Will we qualify for the CL?

[PaulWinch again]

It’s not just about that. The way we are starting games is just setting a lifeless, submissive tone. The midfield absences are mitigation, but we’re underperforming with what we do have.

[PaulWinch again]

Tammy should definitely start the next game, but I’d have Barkley and Sancho in as well to give us much more drive from the off.

Also Ty can’t start, he’s really not helping our play. Fine defender, but without Pau our play is so stodgy, without Tielemans there he has to play.

[taylorsworkrate]

I genuinely think our best chance to qualify for the CL is winning the Europa now

[Demitri_C]

I genuinely think our best chance to qualify for the CL is winning the Europa now

Its starting to look that way but fortunately  for us chelsea  look tk ahve some very tricky games so that might save us

That burnley goal was massive

[PeterWithesShin]

What will save us is that after 38 league games we'll be in the CL because we're better than most of the league. No luck or fortune involved.

[Villan82]

What will save us is that after 38 league games we'll be in the CL because we're better than most of the league. No luck or fortune involved.

Correct.

Imagine being told in September that it'd be 21 February and we would be nestled in 3rd with a cushion. Everybody would have taken it and not been too bothered how we did it or that we were worried three teams might overtake us

[PaulWinch again]

We’ve done really well to get where we are - let’s not chuck it now.

[PaulWinch again]

I think that’s basically the crux of it. We’re not doing things well that we should be doing better.

[Demitri_C]

I think that’s basically the crux of it. We’re not doing things well that we should be doing better.

Precisely  this. How long did it take to get shot on target in this game? Against leeds at home! Leeds have improved recently but even blose caused them more problems than we did. I think it took something like 35 minutes to get a shit on target and it was a tane effort by bailey or ollie i cant remember  who.

Thats the most alarming  thing for me. We have gone back to how we were at start of season were we are struggling to create and score goals.

We are better than this

[Ads]

Play out better sode that is available consistently and I'd be suprised if we don't qualify through both means available.

[Corleone]

I think that’s basically the crux of it. We’re not doing things well that we should be doing better.

. I think it took something like 35 minutes to get a shit on target.

I had a similar issue this morning but i put it down to me not having my Bran Flakes

[ChicagoLion]

With the Onana Luiz central midfield we won’t do it.

[AV82EC]

With the Onana Luiz central midfield we won’t do it.

I’d slightly disagree with this. It’s not necessarily a bad midfield but it’s the team and Unai learning that if the opposition is bottling up the midfield then we have to find a way of utilising width more effectively. We did it brilliantly in the last 15 minutes yesterday and it was quite apparent that Leeds were hanging on as we cut them to ribbons time and again. You could see it in the first half as Leeds were bottling our left side and midfield but Cash and Bailey had acres of space which we didn’t capitalise on. Teams are cute now with bottling up central areas against us so Unais 3 Tens system needs tweaking and preferably without Bailey and Buendia starting.

[Clampy]

With the Onana Luiz central midfield we won’t do it.

I'd personally go with Bogarde and Onana and play Luiz either forward. I know that don't sound very exciting but I think need to do something a bit different until we get two of the midfield back.

[KevinGage]

With the Onana Luiz central midfield we won’t do it.

I'd personally go with Bogarde and Onana and play Luiz either forward. I know that don't sound very exciting but I think need to do something a bit different until we get two of the midfield back.

Don't think either Onana or Bogarde have the fleet of foot, touch and quick passing ability needed in an Emery midfield. We can carry one, just about, in the starting line up. But two is pushing it.

Bogarde is a work in progress, admittedly. So may improve.