Ok, that second half aside...

[Zippity]

...what a cracking win that was.

Fantastic spirit after going behind and a really good performance in that first half.

A nine-point deficit at one point was been turned into a 3 point one now and results this weekend, including currently at the Etihad, could hardly have gone any more in our favour.

We needed to win...and we did.

Onwaaaaards!!

[Sclox]

Yup Zip. We can moan like beatches about the 2nd half all we like but ultimately after a slow start against a very good team, we won and other results could go in our favour.

That said that 2nd half Bournemouth/ Fulham/ City problem needs addressed.

[toptoon]

...what a cracking win that was.

Fantastic spirit after going behind and a really good performance in that first half.

A nine-point deficit at one point was been turned into a 3 point one now and results this weekend, including currently at the Etihad, could hardly have gone any more in our favour.

We needed to win...and we did.

Onwaaaaards!!

Yes, definitely - brilliant win and keeps us in the hunt for CL positions. In a years time noone will give a rats what we did in the second half of this game. The 4-3 win and 3 points is all that will count.
Having said that we all know how important consistency is for top sides and we aint there yet by any means.

[tinostongue]

Just watched Lpool demolish city and can’t help wondering how on earth we can beat them in the cup final, they are just so confident and inventive with loads of energy. As much as it hurts me to say it, I can’t see anything other than another Wembley disappointment, I hope hope hope I’m so wrong!

[Sclox]

Just watched Lpool demolish city and can?t help wondering how on earth we can beat them in the cup final, they are just so confident and inventive with loads of energy. As much as it hurts me to say it, I can?t see anything other than another Wembley disappointment, I hope hope hope I?m so wrong!

This and a top 4 capitulation could be a disaster from a recruitment perspective.

[Nufcian]

Just watched Lpool demolish city and can?t help wondering how on earth we can beat them in the cup final, they are just so confident and inventive with loads of energy. As much as it hurts me to say it, I can?t see anything other than another Wembley disappointment, I hope hope hope I?m so wrong!

I had hoped their second CL game would be away, but they only have one day less to prep for the game and they don?t have to travel.

This is probably the biggest test Eddie will have faced in his managerial career? we managed to get points away to Arsenal, but again we sat back in the second half with a lead? we managed to not concede but comparing both attacks of the opposition just suggests that trying to defend any lead against Liverpool is madness and will totally give away any momentum we might have built in the game if we were to get in front.

Just got to have fingers crossed that Botman is fully fit, and Joelinton is fully fit for the game.

Eddie has definitely got the ability to get the best out of the players, but we are going to have to be at our best from the first to the very last kick of the ball to get something? managing our strength and stamina to be at it for 90+ minutes is going to be key.

I think the game on Wed will be a yardstick for the final, obviously they are going to have home advantage at Anfield? but my biggest question is will Eddie play the same way both games, or setup differently on Wed to try and influence Slot?s thinking for the final then come out with something a bit different?

Rotation of players like Barnes and Wilson, and getting them sharp in the 3 remaining games, and hopefully getting Botman and Joelinton some minutes before the final will be a most too.

[Ragatino]

Rotation of players like Barnes and Wilson, and getting them sharp in the 3 remaining games, and hopefully getting Botman and Joelinton some minutes before the final will be a most too.

This is a key point well made mate.

If we'd have had our destroyer J7 on the field in that 2nd half we'd have been able to control the game better.

Big Yas in the crowd got to see with his own eyes where we are and what a great job Eddie has done once again with a threadbare squad.

Proven manager with a successful track record when the team are available for him to go at teams. Also, abundantly clear that the way we physical nature of our style of play means that we need to be able to make subs and bring in like-for-like quality.

The 2nd half proved that players were spend and bringing on Barnes to play out of position on the right focuses the need for the board to act and support Eddie with a raft of new players in the summer.

So, coupled with the progress around the Stadium it's wins all round. Nothing but positive!

5 and fighting for every point.

Howay the lads!

[Nufcian]

Come the summer I?d love to see us go for Douglas Luiz? he had been expected to leave Juve in Jan, after only moving their last summer.

Went there for 21m so there could be a good deal to be had, another Brazilian to add to the middle so he should be able to settle in relatively easily, can play going forward or in a No 6 role.

I just think Willock is too light weight in the middle? if Barnes were to go I?d give him a shot at playing rotation with Gordon after his performance against Brum, but we need someone with a bit more physicality about him.

Miley is coming on, he?s physically developed since last season but he?s still being shifted off the ball to easy.

I?d still sell Longstaff anyway, to balance numbers if nothing else, but I have been saying that for a couple of years now 🤣

[Ragatino]

Come the summer I?d love to see us go for Douglas Luiz? he had been expected to leave Juve in Jan, after only moving their last summer.

Went there for 21m so there could be a good deal to be had, another Brazilian to add to the middle so he should be able to settle in relatively easily, can play going forward or in a No 6 role.

I just think Willock is too light weight in the middle? if Barnes were to go I?d give him a shot at playing rotation with Gordon after his performance against Brum, but we need someone with a bit more physicality about him.

Miley is coming on, he?s physically developed since last season but he?s still being shifted off the ball to easy.

I?d still sell Longstaff anyway, to balance numbers if nothing else, but I have been saying that for a couple of years now 🤣

The Midfield is well stocked. At the start of the season we were all agreed that CMF wasn't a position we needed to do any business.

26 games into the season and we have major question marks over Willock and Wor Longy ... well is Wor Longy.

Miley is on his way to being a World class player who could easily and comfortable feature for England and wouldn't look out of place in a Barcelona or Real Madrid shirt.

Luiz or the Atalanta Midfielder Emerson, with whom we've been persistently connected, would be decent signings to replace Willock.

Joe's become the weakest link in the squad among the CMF options. Great in the first half driving forward, his form is improving after his brace in the cup match. However, whether he still needs more minutes until he can perform at the top level for 70-80mins or he's just too one dimensional and relies on others in the CMF to cover with engine and defensive capabilities is up for debate.

Either way, Luiz or Emerson would be an improvement. Willock has value and he will attract interest from many Premier League teams should he become available.

If possible we need to cash in on Willock in the summer.

Wor "Pure profit" Longy.

How I loath the fact that academy players are now just seen as chips to cash in for pats on the head from the cartel stooges at Prem League HQ.

Sean is good enough to play week in, week out for mid-table Prem team. Unfortunately for him we're no longer a lower/mid table Prem team. We're a top 6 team. Is he good enough to command a spot in the squad long term?

The Geordie boy bonus is important for identity and culture of the club. I would prefer we keep hold of him and sell Willock.

On the wing debate

Barnes is a goal scorer. Off the left he's class. We absolutely need competition for Gordon to keep the levels up. We've seen when the pressure is off due to injuries standards naturally slip. I don't have any issue with Barnes. It's clear he's not a right winger. We'd have seen more impact if Osula had been brought on for Gordon. I understand why Eddie didn't release the Danish Beast as he's a bit of a wild card... Love me a wild card haha but I get it!

Once again the glaring issue is our Right Wing position.

Murph is Murph. he falls into the same box as Longy for me. Better to keep him around as a squady but seriously need an upgrade for the first team starter and also need to bring in a youth prospect with Miley levels of potential.

Being linked to Antonio Cordero is great but again he's a right footer who prefers playing off the left.

With my Football Manager hat on, how I work is have a Prime age first 11 player, a Prem standard 12-22 shadow team and an under 18s 4-5 star potential player in each position.

When the inevitable injuries occur it's plug and play between the 3. That's were in real life we need to get to.