Rousseau

This has been a wonderful performance from Wolves against City. 

They've got a really good, tactical coach who knows how to set up a side. 

I didn't think it was a foul for City's equaliser; I thought the Wolves player got the ball.

Mourinho usually self-destructs in the third season. Is it his third season at Utd, maybe 4th?

7 hours ago, Ser Barristan Selmy said:

Lafferty has never been anything more than an extremely limited player. There’s a reason he bombed in England and found himself playing for Hearts - he isn’t very good.

Yet, he had a successful period in Europe, and also had a good international career playing in a Euro Championship. 

I agree he's limited, but those limited qualities can be useful for us. 

Like I said, a striker doesn't have to score 30 goals a season to be important to the team.

I was surprised at our confidence pre-match to be honest. There is a few Russian sides that play this way, and although they don't score many, they're very difficult to break down. FC Rostov reached the CL a couple of years ago playing this way, frustrating Barcelona, I think.

Their mid-block, an almost pentagon shape, is very impressive, and very difficult to break down; they then have three CBs behind. 

I think we needed two up front, to try to occupy their back-three. And then try to free up space out wide, with Ejaria and Arfield's lateral runs out wide.  

8 hours ago, weebluedevil said:

I think we’ve just done enough thanks to the clean sheet.

Don't jinx it!

11 hours ago, Ser Barristan Selmy said:

Perhaps if he was a world beater like Dado Prso your argument would hold some relevance. 

 

And Prso’s goal record was still vastly superior to Lafferty’s.

Their goal record is actually pretty much, exactly the same. 

He's not a goalscorer, but he can contribute to the team. He's a willing runner, presser; he'll hold it up; he's versatile, playing up top or wide; he'll help out aerially at set-pieces; he'll chip in with a goal here and there; and, he's got a lot of experience. A striker doesn't need to score goals to be an important cog in the team. 

Your argument is narrow-minded. 

That's a right thick Geordie accent Alice has got, I'm glad of the subtitles...  

6 minutes ago, Ser Barristan Selmy said:

He already failed miserably with us and his goal record across his career is extremely poor. Signing a striker with a poor goal record makes as much sense as signing a keeper that concedes tonnes of goals.

A striker doesn't need to score goals to be important to the team. 

Well, that's the team talk taken care of. 

1 minute ago, buster. said:

Wallace isn't going to make his first start in X months in a game as important as this.

Yes, you're right.

Too early, but it is an option - with Barasic, I suppose, though.

Ufa play a back five, don't they?

Could we maybe see a match-up? With Wallace coming in with Flanagan going to LCB?

McGregor

Tavernier - Goldson - Katic - Flanagan - Wallace

Ejaria - Jack - Arfield

Morelos - Kent/Candeias/Lafferty

Yes, I think you're close, if not spot on.

McGregor

Tavernier - Goldson - Katic - Flanagan

Ejaria - Jack - Arfield

Candeias - Morelos - Kent

I can see Lafferty coming on for Kent/Candeias for a more direct attacking outlet.

I actually think Lafferty will be a good option wide, as a target-man for Tavernier's (and Barasic) crosses.

11 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

Is there any word on whether the away leg will be televised?

 

3pm kick off is a pain in the bum.  

11 hours ago, weebluedevil said:

Yep , really gutted about the kick-off time, and can’t really afford the time off, so will be RTV on iPhone propped up against my monitor. 

19:45 Kick-off according to the Ranges site.

Reading about his spells in Europe in the article, I find it hilarious that during Lafferty's spell at Palermo he outscored Paulo Dybala and Andrea Belotti, two of the best strikers in Serie A today. Mental.

16 minutes ago, ian1964 said:

 

Frustrating; he was a key player.

That pitch has to be banned. 

Where does he play? Almost 3rd choice LB.

I thought maybe CB, if we were desperate, but I don't think he's a great defender. He's clever, though.

How did the Bullshit Bingo go?

1 hour ago, trublusince1982 said:

Someone somewhere pointed out Halliday had worked under McAllister before so he's probably preferred for his versatility

Good point. He's not a great player, but his versatility could be crucial: in him we have a back-up for 2-3 positions. 

I think Middleton is good enough to play, but not as a Murphy replacement. SG & Co like our 'wingers' to occupy the half-space, which requires more skill than a typical winger. Middleton is a typical winger. 

3 hours ago, gaspard said:

You sir, are bonkers

 

I'm knackered just thinking about the traveling you've done since the start of the season.

 

Alan Wicker  has less air miles than you

 

 

There's a thing for the Pod: Forlan's World.

How is that a foul from Sadiq? 

Soft penalty claim, but he wriggles out then gets a foul against him?

Foderingham must have learned that off McGregor: not touching the ball until the opponent comes close, wasting time.