02 Nov 2025 10:12:32
These 3 "must win" games of Villa, Real and Man City might actually be the perfect games for us and the rest of our season.
As we saw last night, villa were the perfect opponent because they came to play, but played into our hands with their suicidal playing out of defence and the immobile onana in the middle of the park. Great for getting our confidence back.
Real Madrid are in decent form, but will come to play at anfield and that will allow us to play in a similar way to last night. We'll need to step it up a bit, but I see a similar game unfolding and is being a couple of goals up. The important part will be keeping them out after that, but we can do it.
City away will be tough, but they're not playing great, Haaland never gets much change out of us, and I see a few devastating counter attacks tearing them open.
Finally, back to my original point, if the confidence is flowing after these 3 tough games, we'll be better placed to deal with the low block teams that we'll eventually face again. I definitely think the corner could be turned by the end of next week.
02 Nov 2025 10:31:52
Let’s hope so mate, I thought Dom was unbelievable last night.
It’s amazing what happens to a top footballer when there’s competition for his jersey. I remember signing Keita, and although it was a terrible signing, the level that Gini and Hendo got to after bringing him in was insane
Signing Wirtz might’ve pushed Dom to that next level. And I think that’s why Gakpo is looking average. He couldn’t blink with Diaz last season, now he’s a guaranteed starter. It was a mistake not getting another winger imo.
02 Nov 2025 10:56:51
Agree I thought Szob looked really good last night. Him and Salah’s link up looked very good at times.
{Ed025's Note - the 2 best players on the pitch JK..
02 Nov 2025 11:15:01
Ed0025 yeah I’d agree there mate.
Salah had some lovely moments and was let down on a few occasions by his final touch or decision making.
I think the lads were that relaxed they had a who could hit row Z from the furthest out competition.
Was a good performance overall though and it was nice to see a side try and come to play rather than sit Everyman and his dog behind the ball in a third of the pitch.
02 Nov 2025 12:06:34
It was great to see Salah looking more like himself.
02 Nov 2025 12:30:20
Sitting every man and his dog in their own defensive third is one thing, jk, but what makes my blood boil is taking close to a minute to take a simple free throw.
02 Nov 2025 12:39:14
Sob has been by a distance our best player so far this season but if he could compose himself in the box he would be top class.
02 Nov 2025 12:44:07
Pat I commented this yesterday. Brentford last week took 9 mins something for their 10 throw inns last week.
Last night on the 27th minute Martinez got the ball in his hands and it took him 12 seconds to kick it. Refs aren’t enforcing the laws and are their own worst enemy.
He should have just booked Macca and Onana in the very first scuffle they had on the line. If they do it again then they are both off. That’s how you stop all this wrestling in the box.
Refs stopping the play for a minute to have a word with players on corners isn’t the answer.
02 Nov 2025 13:51:43
Special mention for Bradley . he played very well last night . linked up with salah n was defensively sound.
02 Nov 2025 14:25:12
Salah looked a lot better cos he had players around him to play triangles with and try their best to free him up to cook. Szobo? I mean, he's been doing that all season. Not surprised at all.
Like @Strom, special mention to Bradley and Macca, as well. Their best games individually by a mile this season.
02 Nov 2025 14:29:05
Where are all last seasons Dom doubters now? He does a lot of important donkey work, as Gini did. Both were/ are essential to our best form.
Wirtz is going to have to find a place in the Bobby role in my opinion, and i hope that happens.
02 Nov 2025 15:34:27
Here, Johnny ?; I'm a Dom doubter.
I still don't think he's a deep lying midfielder and would rather see him higher up than a two or in the front three. He's been very good this season though and probably our best player.
It'll be interesting to see how we fit him, Wirtz and MacAllister all into the team. As we saw last night, one of them will have to sit it out or maybe one of the front three.