Match thread - NUFC v Citeh - FA cup QF

[Slim999]

Just in case it wasn't mentioned enough times ( I counted 6) yesterday by Messrs Shearer, Lineker, Richards, + commentary team...

.... Can I just reiterate that Kevin De Bruyne is a wonderfully wonderfully sublimely gifted footballer.

Just in case anyone wasn't aware

[Colly]

I don't think anyone (other than forced defensive clearances) gave the ball away more than ASM in the first half. I know it's difficult under the circumstances, but if you're playing like that you need your better players to be spot on and we didn't have that yesterday.

It was the 9-1-1 tactics completely to blame

Each time we got the ball we were surrounded by City players.

No player can be blamed for any of that

Purely the managers fault

On Your way Brucie

I didn't agree with the tactics either, just saying that for that tactic to work (which it has done a couple of times under Bruce and a couple of times under Rafa) it relies on your players being on top form and a few things going your way.

Hell, as much as I'm not a fan of it and have been critical of it on here for years, but for a silly push from Schar and the spurned sitter from Gayle who knows what could have happened?

[Don Sholeone]

At least Gayles miss gave Joelinton the weekend off from over the top criticism.

On a more serious note I think he looked really good again when he came on yesterday, seemed to work hard and tried to make positive things happen, made room for himself and others but never got the right pass, one occasion I remember was him dribbling out from the back passing a couple city players and taking all the pressure off, lays the ball off and makes a bursting run, then one of the Longstaffs just played the ball back to the defence again putting man city back on our 16yd box.

Hopefully he can keep it up for the rest of the league games.

Is criticism of Joelinton really that over the top? . He cost £40m and has scored four goals, two of which came against Rochdale and Oxford. He really is hopeless, although he has improved slightly (only very slightly) since the season resumed.

Imo yes, I think the system has been as much at fault as he has, the problem is we created maybe 1 clear cut or half chance for him a game and you could see frustration setting in, thats when he stopped running the channels and getting in the right positions. Since the switch to 4231 he's been a lot more involved just he still lacked in confidence, since restart he's played really well imo and started doing the right things again.

We need to remember he's a young lad, who came with so much expectation because of the fee, new league new country/culture, a system that isn't designed for a player like him. It became clear he hit rock bottom in confidence pretty early on. He hadn't even had half a season and practically the whole fanbase got on his back. He's had a rough hand delt for his first 6 months and had little to no support or encouragement from his own fans, so I have a lot of sympathy for him.

[Don Sholeone]

I think we regressed to old ways against city and it backfired massively because they were on their game. The ASM losing possession thing mirrored early on in the season where we were giving him the ball on the edge of our area and expecting him to magically drive the team to he opposition box, we were so deep they could swamp him with 3 players immediately so I can't really point blame at him. He's not a player who's going to do that he needs to be 1 on 1 with the opposition we can't expect him to beat 3 players everytime he's on he ball, he's a top talent but even peak Messi couldn't do much in the situations he was put in yesterday

[biggeordiedave]

Just in case it wasn't mentioned enough times ( I counted 6) yesterday by Messrs Shearer, Lineker, Richards, + commentary team...

.... Can I just reiterate that Kevin De Bruyne is a wonderfully wonderfully sublimely gifted footballer.

Just in case anyone wasn't aware

As good as he is, I don't think he would have even managed that pass Carroll made to Gayle against Villa .

[Remember Colo]

Maybe a hot take? But if not for the fact the club wouldn't have likely spent more money, the club should have snatched Man U's hands off for the money they allegedly offered for Longstaff last summer. A CM can't be as anonymous as he has been anytime he's played this season.

[UlversToon]

If anybody is interested extended or brief "highlights" are now available on nufc.co.uk

[bodacious benny]

Might watch the first half again.

[ALF]

Lazaro looks exciting.

I assume this is sarcasm...?

I’ve been so disappointed with him since he joined.

It wasn't. He impressed me just before the break and when he came on he looked quick and wanted the ball. Too many of our players are happy being passive and don't go looking for the ball.

[ALF]

Maybe a hot take? But if not for the fact the club wouldn't have likely spent more money, the club should have snatched Man U's hands off for the money they allegedly offered for Longstaff last summer. A CM can't be as anonymous as he has been anytime he's played this season.

Was one of the few players that wanted the ball as well as making numerous blocks/tackles. I'd also like to see him in an attacking team, looked impressive as a number 10 against Oxford in the cup and he was pressing from the front in the second half yesterday.

[Remember Colo]

Maybe a hot take? But if not for the fact the club wouldn't have likely spent more money, the club should have snatched Man U's hands off for the money they allegedly offered for Longstaff last summer. A CM can't be as anonymous as he has been anytime he's played this season.

Was one of the few players that wanted the ball as well as making numerous blocks/tackles. I'd also like to see him in an attacking team, looked impressive as a number 10 against Oxford in the cup and he was pressing from the front in the second half yesterday.

I don't disagree with the second point. I'd be curious to see him played differently, and I don't blame him when I do think he has a mediocre performance, as it's often been a long time since he last was on the pitch. He and his brother's playing time has been so inconsistent, it's kinda hard to know what we really have in them.

[Colly]

Maybe a hot take? But if not for the fact the club wouldn't have likely spent more money, the club should have snatched Man U's hands off for the money they allegedly offered for Longstaff last summer. A CM can't be as anonymous as he has been anytime he's played this season.

Was one of the few players that wanted the ball as well as making numerous blocks/tackles. I'd also like to see him in an attacking team, looked impressive as a number 10 against Oxford in the cup and he was pressing from the front in the second half yesterday.

Agree entirely. Given that he and Hayden were basically in there to play spoiler and block shots they both did their job admirably (and at the risk of being a stuck record you wouldn't have got that from Shelvey). I'd just like to see him get another run of games, he and Hayden looked a great partnership last season.