The Flying Finn

Aubameyang got one for less contact about an hour ago. No consistency.

Nail on head. I’m not sure on the high differential, but it was pretty much the equivalent of me being marked by my 2 year old niece. He’s not just much taller, he’s their best header of a ball and has already scored. Suicidal defending. We’ve got no leaders in defence, McCarthy included.

Getting bullied by Diame ffs.

What is that from Hoedt?

Stephens bullied again.

I think it was Malcolm Tucker that said (I'm paraphrasing) 'If you leave in 6 months it's their fault, but if you leave after a year it's your fault.' How he is still employed I don't know. Additionally, I don't understand how we are as big as 4/1 to go down. 12 games without a win. 1 win since October. 13 games to play, 5 at home. 3 of them are Liverpool, Chelsea and City...

I agree wholeheartedly. I'd have had him out weeks ago. But for me, Palace is the point that incompetence becomes utter lunacy.

If we don't beat Palarse then he has to go.

I remember being sat with the Young Saints for a match against Arsenal (I think). Dryden came on as a sub and, as he got into position, shouted "Never fear, Trigger's f****** here."

I think we have too many players that either don't anticipate, gamble or attack the ball from crosses.

Well I don't think Shane Long will be in the squad tonight. Just seen him out in Eastleigh on crutches.

Barry and Tadic look like they've played together for ages. Excellent goal.

Off his elbow from the looks of the replay.

I'm reluctant to be too critical of Stephens because he's still very inexperienced at Premier League level and it's not his fault that he's been thrown in at the deep end, but boy does he need to learn fast. He has been bullied by both Llorente and Carroll. Forget about the quality of Obiang's through ball, there is no way he should be letting Carroll get inside him for the first goal yesterday. He didn't cover himself in glory for the third goal either. Granted it was Romeu who gave the free kick away, but it was Stephens' initial indecision that he was trying to make up for. I don't think he was helped by Yoshida at all yesterday, who should be stepping up to the plate as the experienced centre half. I thought their positioning was largely poor and the gap between them was too wide on several occasions, as seen by the equaliser. Technically he looks decent on the ball and, as others have said, I like that he has the confidence to try and bring the ball out from the back at times. I can see why the club have supposedly earmarked him as a defensive midfielder, but I'm not convinced with him as a centre back in the long term.

We've been reactive rather than proactive in bringing in a CB and not for the first time.