Sheaf Saint

Caulker isn't on the bench. Martina is the only defender we have as substitute today.

Jeez - our defence looks so shaky. Anybody other than Cleverley would have made that 0-2 then.

FFS - that's twice in two games we have conceded after p*ss-poor defending down our left side following our own corner at the other end!

Targett was lucky that Lukaku's last touch took the ball wide, otherwise he would have been off.

Indeed...

https://video-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xfp1/v/t42.1790-2/11818873_10207444442088008_872901670_n.mp4?efg=eyJ ybHIiOjMxNiwicmxhIjo1MTJ9&rl=316&vabr=176&oh=143c519541ebf1c928e51c797bbd240e&oe=55CDE65E

You misunderstand. Those three games were ones we should have won, but lost 1-0. Nothing to do with failing to defend a lead, and everything to do with failing to find the net.

The major difference between that situation and this is that Lambert was being offered a mammoth pay rise to go and play for the team he has supported his whole life. What exactly can Aston Villa offer Fonte that we can't?

Ha! I was scrolling through this thread looking for confirmation of Romeu signing... I certainly didn't expect to see a picture of my boss shaking hands with Gareth Rogers on the SMS pitch!

Does anybody know of any sites where you can watch highlights of the weekend's games? For the life of me I can't understand why, unlike all their other programs, the BBC can't make MOTD available on iPlayer immediately after broadcast. I assume it is to do with some rights bullsh*t with Sky and the PL. I do have access to a VPN which will allow me to access content that is normally blocked in the UK, but I just don't know where to look.

Felt we got bullied for a lot of the game and were quite fortunate to take the lead, although the cross and header were top quality - what we missed badly last season with Clyne on the right. Very poor from Targett for their second goal. Then when we equalised Newcastle ran out of steam and we finished the much better side. I won't berate Mane for those misses too much (they most certainly weren't 'sitters' as many on here claim) because it was only his brilliance that created the chances to begin with. We definitely weren't at our best defensively, but we still have Bertrand to come back, and we know the club are doing everything they can to sign a quality CB before the window closes, so I'm not too concerned yet. A draw away at a ground we usually lose at, against a rejuvenated team with a competent manager, is not too bad a way to start the domestic season. Undefeated in 3 competitive games so far this season. Mustn't grumble really.

That's the first time I've even seen Pelle touch the ball this half. He's very isolated.

What's up with Wanyama today? Has the ball in an attacking position - waits and waits and waits, then gives it away really cheaply, putting us in trouble. Really not like him.

At least he isn't quite as bad as Danny Fox was in the PL.

Absolutely p*ss poor from Targett. Gave the ball away very badly, then completely lost the winger leaving him the time and space to cross. When is Bertrand back?

edit: Oops, wrong thread.

We're getting outnumbered in midfield because our front 4 are pressing high and our back 4 are sitting deep, leaving just Davis and Wanyama, who appears to be having one of his 'can't-be-arsed' off days, in the centre of the park. Need to make changes at HT to tighten things up a bit. While it's nice to see him starting again, Rodriguez isn't having a great game, so I would maybe take him off for JWP who can sit a bit deeper and offer a little more protection to the defensive unit.

FFS. How did the Lino not see that blatant offside in the lead up to the corner that they scored from!?

We got the early goal meaning we just had to play a containing game, which we did very efficiently. It wasn't pretty, and we obviously conceded a lot of possession in midfield as a result of not needing to commit players forward, but we played a very good tactical game and got the result. A 2-0 away win in European competition is not to be sniffed at. I hope all the travelling fans who were lucky enough to get tickets enjoyed themselves.

Yeah, agreed. I would start with Targett at LB and move Yoshida back into the centre for Sunday. It's the only logical option unless we sign a new CB between now and then.

J-Rod looks like he has bulked up a bit.

No, it isn't...

Nice one Jay. It's been too long since we've seen that, and it's more than welcome.

We lost our shape a bit when Claisie and Tadic went off, but we always looked to have a very limited Vitesse side contained. Peach of a finish from Pelle Finally a good penalty taken by Tadic Delightful little chip from Juanmi to Long for the 3rd, after Long had done his trademark charge through the defence to create panic that he does so well. Cedric looks a more than capable replacement for Clyne. Lots of positives to take from that. I can't really see Vitesse turning that scoreline over in the away leg so we should be comfortably through to the group stage. We march on!

Lovely little chip to Long from Juanmi there. Long maybe should have done better with the chance in the first instance but can't complain; his job is to cause havoc in opposition defences and he does it well.