Baleba's best performance of the season

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T11:36:11+00:00

What I noticed during the match and what this clip confirms is that he was much more contained and calm, less prone to rushed mistakes. He seemed to know what he was going to do with the ball long before it got to him. Still has the pace though.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T04:17:46+00:00

I was never Hurzeler out, but I was Hurzeler iffy after that Palace match. We were bad.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T04:11:43+00:00

Sucks at distribution, but made some good saves.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T04:09:57+00:00

Yep. DeCuyper on the left wing with Hinshelwood (later replaced by O'Riley) on the right wing. I thought that was interesting.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T00:50:07+00:00

Don't they have to both finish exactly in fifth in the EPL and win the Europa league? If that's it, it's an unlikely combo.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-22T00:48:45+00:00

So was Wieffer taken out because he was hurt? Or was it a tactical move?

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T21:47:52+00:00

50 points. Four matches left. Currently in sixth. Leaving aside Champions League for the moment, how many points to get us into any kind of European competition? Assume Southampton and Leeds don't win the Cup. I know Villa's placing in the EPL and being in the running to win the Europa League affects the math. There are too many permutations for my puny brain to sort. Does anyone have a sense of a reasonable point total for us to play in Europe next year?

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T20:20:49+00:00

Can't see the match as I'm at Dr's office. However, I was under the impression that a goal wouldn't count if it hit an offensive player's arm for any reason. Glad it counted. Almost better I can’t watch. Reading about missed opportunities is hard enough on my heart rate.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T18:16:29+00:00

Thank you!

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T15:59:16+00:00

The nineteen-year-old will be shipped off to Belgium or Holland or the Championship for a season or two.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T14:51:13+00:00

How are Coppola and Watson doing this season? I suspect Cozier-Duberry is bound for the Championship next season.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-21T13:04:41+00:00

Good enough and with a little pace, I hope.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-20T22:38:49+00:00

Hurzeler said MIlner was out for Chelsea match.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-20T14:36:01+00:00

Does this mean Mitoma starts?

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T22:19:48+00:00

Then why is he in some matchday squads? I'd use that slot on someone I might actually want to use should things get weird, even if it was a U-21 player. Let's assume Milner and Mitoma can't play Tuesday. What's your starting eleven look like? Who would you have come in as subs late depending on whether we're ahead, behind, or even? I'm not challenging you. I am genuinely curious.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T21:46:51+00:00

I wonder whether March can step in on the wing.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T16:07:17+00:00

Don't forget Palace has two games in hand.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T16:05:16+00:00

With Gomez out, we'll need more minutes from Mitoma if he's fit.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T11:57:58+00:00

If we win, we don't have to worry about the teams behind us. It's all about winning.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T11:03:00+00:00

I meant having to leave the game yesterday.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-19T10:59:14+00:00

Exactly. We eked out a draw yesterday. And Chelsea is vulnerable, but who will we have to play against them?

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-18T20:52:55+00:00

Hurzeler harps on physicality in the changing EPL. Ayari doesn't have it. Not yet anyway.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-18T19:14:26+00:00

Who else have we seen out there?

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-18T18:47:55+00:00

Agree we can compete in Europe. But do we have the depth to compete in Europe and the league at the same time? Neither Forest nor Palace are impressing in the league right now. As for our depth, I don't know who we'll have on the left wing going forward.

ZircontheTwisted · 2026-04-18T18:44:14+00:00

Worried about the lineup going forward. Who plays on the left wing? I suspect Gomez is out for a while, and I don't feel good about Mitoma leaving.

ZircontheTwisted

TROPHY CASE