Sheaf Saint

Can't believe that. Awful penalty.

Long has to do better there. Completely free header in the 6-yard box.

Controlling the game. Much the better side but no goals to show for it. We all know which way this is going to go don't we.

Anybody got any idea if there will be any streams available tonight? I'm guessing not.

I seem to recall in one of Koeman's seasons with us that he ended a run of very poor results by switching to a back 3 at home to Everton and we smashed them 3-0. Obviouls y they are a different looking team now, and so are we, but I don't think we should just abandon the idea of using a back 3 completely. I reckon there will be occasions where it can be used effectively, but it depends on the personnel. Cedric was completely ineffective as a RWB yesterday, and I would feel happier if Yoshi was one of the three CBs. Some people have been calling for Stephens to be tried in a CDM role. I wonder if there is a way that we can set up to switch between the 3-4-2-1 and the 4-2-3-1 without needing to make subs to do it. Stephens can step forward into CDM with Bertrand and Cedric slotting back into a more traditional full back position, freeing up Lemina to move to a more advanced role.

Yeah he made a couple of awful errors yesterday but he also had a few really good moments. I remember a really good interception in the 2nd half to prevent a clear scoring chance. I know he has his detractors, but I'm sure there is a good player in there if he can learn to cut out the howlers like Yoshida has.

There was another moment where he threw himself at full stretch to intercept a superb cross and prevent an almost certain goal. I think he has all the early makings of a cult hero for us.

I think your username sums him up nicely right now!

Vestegaard already looking like he could become a cult hero for us.

Good chance for Stephens there. Could/should have done better perhaps?

Gabbi coming on for Austin

Looking so much better now since the shape change. I hope Hughes has learnt a lesson and never attempts that monstrosity of a formation again.

Ings getting straight into the action there. Very positive. Let's see how well we cope with this change of formation. Can't be worse than how we started I guess.

Just not enough quality to do anything with it.

A sustained spell of pressure from us at last.

Not his biggest fan but credit where it's due. Good work there from Redmond to get to the ball and get a cross in.

Decent header from Lemina. Comfortable for Hart. At last we look like we actually have some desire to get forwards and try and score, but the quality still isn't there. And as I type, we nearly get carved open on the break.

Reminds me of that goal Austin scored against us a few years ago while playing for QPR.

It would also probably p!ss off three senior CBs knowing that a LB was being picked ahead of them. I thought Bednarek looked OK in a 3 towards the end of last season and he provided a goal threat from set pieces as well.

Fair enough. TBH, it's so many years since I last saw him play that I could be getting him confused with someone else.

I think the main difference there was that Jay-Rod's game prior to his knee injury was all about pace, which he had clearly lost when he finally overcame all the setbacks he had with his recovery. Ings is a different type of player who can offer more than just pace on the break.

If this signing is enough to fill Alps with optimism then it's good enough for me!

When was that? Was it before or after Ings signed? It's possible he just made a mistake.

It makes for depressing reading I'll grant you. But I have absolutely no doubt that Gabbi will get a lot more goals this season if we play to his strengths instead of criminally under-using him like MoPe did, and that Armstrong will get a lot more than Davis ever has.

In case anybody is still under any doubt about how much influence Israel has over British media reporting... https://twitter.com/benabyad/status/1027456223262793729 then... then...