tpv01

I was thinking at the weekend that Harrison Reed could be a good one to see if he would be interested to come back. Proven in championship twice over with two promotions. Adds some needed bite in midfield (esp. important in the championship and he seems a master at that level) and leadership abilities that are also missing. Still gettting a bit of a look in at Fulham but can see if they want to move for more quality this summer with the season they have had. Could be one of those players who is brilliant in the champ and cant quite cut it in the prem so great for any team looking to get quickly promoted. If he had moved away to west London could likely not have to move to get back to Southampton. Could be tempted by knowing the club, unfinished business, taking over the armband from his mate ward-prowse if he moves on.

it looked like selles was telling ward prowse do to the huddle thing after the goal. Not sure the players were so interested as it lasted about 5 seconds. I don’t mind it though and if selles is trying different things and focusing on the psychological advantages. We know most our players are shot of confidence and used to being screamed at by their own teammates and fans. If we can be more like klopp’s mental monsters that could make up for the deficiencies we have elsewhere, and these come backs and strong performances seem to show that.

Captain’s performance by jwp. Was everywhere through the whole game making some crucial defensive plays and his passing and creativity was good (although these corners are still not working. Having to go short as these fizzed in to the 6 yard box “best deliveries in the prem” and so much easier to defend that get an attacking contact). He was probably hurting from another England snub as he would give his all for his country unlike those over privileged big six players that joke of an England manager picks. The bottle on the penalty at the end when it looked like Mara wanted it was huge. With a captain like that in your team it could be just possible. I counted 3 misplaced passes from Lavia which is unlike him. He is still a star though. Not playing him is like giving up the midfield. It was the same when ori was missing. That seems a major error in the first half of Brentford, particularly as there is now an international break (I know he was picked but it’s unlikely he is going to play full games from the start with Belgium).

Seen moi have worse games but that result doesn’t happen with him staying on the pitch. Gave the ball away tragically in the middle of the pitch leading to a spurs break and was hooked after that. Was hoping selles to make those subs 5 or 10 mins earlier. great game from Theo. spurs looked very ordinary. Conte right to be angry but he sets them up like that. got to hope can build momentum at the right time under the new manager, and other teams start to fall apart. Still hope, particularly after a performance and result like that.

Bad game. No width, which has been successful recently. If Walcott can’t play two games in a week I’d prefer another genuine winger like djnepo or edozie to Ely. Lavia had to play from the start. Blunt attack. Would love to have a player like wissa who sat on their bench and came on for a lovely finish at pace. Made it look easy when we know che, Walcott or AA would do the opposite. wonder if we should try someone else on corners. Commentators always say how good jwp deliveries are and how he always puts it into an “area”. They look just fizzed in and hard to attack and easier to block or defend. Never fancy we get anything from them and the players don’t seem to anymore either. Set pieces crucial in this league. Try alcaraz on them and put it up there for someone to attack. annoying when you look at the kwp injury. A cynical foul that will do a hammy every time. Don’t know how professionals can do that to each other. Could be a big blow if it’s a bad one and bree is the alternative or it means no other option that amn and Perraud as fullbacks for the rest of the season.

My MOM today was….the ref. So good to see a competent ref making clear minded decisions and not helping out the big team, crumble to moaning superstars, or make a name for himself. Compare that to the ref for Grimsby and that’s what I fear most about the drop - not the loss of players, lack of big games, tv, but the drop in standard of refs. hope the 7-8 key players get enough recovery in time for Brentford. Particularly the high energy players like lavia, JWP, alcaraz, KWP, sullymana

Was this meant to go back to the keeper unchallenged because the game had been stopped for an injury? It looked that way from my seat. It was clearly not communicated like that to all the players on both teams and could have been another Rangers situation. Our players seemed to be complaining to the Leicester players after. I’m not sure it’s even a chance for that reason but motd and sky seem to keep replaying it.

Lavia clearly a class player. I don’t understand why if you have a solid ball playing midfield of jwp, lavia and Alcaraz they are not given more of the ball and it is about maximising the pass completion of the 2 CBs and GK. should be trying to dominate the midfield in possession. Not able to cut out crosses makes the ability for defenders to mark and win headers, and the GK to be well positioned, a gamble. watching bednerek live you see how often he goes with his wrong foot. A premier league defender should be able to use both feet.

I'd like to see "Nasty Nathan" match the dark arts Howe and Tindall are expert in in the technical areas. The world is against us in this one: the media love-in, a hyped up crowd of self-entitled geordies, and billions of saudi sport-washing blood money. It is only 1-0 at half time and if we can keep it tight it's those decisions that Howe and Tindall are so good at influencing that could make the difference.

Back from game. Agree with most comments but seen little on orsic. He was terrible. The positioning was like a bad player in 5aside hiding because they don’t want the ball. On the ball not much better. Was wondering if they would keep him on to see if he worked into the game but worrying if he was brought in, like alcaraz, as an upgrade. Manager saw enough and got hooked 1st sub. I was excited about AMN after those performances in midfield for West Brom against us and MoM in the cup final for arsenal. He is an England international! Every game he plays he looks worse. Rashford just scored and did his head pointing celebration - maybe that’s the issue with AMN? Not many positives but this was a second string team and Blackpool showed nothing until they scored. Was cruising to a nice win before that and then it was a meltdown. Don’t have any issue with diallo. He came on at 86 mins when it was a scramble and at least showed the aggression the manager is looking for. Same no issue generally with Ely. Showed some nice touches but didn’t really threaten. edozie looked good and has to be a major part of the plans if can handle that with his age.

Agree with that top 6 100%. Barring any quality incomings we would be best to form the starting team around that. Baz in goal as I don't think he has been that bad. Started the season great and we forget how bad McCarthy has been the last 3 seasons. Defence can be picked from the rest. Salisu and ABK have been linked with big moves. Must be players there. KWP is quality and important player. I dont mind a CB like Lyanco as fullback. Enough teams are playing with that asymetric full back system - arsenal with white, newcastle with burn, city with Ake or Stones. I dont see why people are against it. Adds height at corners and can slip into different formations with 3 or 4 at the back. Modern teams dont need to be perfectly balanced on the left and right anymore.

I agree with this (although I also don't like to see it). Could also give the example how walker-peters was given a yellow card for time wasting on a throw (in the 1st half!) but we didnt get any Newcastle players booked for the same when they were running the clock after scoring. The foul on Djenepo was GBH. But what I dont get more is the manager also doesnt do it (although I dont like seeing that even more. Klopp, the skull-man at chelsea, conte, being the worst). Wasn't he meant to be nasty nathan? He was more harsh with Djenepo for not coming short than at the ref or 3rd official. Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall are the most sly in the league at being in the ear of 3rd official. Our players have always been a soft touch but the manager is not doing what modern managers unfortunately should be doing (at least to not be at a disadvantage when there are so many other disadvantages we have).

They were there for the taking first half but we go in 1 down to a horrible goal. Should be 2 goals up. agree with suggest subs at HT. Not hard enough in the middle and Moi should have put che through when 1 on 1

Wouldn’t be surprised to see AMN start. He is needed without Lavia or Romeu and hopefully adaptable enough to be match ready (previous loans and adapting to different managers at arsenal). Would be happier to see him in the team today than not. On moi, ralph seems to give players a shot at the start of the season. Last season it was moussa who started the first lot of games, did ok at best, then disappeared after ralph had felt he had given him a good go. Same could be for moi this season. also agree on ralph using 5 subs like rugby teams to keep intensity high. Maybe he sees Aribo like that as a perfect player to come on against tired legs and tired minds and commit players in the box.

I find this behind the scenes stuff interesting and tell us a lot of what is happening. What really happened there? There is also a clip in the highlights where Ralph is pointing at himself. What’s that about?