Europa Conference League 2023/4

[Wicked Messenger]

The back four has been chopped and changed all season due to injuries and in a smaller part, trying to rest players. I wanted to be convinced by Diego but for me is the poorest of our centre backs and just doesn’t dominate as his physique suggests he would. Maybe should have shown more faith in Kaine a few games ago to bring Konsa in. If he’s not ready then hope Longlet is ready soon.

 

[remote]

Any truth in the rumours that Unai sent to of his coaches to the stand due to arguing?

Didnt see anything like that myself. Even if true these things tend to look more dramatic than they actually are

 

[Wicked Messenger]

We looked tired after the second goal, not unsurprisingly. Lille don’t play until the return leg while we’ve got the small matter of Arsenal.

 

[Wicked Messenger]

Any truth in the rumours that Unai sent to of his coaches to the stand due to arguing?

According to TNT our no.2 in a fracas with the Lille goalkeeping coach at half time, both sent to stands.

 

[Langoe66]

Lille are a good side , they look after the ball and we need to avoid cheap turnovers.

Some people seem upset that they created chances and that Emi actually had to make some saves , but you'd be disappointed if he hadn't made some of those save and it's what you have the best goalkeeper in the world for.

We've got a lead though and that is priceless. Like I said last night I'd back us to score at their place , they are very open and with the onus on them to take the game to us , we can damage them on the counter.

Their defending for both of our goals was poor, especially the first. Plenty for us to exploit as well next week.

 

[JW1985]

I thought we looked dangerous every time we went forward. I can't see us not scoring over there. Unfortunately I can't see them not scoring either.

 

[Dumble]

There are some Liverpool fans out there bemoaning that their season has ended within the space of one week, but they are in a title race. I also see that Rodri has come out this week to say he is tired and needs a break! Need to keep our heads, we are definitely stretched. But...

We are in the race for 4th / top 6 and still more than in a quarter final of a European competition.... with the injuries we've had to contend with. It's really amazing, I just hope we have enough steam left.

 

[Langoe66]

Moreno for Digne was a bizarre substitution last night .. .how did that help us at all ?

Didn’t hinder us either did it? Unai does it all the time with those two. One decent defender for another.

 

[sirdennis]

There are some Liverpool fans out there bemoaning that their season has ended within the space of one week, but they are in a title race. I also see that Rodri has come out this week to say he is tired and needs a break! Need to keep our heads, we are definitely stretched. But...

We are in the race for 4th / top 6 and still more than in a quarter final of a European competition.... with the injuries we've had to contend with. It's really amazing, I just hope we have enough steam left.

Yes. There seems this expectation that we are going to sweep teams aside at will every game ,and that is pie in the sky.

We are deep into crunch time now , and we're still in there punching.

Brilliant season no matter how it ends.

 

[Thomas Holte]

According to TNT our no.2 in a fracas with the Lille goalkeeping coach at half time, both sent to stands.

Yes, it was Unai's assistant coach Pako Ayestarán. It happened in the tunnel at half-time.

Old Pako isnt a shy man, and he does the dirty wind-up work on the opposition while Emery stays out of it and concentrates on the game.

 

[Dumble]

Yes. There seems this expectation that we are going to sweep teams aside at will every game ,and that is pie in the sky.

We are deep into crunch time now , and we're still in there punching.

Brilliant season no matter how it ends.

It's also very clear the areas in which we can improve, and I think we will as long as we give Unai and co. the time. Klopp's early Liverpool team could not keep clean sheets, Arsenal have had to tighten their defence. I'm not saying that we can't talk about the fact we've been defensively bad because we have, but I'm saying that the wider picture is still good in my humble.

 

[Moose66]

I'd be tempted next week to play McGinn alongside Dougie to give us a bit more bite in the middle of the park and play Tielemans with Watkins or even Diaby with Ollie and use his pace on the counter

 

[Fulford]

I have never seen Unai go as mad at the players like he did last night. He was incensed when Tielemans switched off as they were taking a free kick. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if he dragged them in early this morning to watch the game over again.

 

[wittonite]

I think the loss of Kamara has exacerbated a problem rather than create one. We didnt keep many clean sheets before Kamara got injured.

IMO we are arent physically robust enough in defence.

I also think the loss of JJ has hampered our ability to surge from deep midfield. Bigger loss than some give him credit for.

 

[sirdennis]

I'm volunteering myself to take out their No.22 in the tunnel next week if Unai wants.

 

[sirdennis]

I have never seen Unai go as mad at the players like he did last night. He was incensed when Tielemans switched off as they were taking a free kick. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if he dragged them in early this morning to watch the game over again.

Doubt it .He is happy with the result.

 

[Moose66]

I'm volunteering myself to take out their No.22 in the tunnel next week if Unai wants.

I didn't think he was that attractive but each to their own

 

[Old Trinity Villan]

I think the loss of Kamara has exacerbated a problem rather than create one. We didnt keep many clean sheets before Kamara got injured.

IMO we are arent physically robust enough in defence.

Teams let the odd goal in its football. When you let more than one in its quite often bad news was my point about Kamara.

 

["Merd"]

It's a worry that Lille will be rested over the weekend and come at us with everything next Thursday while Jonathan David won't be that quiet next week.

We put out potentially our strongest available team for this game and managed a couple of set piece goals at home in front of the Villa faithful. I'd dare to say that they created the better chances, controlled more of the ball, at Villa Park and we are in for one hell of a battle next week to go through.

This game shows us that Paulo Fonseca is a good coach, right up there imho and there is definitely player value in the European leagues (Lille's starting eleven is notionally half the price of ours)

We all recognise the weaknesses that we exhibited last night and gifted them a couple of real opportunities that thankfully Emi was able to deal with. Dougie lost his man for their goal, so that's on him.

For me the season is on a knife edge and we are in danger of finishing the season with a whimper. Games are going to come thick an fast and if we are even slightly off peak performance, we'll get found out. I'm not saying that will definitely happen, but it's always there (as it is with Arsenal, Liverpool and City). Now's the time for the leaders in the group to grab the team by the scruff of the neck and drag them to glory. Here's hoping

 

[Platypus]

Evenly matched game that could have been any score to any team? Absolutely shitting it about the away fixture? Refereeing decisions *completely* at random?

That's European football baby!

Let's just smash them at their place then, yeah?