as he seeks to evade the inevitable rugby tackling steward. I think we take it way too seriously, the righteous indignation seems a step too far.

I was confused by the whole experience. 1. Was perplexed by the selection, in a state of mystification more than anger 2. I took the missus, who is West Ham. 3. I was sat in a padded seat for the first time. Great view, but the seat was longer so not enough leg room 4. We started so poorly that I feared the worst 5. We got better but I was already clock watching at 21 minutes 6. We were right behind Perraud on the perfect angle for the thunderbastard (thanks Billy for the phrase) 7. At half time when Stu and Broja came on I knew we'd win 8. For a while we were actually worse 9. We all knew they'd score from a corner, given their strengths and our weaknesses 10. I never thought VAR would overturn the penalty 11. We got better and better, they got worse and worse It was a brilliant night but I'm left wondering now how I feel about the selection. I really liked Ralph's reason, much better than the ones I had imagined. On the other hand, it's a dangerous game to play in what was a massive opportunity for us. So for next round I hope he can find the spirit of his squad-based faith but also play some more of our better players. I'll leave him to work out the finer details of what that means.

Such a brilliant idea for a thread. Of the current squad I admit to having written Fraser Forster off for a second time before his latest renaissance. From the dim and distant past I remember my cocky 17 year old self ranting at the pointlessness of re-signing Mick Channon. Somewhere in between I got massively over-excited at the prospect of those Dutch coaches we had in the late noughties (Poortvliet and Wotte)

Just my opinion but I don't think that's the point. We don't take part in Europe to make money. It's a recognition of the club's progress. It's a chance for bright European nights at home and trips to places we would never otherwise go. It's about playing against new teams with different styles. It's about the buzz. It's about growing the fan base and attracting better players. It's about giving the players we've got a growth challenge. It's about all of these things more than it's about profit and loss.

I'm going. I'm expecting Ralph to put out his strongest possible side. This may not mean an unchanged team if there are any niggles (I'd be surprised if fatigue is a factor). I'll be ok if Perraud comes in as that's a marginal call. Also Diallo for Stuey if there is some concern about his resilience. I'll be grumpy if it looks like rotation for the sake of giving squad members a run out, or prioritising Villa. I can't engage with the debate about FA Cup versus the League position. We are currently 2 wins from Wembley, 3 from a final and 4 from glory, Europe, lifetime memories etc etc. It's a no brainer. I'd like to see our league momentum keep going, and if we had a realistic chance of getting in the top 4/5 I might feel different. But as it stands we are going to have to have a cracking last 12 games to get 8th and a phenomenal run to make 7th...and hope teams above us stall. Can't wait to get down there tonight and try out a padded seat.

One of the reasons I've really taken to Ralph was exemplified in his presser today. He seems a genuine, authentic, plain-speaking decent guy. His responses about Ukraine seemed heartfelt, genuine and untouched by any spin. It's not enough on its own to create a good manager but I find his manner to be inspiring. I am sure this is one off the reasons he survived two huge defeats and a disastrous run of form.

This season there's always a pre-match build up involving a video with loud music followed by the brass band playing OWTS - all of which is great in my opinion. Then for live televised matches, particularly Sky, they shoe horn between the two some fire machines and extra song that goes on too long.

This was my thinking really. It's unlikely we'll have that level of continuity over the next 2-3 years (player moves, formation changes or injuries etc), but assuming we do then a 32/33 year old Romeu could make way for a 30 year old JWP who can be our latter day Jimmy Case.

Strongest team possible for this one please Ralph, which I guess would mean the same as the last two games unless someone has some fatigue or a niggle. The games against Everton and Norwich were so comfortable that I'd be surprised if there's any fatigue. We are in a state of flow at the moment so I'm guessing Ralph will only make changes if the medical team recommend it.

In the Norwich game its was noticeable how far apart the strikers played. I haven't noticed it in previous games but in this one they split apart quite a lot. Not only did this allow Moi and Stu more space to come inside, it was often the catalyst for triangles in the corners between Moi and KWP, with one of the strikers (mostly Broja) and, down the other side Tino, Stu and one of the strikers (mostly Adams). This might have been going on for a few games but I only really noticed it against Norwich. And there was so much fluidity in it that if JWP or Oriol joined the triangle then Stu/moi would back out and cover.

Assuming he doesn't leave I could imagine JWP replacing Romeu in a couple of seasons and Diallo replacing JWP.

I agree with all this. What's also been weird is the level of control we have had over the opposition. Apart from about 20 minutes we've completely dominated the whole of the last 180. And at United we were in total control of the game for the most part. We're not afraid of working the ball out of tight spots, everyone is happy to take a considered risk and, perhaps most importantly, everyone is on the move so that there is almost always an option or 2. I really enjoyed everything about last night apart from the same issue we've had all season - we are not clinical enough in front of goal. Let's enjoy it while it lasts; and even a couple of setbacks from here shouldn't stop the momentum we've built up.

I think Armstrong's left foot is better than Adams and Broja, both of whom look over-reliant on the right peg. On the whole I'm really happy the way it has worked out for Adams. Like several other players he is exactly what we need to suit the style and philosophy of our team.

Not sure if this is the right thread but… I went on a school trip to the dell in 75. Our coach pulled into the car park and we were met as we got off by Mel Blyth. Only he insisted he was the caretaker and not a player. It was only later during the tour that Lew Chatterly (I think) blew his cover.

Thought I would give the padded seats a go for a change of scenery and to see what all the fuss was about. Managed yesterday to get the last 3 together in the whole of block 31.

Being at the game I wasn't aware how bad the misses from Tino and Moi were. Both two yards out, both have to score. Having said that everything else about our game was wonderful. It's all been said but my view on the various discussion topics are: - Stuey man of the match, followed by Romeu then KWP. - Amazing we now have three strong fullbacks, KWP is best and should play every game. Tino and Perraud similar level, I suspect will be picked depending who the opposition are. - Broja frustrated me again by choosing the wrong option. He's a brilliant prospect but there's a difference between being ruthless and just greedy. The one where he cut in onto his left foot at the Chapel End should have been laid on a plate for Moi. and yes @Tamesaintthose FA Cup odds do look weird.

Even if it's not true? I don't know about Palace but most of the fans I know of the other teams you mention are constantly miserable, precisely because their club's PR has over promised and under delivered I'm with this. Exciting football, committed team, ability to have a go a the big boys, good atmosphere. At a club I am proud to be associated with

It's a game of opinions. mine is very different to this. It's fine for us fans to dream of the things you are describing @Dragon_manbut I don't want the CEO blowing smoke up my arse about us doing a Leicester. And I don't want him mortgaging the future of the club on a chance for success that is not sustainable (as per Risdale at Leeds). I want someone sensible who's committed to bringing exciting, challenging football to us fans and exceeding expectations competitively. Settled in the upper half of the best league in the world with the chance to occasionally have a crack at the cups and Europe And he didn't say this at all. "We’ll sell talent to the top 6 and use the money to sure up mid tableness and make some profit." That's a very eeyore interpretation.

Regardless of who was being referred to I think the point he made is that they are no longer a target because we've missed our chance. Who we have in mind for our next manager will be someone not yet in our league, further back along the pathway. He sort of told this story in the past tense as an example of the way we think. I did think that briefly while listening and then I was heartened when he talked about our ambition. I think he said our ambition is to be a top 10 side each season. When pushed he hinted that top 6 would be great but never used as a target (I paraphrase). So my reading of that is that being a top 10 side means there is a reasonable chance of Europe by one means or another every few seasons. And if we had a special side that clicked and we were pushing on toward top 6 one season that perhaps players would hang around a season longer than otherwise, and the pathway would slow slightly but be stacked with even more quality than usual. Good point I think you might be right about that.

Just listened to the interview and all the associated punditry, thanks for flagging it @kwsaint I found it an impressive and uplifting 30 minutes, which made me proud to be a saint. The player pathway, the way the club is run, the transparency over manger discussions, the ownership change, the acknowledgement of both business objectivity and fan passion. All of it was very satisfying. And I found Martin Semmens to be clear, eloquent, humble, inspiring in a way that I've not really heard a football person be before. And the fifth step of the player pathway, that we are clear we need to let them go, not to raise money but to clear the path for the next, seemed to be a jaw/mike-dropping moment for the studio. I hope there's enough flexibility in that strategy to allow a Le Tissier to stay or to allow us to sign a Steven Davis. Other than that I think it's a bold and interesting move. I'm not sure the people running Everton, Villa, Newcastle etc would get away with saying that because their fan base is far more entitled than we are, but for us it seems a brilliant strategy. PS I'm guessing Frank is the manager they had in mind. And I'm guessing we won't be signing Broja permanently. PPS Yes I'm optimistic about us right now, but have also been a supporter long enough to realise we are never far away from the wheels falling off again!

Just want to add my respects to those above. I didn't know Minsk as a person, but got a sense of him as a forum contributor. He came across as open-minded, fair, generous and a proper fan. Rest in peace Minsk.

If everyone's fit then we should definitely go with the same side next week. We are in a flow. Can't agree with the view that Armstrong needs dropping. He was excellent the last two games. Him and Moi have been been the catalyst for our more attacking play. Stu brings so much fluidity and dynamism to us when he plays. I've looked at his shots again. There's only one I think he shouldn't have taken. He was unlucky with a couple and two he should have done better. I noticed how many of our team are now shooting from distance more often. And I also noticed that Broja was too greedy a couple of times in each of the last two games. He could have laid easy chances on a plate for team mates but chose the harder, selfish option. If he can develop that his assists will match his goals and we'll do even better.

This is where I was heading. This thread had identified a massive list of reasons, all seem plausible to me. But they might all be consequences of the root causes, which to me could be something like stability, continuity, development and luck.

Ah irony. Fair enough, I don’t often follow match threads during the game so wasn’t aware of this cultural gem. Thanks for advising me and more importantly for causing Jack to Play so well. And “sweetheart”. Is that another laugh out loud trope? ps I’m far too happy with the team to calm down