Match Day Thread Another Semi-On - NUFC vs Saints

This season man

 

I think concussion rule is 5 days
So Isak will out for Saturday

 

Trev can now finally confirm his hotel booking in Warsaw for the final.

 

Depends how the club register it I think but he won’t miss the game.

 

Most of the baying morons were probably at the game, and likely responded when their phones worked again.

 

Wilson looked a long way off deserving a starting place last night.
Maxi was frustratingly lazy when he came on, especially when down to 10 men.
Totally missed the Wilson head grab penno shout.
The handball looked very clear and obvious from where we were sat.
Bruno... Was a red. Very frustrating, and these 3 games out might be crucial... We'll see. We've still a strong line up with him missing however, and we rotate so infrequently people have to perform when they come in.

However, can someone tell my mother that it's unlikely I'll be back for tea?

 

Thought Wilson looked better last night but definitely still way off his best. Did a lot of grunt work holding the ball up etc - was unlucky not put Miggy clean through a couple of times

Hopefully getting back to training properly again will help

 

Thought Wilson had his best game since the WC.
Maxi and Isak looked lazy up top to me.
Handball was 50/50 - one view it was another it wasn't - no complaints.
Bruno was clearly getting too hyped - shame we didn't get him off but he'll be nicely rested for the final - can he still play U23 football for fitness?

 

I don’t think his absence will be an issue. According to Chaos he is still out injured for another two weeks with an ankle sprain so we would have had to make changes anyway.

 

Weird match, all in all. First 20 was about the best we've played; finally putting away the chances when we come storming out the blocks, some incredible interchanges.

But then.....wtf happened?! Apart from some flashes when we could've done better, it became - not for the first time - a little sloppy, a little lazy, too many little flicks or slow passes and a Bruce-era performance from Miggy. Bruno deserved the red, so stupid and so many daft fouls. Wilson just looks way off it. That pointing thing - "hey, look, defender, I'm going here." is Sunday League stuff and he's not really threatening. Again, couple of decent moments using strength but all too often it's a poor touch or pass and he's looking for the penalty too much to break his barren spell, goes down too easy.

Max also did nothing. As soon as Murphy came on I knew we couldn't score another one either. In the end we made So'ton's kids look better than us. Play anything like this and we're not winning the final.

 

Think you are reading too much into it. It could have just been a mental thing. We come out all guns blazing and score two quick goals which should effectively settle the tie. Giving away a sloppy goal meant the players may have then gone into a bit of a ‘we can’t afford another one’ and eased off the gas with a view to protecting the lead.

Sometimes in sport you play out of your skin and then a stupid mistake changes the whole pattern and puts you on the back foot. If we had scored a 3rd when we were playing well it could have ended up 5 or 6.

 

I think a large part of it was scoring 2 goals early doors, a 3-0 advantage, "We're going to Wembley" ringing around the stadium - our foot came off the gas entirely and we were coasting in neutral from that point on.

In truth though it was comfortable even after their goal - which was a great assist from Willock btw - and even after the red card I wasn't at nail biting nerves, a bit wary but never in doubt for me personally. If Armstrong had put his chance away it would have been different but after that I was confident job was done! Like you say the first 20 mins were probably our best football of the season and the play for the second goal was amazing but don't think Eddie will let them off with that last 70mins performance (probably our worst of the season).

Be interesting to see how the squad reacts now - Wembley in 3.5 weeks - will people be putting their feet in for the 50/50's now? Next few games could be seriously tough especially without Bruno!

 

T. They didn't look like they were gonna get back level

 

Where's the match thread for Wet Spam game in just 3 days?

Albert is slacking!

 

Fully deserved to go through to the final. By far the better team over the two legs and probably should have won it by more, not that that really matters.
Anyway, all the best for the final, I hope you go on to beat the Mancs (unless something remarkable happens tonight) and win it!

 

Cheers fella.

 

Cheers mate. Thought you lads put up a good account of yourselves and even before your signings, have the makings of a team there with some good young players. I think you'll stay safe this year, and best of luck with it.