Dark Munster

Yes, but the game would've been completely different, so he wouldn't have had those chances. He may have had different chances, but we'll never know. If City had been 4-0 up at half time I could understand criticising the starting front two, but as it was we were at 1-1 with Broja/Adams about to come on.

We'll never know of course, but I very much doubt it.

Easy to say in hindsight. It was 1-1 at half time, and it was Salisu who did that stupid little shove to give Jesus the opportunity to dive for Mike Dean. At that point Adams and Broja were warming up, to about to come on.

But they gave one of the best teams on the planet a decent game until handing a penalty decision on a plate to Mike Dean. Even after that, Adams had a good chance to equalise. At the end of the day class players won it, so I have no complaints with how Ralph handled it.

Dive + Mike F Dean = penalty

That should be 2 yellows

Mike Dean winning the midfield battle for City.

Ralph is wearing a snazzy Waistcoat. So he clearly is taking this game seriously.

I think that’s exactly it. It may not work but with FF in goal, a decent back line and midfield, it’s not a bad idea. Try to keep it level by half time, then bring on the “big” guns in the second half. Also the starting front 2 are pacy so may cause problems on the break.

Yep. After Long scores in 7 seconds he’s replaced by Adams. Then Broja comes on at half time

Willy is a decent back up, given our circumstances. But clearly FF is the better goalie, so it makes zero sense to drop him for an inferior backup against City. Not as bad as dropping Stu Armstrong for Walcott, but that's not the point. Anything less than the best (fit) 11 is mental, except maybe a decent starting 11 with a strong backup to bring on in the second half (for example, save Broja for the second half/extra time). The starting 11 we had for West Ham would be suicidal against one of the best teams in the world.

Worryingly, Ralph does have a weird sense of humour.

Depends who's doing it.

As I've said before, keep it at 3 (outfield) subs, but also allow a goalie sub for injuries even if the three outfield subs have been used.

Haaland would be much better.

Still time for 3 or 4 knocks (nothing major, just enough to keep them out for a week or so), along with 3 red cards?

Also 7 points for a goal, and if someone like Long launches the ball over the bar into row Z that'll be worth a point.

I've been saying this (in a more general setting) for years: a top quality striker lifts the whole team, from front to back. They are worth their weight in gold (and, unfortunately for us, priced accordingly).

Where's the 50,000 celebration party going to be?

I'd drop Tino, move KWP where he belongs on the right, and have Perraud and Moi play for at least the first half, since they have paired up very well in previous matches. If Moi isn't doing much by half time bring on Redmond (although he plays much better on the right). Any player with the slightest twinge or knock immediately gets hauled off. The last thing we want are injuries ahead of City.

Don’t worry. This probably is Ralph’s cunning plan to save ourselves for the City match.

Meh. They were safe before the match anyway, and we are stuck in mid table. If we also lose to Watford, but then get past City I'll be happier than a pig in shit.

…..

The World's Greatest Manager who has won f*ck all (except one horse races, which he has a 50% record in).

Walcott was unavailable too, I believe. Please make sure to let him know as well.