12 Apr 2021 13:03:07
Anyone else believe that if Cooper had not been sent off we probably wouldn't have won that game on Saturday. If we had continued our normal expansive attacking game I think they may have found ways to score. It was great to see the team digging in and it was a great result and showed the resolve in the team.
The instructions to the team to not allow the ball players to get the ball and to allow the likes of Stones and Ake to have the ball was inspired.

1.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:08:43
Couldn’t agree more.

2.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:37:02
Yes as things turned out I think the sending off actually helped us by forcing us to defend more.

3.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:37:09
Ox, is that just a gut feeling or some inspired knowledge

From the 'stats' that are churned out week after week it looks like Cooper has a better win percentage than his direct replacement Striuk. Also the goals against for Cooper is better. I am just interested in how other people form there opinions.

And just to say, even tho Struik hasn't got the stats that Cooper has, I still think he is a good centre half.

I know I have a reputation on here for being over-positive but I just don't see why elements on here continue to slag off our players, even when the team has done well. Weird.

4.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:38:06
Ox, great post, forced the hand of Bielsa and made the most of Struick and Koch off the bench . Might not be a plan b but definitely a plan A.2 that could be used as a way of holding on in games we are winning or to give us a stronger defensive platform, in games against top teams. Although we are well set up to attack, our speed and fitness make us well set up for a quick counter against teams that commit. Sublime ball from Alioski by the way!

5.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:46:56
I think this is more a comment relating relating to tactics than about any particular player. We should have probably been 3-2 down at half time if both teams ahead taken their chances so on balance we were giving Citeh a lot of good chances and they were quite wasteful. In the 2nd half, we tightened up and restricted their opportunities.

6.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 13:50:39
Axe - I was not criticising Cooper at all. Just think the fact we changed tactics because of going to 10 men made the difference on Saturday.

7.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 14:41:12
Agree Axe, even Man City who are on course to do the quadruple have fans who moan about certain players constantly.

8.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 15:15:54
Ox, fair enough, I just like understanding how fellow poster see situations.

I hadn't seen a change in the defensive effort between the time Cooper was on and after he was sent off. I had thought the defence had played well in both sections of the game so I was curious as to how you had observed the game

One thought I had had, over the last few games, I am wondering if having Cooper in the defence has may be blunted a bit of Llorente's game.
From the games I have watched he just looks so perfect for the Premier League but he looks like he would like to be motivating his team more but may be reluctant to as that is seen as a captain's role

From the limited amount I have watched I could definitely see him as captain of this side in the not too distant future. He is calm, assured, one of the first on the teamsheet, and leads by example. My new Lucas Radebe.

Trouble is, I can see Phillips in that role too.

I am loving the fact we are getting leaders all over the park. And seeing Bamford angry that he was subbed. Brilliant. Even our choir boy is showing passion.

9.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 15:35:35
They wear the shirt once the game starts you support them same as any other player, simple.

That’s not to say you cannot have an opinion on who and shouldn’t start, before the game I was very nervous to see Alioski start, but he again played his heart out and as Spanish states, the pass to Dallas for winner is superb.

It’s a moot point really as hard as it is to believe I don’t think Bub is swayed by this site for his team selections but agree with Ox it made it very congested for City to play ten men and actually made the result (I correctly predicted) more likely.

Did see on Instagram Cooper is ranked second in the Premier league for interceptions in the whole of the premier league, despite missing seven games. I think for bielsa he only sees matrix code and that’s why he picks certain players all the time if fit, Dallas not technically the most gifted or revered when season started, now he’s almost first name on the sheet.

10.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 16:50:58
Guess in reality we will never know.

11.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 18:09:26
The thing is we didn't waste ball at the opportunity we had now 4 seasons ago we was kicking it anywhere down pitch and that's down to Mr Bielsa and his staff on to next game mot everyone.

12.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 18:47:18
Ox that’s very negative attitude, of course we would have dear or dear. Your be in trouble.

13.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 20:04:39
Class, even Bielsa has an opinion on who should start. Even I don't always agree.

14.) 12 Apr 2021
12 Apr 2021 20:44:45
Lost me Leo?

15.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 14:55:09
"That’s not to say you cannot have an opinion on who and shouldn’t start, "
I was agreeing that Everybody has an opinion and a right to voice it. Even the Big Man has his opinion which (according to me) is not always the right one. Sometimes his even works better than mine!