Dark Munster

Yes as I said earlier, there is no incentive for them to go for a cricket score, unlike the league where goal difference can be crucial at the end of the season. Go three up and then they can put on their slippers, put their feet up, and have a nice cup of tea.

Can we score 5 goals in the second half?

Just read this in the Echo: What do you mean, hindsight? It was obvious to almost everyone before the ball was first kicked. Very worrying if he believes that load of bollocks.

Currently he's a 6. If we go up automatically he goes up to 8 (9 if we somehow finish first). If we go up through the playoffs he gets a 7. If we don't go up he's a 3.

We probably don't have to worry about a cricket score. Unlike the PL, goal difference means diddly squat in cup matches, so they have no incentive to rack up double digits once the game is safe. If they go 3 up watch them bring on the kids and shut up shop.

Edit: wrong fred

I was more annoyed in that match when some Derby thug took out Bale.

Maybe those were also the stats that Sky were using last season for him to make their team of the year.

Ok, his defending is utter crap. But don’t forget he makes up for that with his attacking prowess. I’ve lost count of how many goals and assists he’s had this season. Can someone remind me?

Well with autos now 100% gone don't we still want Leeds to win, so that they will finish above Ipswich and we don't have to play them in the playoffs? 😀

I wasn't the only one who saw this coming, the starting line up was a joke. And it was so predictable, in having no proper defensive cover, plus playing Manning. It was a recipe for disaster. And this was not a one-off mistake, he did the same against Huddersfield and Bristol, and earlier in that horrible 4 match losing streak. The WBA starting line up (given that Downes is out) was spot on. So what does he do, goes back to having a hot knife through butter midfield (and exacerbates it by bringing back his buddy Manning). IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON"T F*CKING FIX IT!! What's that definition of insanity again?

And not interfering with play. Many would agree with that: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/feb/26/manolo-gabbiadini-southampton-manchester-united-efl-cup-final#:~:text=The early offside left a,not interfering with the play.

Not really. Compare the starting line ups.

I’m seething he started with that non existent midfield. So bloody obvious.

Who would’ve f**king predicted it?

I actually liked the starting line up against WBA when it was announced. Manning dropped, and Stephens in to replace him, with Shea in midfield. Today I definitely do not. But hopefully they will shove that up my arse!

Brave, or foolish? I'm leaning toward the latter. We'll see.

As others have said, I don't like the midfield, it's an accident waiting to happen. Teachers' pet and hopeless defender Manning shoe horned (ironically) in place of Stephens, and also no Shea. I have a horrible feeling the first half it'll be like Huddersfield, and by the time RM fixes it with subs it may too late this time.

We also scored 3 perfectly good goals.

I’m not saying we would definitely have won. But there’s a good chance we would have if we had Fonte and VVD in place of Yoshi and Stephens. Plus not having a blind linesman

Did you watch the final? We tore into them and were unlucky to lose. The earlier league match was irrelevant.

If we don’t win tonight we’ll know who to blame.

Lots of managers do well at one club and stink elsewhere, it doesn't diminish what they did earlier. What has Adkins done since he left us, or Ronald Koeman? Even the much lauded Poch has been sacked twice, and is on borrowed time at Chelsea. I'm not saying Puel would be with us as long as Laurie Mac, but he was hounded out too soon. We've had plenty of discussions of how he had to cope with a much weaker squad than RK had the season before. But let's not start that again.