Barnes in this game really makes no sense. I actually was going to post the same about Hall Yesterday. I'm interested to see the midfield 3 because Tonali and Guimareas have played quite a bit... I would expect we'll at least finish the game without them. I'd like to see Livramento Botman Thiaw Hall... It's without any doubt whatsoever the best available back four at the club, but for whatever reason people just keep pointing at Gordon playing striker. Why wait just get them on the pitch.
This game has reached something of a stalemate and is turning a little niggly. However given the history between the teams and the likely introduction of fresh legs off the bench I'm sure we're in for more excitement.
Agree, although I think a fair few of us on here have also been poining at why the hell Tripps is still starting ahead of Hall. And wanted Thiaw to get in. I hope he takes the chance with Schar missing a few games. There are a few selections that need freshening up now. Obviously not helped by Wissa and Ramsey both out injured and a few others coming back from injury. But Barnes.should not be starting.
I thought you were referring to Woltemade. I think he’s going to score again today. We need Elanga and Murphy on the wings. Not Barnes.
I thought he was referring to Woltemade. I nearly **** my pants. I sincerely hope that Elanga and Murphy start over Barnes.
I don't think there's any reason other than Howe being Howe..that's not said in an unpleasant way, it's just an observation around his selections and what it takes to lose your place. It's a run of bad results or injury. It might simply be the right way. I could be wrong, but I never bought into the idea Hall was picked when deemed ready last season. It's simply untrue... He was used vs West Ham after his original subs had to come off injured and he finished that season getting player of the month. It's just my prediction based on all that I've noted, but I don't think Howe fancies Hall.
Burn needs a rest... Ultimately the two CB's cost us the game on Thursday. Maybe Gordon and Barnes didn't help missing two good chances, but the goals against were key.
I actually worry about Howe having options. It doesn't matter who you are or how good you think you are it always becomes more difficult when there's more options to make mistakes. The last few years the sides basically picked itself and as far as formations etc go it seldom ever changed.. Howe is terrific in general, but his in game management has definitely not been great and now we're getting a bigger sample size of these decisions from selection onwards. Since the cup final we've gone more direct on occasion and I don't like it. Do you think we might sit back and counter? Or just play our game?
To be fair, Burn being in at CB I do understand. Botman hasn't really looked his old self since his injury. Whenever he's played he's looked a bit unsure and off the pace. Hopefully that will come back with more game time. But you do see players who never really fully recover from injuries, so I really hope he doesn't fall into that group. Overall, I think Burn has been playing well, bar a couple of minor lapses, but most players get that over the space of 4-5 games.
In fairness to EH the back four as picked haven’t played badly this season evidenced by 3 clean sheets out of 4 PL games so far. I think most would agree that players should be picked on form and as a unit the back four have done really well so far making it difficult to drop anyone. Tie in the fact that Hall and Botman are coming back from serious injuries I can totally understand EH’s selections. I agree with the suggested back four of Tino, Thiaw, Botman and Hall but struggle to understand the extent of criticism on this point given the stats which would appear to vindicate EH.
He was excellent in the semi final vs arsenal. I thought looked very good on Thursday. I understand Burn playing, but he looked all over the shop on Thursday second half and he possibly could do with a rest. Botman is levels above him and Schar and needs a few games playing with a better partner.
Indeed, end of the day, our opinions mean nowt in terms of what actually happens. I do think Tripps needs phasing out though as soon as Hall is gully fit. He offers so much more and Tino can revert to his natural position. It's the Barnes selection that actually does my head in. <cue a Barnes match winning hat-trick today>
Agree on paper Botman is the far better player, but not on recent form. Schar will miss a few games so hopefully Thiaw steps in and cements a place at RCB.
There's also another key stat, which is that we've only won 1 game in 5, so far. The last win before wolves goes back to Chelsea last season in which they got a red card.
Again we need to look at the stats over an extended period. Every single manager in the game makes mistakes during each and every game. Some are minor, some are major. They’re human. We all make mistakes. The stats last season indicate we finished 5th in the PL and won the League Cup. We did not have a squad that merited higher than 5th IMHO. We may have had a first team that did but not a squad. Given it’s a marathon and not a sprint, calls for the manager’s head for not substituting a player in one game are just plain ridiculous but that did happen on this Forum last season. Given the final outcome of last season this does suggest EH can, in general, manage games but like every other manager does make mistakes now and then. Yes, last season is last season and it’s now this season that counts. But I genuinely think EH is one of the best managers around and is there with King Kev as best manager at NUFC in my lifetime which, as Obi will tell you, has been a long one. I would just ask for moderation in criticism if EH does make a mistake and some recognition, which is rarely given by some, for when he gets it right.
