Chelsea 2 - 0 Portsmouth
werner(Neymar), Mbappe(Werner)

Liverpool 0 - 2 Arsenal
Aubameyang(Isco), Brandt(Isco)

Chelsea v Newcastle
Arsenal v Southampton
Bournemouth v Man City
Norwich v Tottenham

Chelsea vs Newcastle

2 very strong sides, as both managers are going for some silverware, Chelsea’s backline having the edge in experience through the middle, but Newcastle having the better wing-backs, Midfield is an interesting battle and one that I think the experience and know-how of Kroos could turn in Newcastles favour, Mbappe is the pick of the front-line but I think the collective strength if Newcastles is marginally better.

Fruity – D/A/D

Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle

Jota (podence)


Sheff Utd vs Arsenal
Two more strong sides, another well balanced game similar personnel and identical formations, I can see Welshy’s front four causing more carnage for Jet’s defence than the other way round, Arsenal hold the midfield tho, decent match up this

Fruity – H/D/D

Sheff Utd 1-0 Arsenal

Suarez (James)

-----
Man City vs Southampton
Really strong city side, a really powerful spine, hard to remember Tielemans is still 23 he’s been about forever, Saints went strong too but I just they we’re up against it a bit today and Rashford would get too isolated to make the impact Nadz would need.

Fruity – H/H/A
Man City 2-1 Saints
Lukaku x2 (Diaby, Son)

Rashford (Lo Celso)

Goals
2 -
Lukaku
1 -
R.Leao
Asensio
Lacazette
Benzema
Felix
Malen
Ings
Aubameyang
Rashford
Greenwood
F.Torres
Nunez
Brooks
Mertens
Ronaldo
Sane

Assists -
1 -
TAA
Foden
Jesus
Talles
Grealish
Doku
Odegaard
Pulisic
Gnabry
Zielisnki
Mbappe
Pogba
O.Dembele
Reus
James.R
Jota
Eriksen
Barella

Goals
4 -
Lukaku

2 -
J.Felix
Rashford
Sane
Lautaro

1 -
R.Leao
Asensio
Lacazette
Benzema
Malen
Ings
Aubameyang
Greenwood
F.Torres
Jota
Nunez
Brooks
Mertens
Ronaldo
Grealish
Griezmann
Kane
Suarez
Pedro


Assists -
2 -
Foden
Doku
James.R
de Bruyne

1 -
TAA
Jesus
Talles
Grealish
Odegaard
Pulisic
Gnabry
Zielisnki
Mbappe
Pogba
O.Dembele
Reus

M.Diaby
Son
Los
Lo Celso
Antony
R.James
Jota
Eriksen
Barella

Portsmouth 1-2 Spurs
It’s a brave new world for Pompey and I definitely know a sweeper system when I see it!! However, debuts don’t come much harder than this. In terms of Spurs, they haven’t had the results this season so far that they could have expected, so potentially this could be the start of a good run.
Spins: Pompey, Spurs, Spurs

Goals:
Grealish (Doku)
Sane (de Bruyne), Griezmann (de Bruyne)
MOTM: de Bruyne

Leeds 1-0 Wolves

Boo should know by now that what I take with one hand I give away with the other!! Wolves were the better side today against an experimental Leeds team. So, for Wolves, it was one of those days…. But for Leeds, again a team who have not received much lady luck this season a genuinely great result.
Spins: Leeds, Wolves, Leeds

Goals:
Kane (Foden)
MOTM: Foden

Leicester 3-1 Bournemouth

Playing Leicester is always going to be difficult for any of us mere mortals. On paper this was a Leicester win, and that’s how it turned out. On a side note, I can’t believe I sent Botman back a few months ago another cracking young player snapped up by LC.
Spins: Draw/Leicester/Leicester

Goals:
Lautaro (Felix), Felix, Lautaro (James)
Pedro (Antony)
MOTM: Felix

Spurs 1-0 Leeds

Credit to Leeds here as Tottenham are such a genuinely fearsome machine, so to run them so close on the scoreline is very credible imo.

Spins: Spurs/Leeds/Spurs

Goal: Sancho (de Bruyne)
Motm: Casemiro


Portsmouth 1-2 Leicester

Nothing in this game on the day with two managers renowned for their tactical prowess locking horns. Leicester will always be a difficult task but imo Portsmouth came as close as any against them. Tino has played Spurs and Leicester in his first two games and ran both close, first points can't be far away.

Spins: Leicester/Portsmouth/Leicester

Goals:
Portsmouth: Ronaldo (Grealish)
Leicester: Osimhen x 2 (Cunha, Gilmour)
Motm: Grealish

Wolves 0-1 Bournemouth

There's a definitive ruling when I do results that only one of Boo's teams can win a week!! 😂 in seriousness Wolves are a strong outfit, whilst Bournemouth are underrated and LC is as tactically astute as any 👍

Spins: Bournemouth/Wolves/Bournemouth

Goal: Gabriel (Zaracho)
Motm: Gabriel

Group B

Newcastle vs Sheff Utd

___________Alisson
Trent____Rhys___Car___Robbo
____________Kroos
________Alberto___Curtis
Salah______Ings________Podence

Vs

Dubravka
Lamptey, T. Silva, Wood, Cucurella
Höjbjerg, Koopmeiners
Bale, James, Reus
Suárez

Couple of things that instantly stood out for me, the pure pace that Newcastle have out-wide is a real threat, and if they turn the blades defence then they’ll cause a sh!t tonne of problems…the other thing that struck me was how inexperienced that back-line was of Newcastle’s I know Car plays in France but Rhys and Car vs effectively Suarez and James could be painful. I may have read Ludy’s tactics wrong but in his attempt to play a high line he may just be opening himself up too much. Both really good tactis Welshy playing 2 holding mids, Ludy getting his CM’s and wingers to drift but also getting Ings to drop off too, means this could be a congested midfield battle.

Fruity – A/H/H

Newcastle 2-1 Sheff Utd
Salah x2 (Ings,Podence)
Suarez (James)
--



Chelsea vs City
, -------------------------- Remiro ---------------------------

Bissaka ------- Manolas ------- van Dijk ------- Mendes

-------- C.Tolisso ---- B.Kamara ---- F.de Jong --------

- Havertz ----------- Greenwood ------------- Neymar –

Vs

———————————- Lloris
Tomiyasu — Koulibaly — Godfrey — B.Williams
Dembele — Tielemans — Guendouzi — Pogba
——————————— Son.H-M
————————————Lukaku

Fan’s side has less worldies than it used to but it has a nice balance to it, I like the midfield 3 and I can see him getting some joy down City’s left flank. Rof always has good tactics and thinks things many over-look, I like the idea of the back 4 being narrow dependant on which side the threat comes (nice touch) I just think that left flank is a weakness but yeno all sides have a “weaker” point.

Fruity H/D/H

Chelsea 2-0 City
Neymar ( Havertz)
Greenwood (Bissaka)

Arsenal vs Southampton

bit of a one sided fixture this, Saints went through the gunners like a dodgy curry, Arsenal had no answers to the questions posed by Nadz Saint's team.

Arsenal 0-2 Southampton

Pulisic (lo Celso)
Isak (valverde)

Goals
4 -
Lukaku

2 -
J.Felix
Rashford
Sane
Lautaro
Ronaldo
Osimhen
Salah
Suarez
Greenwood

1 -
R.Leao
Asensio
Gabriel
Lacazette
Benzema
Malen
Ings
Aubameyang
F.Torres
Jota
Nunez
Brooks
Mertens
Grealish
Griezmann
Kane
Pedro
Sancho
Neymar
Pulisic
Isak

Assists -
3 -
de Bruyne
James.R

2 -
Foden
Doku
Grealish
Lo Celso

1 -
TAA
Jesus
Talles
Cunha
Bissaka
Gilmour
Ings
Podence
Odegaard
Pulisic
Gnabry
Zielisnki
Mbappe
Pogba
O.Dembele
Reus
Zarracho
M.Diaby
Son
Los
Valverde
Antony
R.James
Jota
Eriksen
Barella
Havertz

Leicester 2-2 Spurs

Spins: Draw/Draw/Spurs

What played out here was an exceptionally close match as I think everyone would expect and whilst both teams were in favourable positions in the group going into this match, I did appreciate the respect they have shown to each other in terms of their lineups.

Goals:
Lautaro (Felix), Sterling (Felix)
Sancho (de Bruyne), Griezmann (Sane)
Motm: Neves



Bournemouth 2-1 Leeds

Spins - Bournemouth/Leeds/Bournemouth

Another very close match here and this could have genuinely gone either way today. Leeds are mixing up their tactics nicely at the moment and starting to more than catch the eye, whilst an under-the- radar Bournemouth are seeing their own renaissance with back to back wins achieved.

Goals
Núñez - Pen, Botman (Antony)
Kane (Chiesa)
Motm: Guimarães

Wolves 0-0 Portsmouth

Spins - Wolves/Pompey/Draw

Portsmouth's tactics appeared a little rushed this week (loved the Kyle Walker quote tho!) and I'm aware there could be genuine circumstances for that. However, with less depth than usual and no subs for Pompey, Wolves went into the randomiser as strong favourites but as with the entire cup for Wolves the randomiser just will not give them a win. Pompey having previously ran Spurs and Leicester so close on merit, did luck in more here but will be pleased to be off the mark regardless.

Motm: Bennacer

Man City vs Newcastle

—————————— H.Lloris
Hakimi —— Koulibaly — Tapsoba — Digne
—————— Tielemans — Guendouzi
——————————— Pogba
Joao Pedro ———————————— M.Diaby
——————————— Lukaku

Vs

____________Chesney
Calabria____Rhys___Carlos___Besenbaini
___________Tonali
Kulu___Silva___Curtis___Jota
____________Gomez

I like this game, Man City with the stronger defence, Newcastle flooding the final third to gain position higher up can work but it also makes it really congested at times. Whilst I think Newcastle are more than capable of unlocking the tightest of defences with the intricate play Ludy expects from them…I think the physicality of City could over-run the central area, but regardless a pretty good game.
Fruity – D/A/H

City 1-1 Newcastle
Lukaku (Diaby)
Gomez (Silva)


Southampton vs Sheffield United
--------------------------------------Onana-----------------------
Couto-----------Upamecano-----------Dias----------Ait-Nouri
----------------------Lo Celso--------Camavinga-------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wirtz--------------------------Reinier-----------------------Pulisic
----------------------------------Rashford-----

Vs

Dubravka
Lamptey, T. Silva, Wood, Cucurella
Gallagher, Höjbjerg
Bale, James, Verschaeren
Suárez

I like Nadz’s team I like the lay-out and I think his game plan of holding a deep line early doors to stop Welshy’s fab four scoring early is a good one Lo celso being a bit of everything works well in the deeper role to. I don’t know a lot about Wirtz or Reiner but from what I read they’re highly rated, and with Rasher and Pulisic there’s deffo goals.

Welshy’s side has that lovely blend of youth and experience, his tactics read well as always and that front-four is deadly (I know nothing about the young Belgian) but the other components are top top quality.

Fruity – H/H/A

Saints 2-1 Blades
Rashford (Pulisic)
Pulisic (No assist)

Suarez (James)


Arsenal vs Chelsea

Walkover -

Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
Pellegrini (Locatelli)
Locatelli (De Jong)
Reply | Add Commen

Goals
5 -
Lukaku

3 -
Lautaro
Rashford
Suarez

2 -
J.Felix
Sane
Ronaldo
Osimhen
Salah
Greenwood
Sancho
Griezmann
Nunez
Kane
Pulisic

1 -
R.Leao
Botman
Asensio
Gabriel
Lacazette
Pellegrini
Locatelli
Benzema
Sterling
Malen
Ings
Aubameyang
F.Torres
Jota
Brooks
Mertens
Grealish
Pedro
Neymar
Isak
Gomez

Assists -
5 -
de Bruyne

4 -
James.R

3 -

2 -
Foden
Doku
Grealish
Lo Celso
Pulisic
M.Diaby
Antony
J.Felix

1 -
TAA
Jesus
Talles
D.Silva
Cunha
Bissaka
Gilmour
Ings
Podence
Odegaard
Gnabry
Zielisnki
Mbappe
Pogba
O.Dembele
Reus
Zarracho
Son
Los
Valverde
R.James
Jota
Eriksen
Barella
Havertz
de Jong
Sane
Locatelli
Chiesa

Spurs 2-1 Bournemouth

Spins - Bournemouth/Spurs/Spurs

This was the late late show for Spurs as their exceptionally powerful substitutions struck with the clock running out and with Bournemouth one goal to the good up.

Up until then it had been a close affair, but when Spurs big guns where let out, Bournemouth's hopes of 3 wins on the bounce faded.

Goals:
Sancho (de Bruyne), de Bruyne
Núñez (Talles)
Motm - de Bruyne


Leicester 2-1 Wolves

Spins - Leicester/Wolves/Leicester

Putting asides this result, I know that Wolves have been the most unlucky team in the League Cup this season. Never outclassed yet zero good fortune. Leicester of course were a very strong opposition. Felix in particular in fine form.

Goals:
Mount (Felix), Felix (no assist)
Ibrahimovic (Dybala)
Motm - Felix

Leeds 0-0 Portsmouth

Spins - Leeds/Draw/Portsmouth

Two teams not afraid to mix up their tactics here and it was an interesting 0-0 draw which was all Portsmouth needed to squeeze through to the quarters at the expense of their rivals. Portsmouth made that midfield area excessively overcrowded and to that extent their plan worked. I'll also give much credit to Leeds too though as the tactics were as in recent weeks exceptionally well thought out and the players fitted the tactics. Both teams were capable of getting to the quarters but it's Pompey who go through on goals scored.

Motm - Partey

Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City

Spins - Chelsea, City, Chelsea

Always a difficult ask for anyone to take points away to Chelsea, but Manchester City will be happy to pick up what I assume counts as an away goal.

Goals:
van Dijk (de Jong), Mbappe
Lukaku (Digne)
Motm: Mbappe

Portsmouth 2-1 Tottenham

Spurs are a mighty team, but away to the tactically astute Portsmouth this was a definite tester.

First defeat of the cup for Spurs, whilst Portsmouth are putting a run together deep into the competition.

Spurs at home in the second leg will be exceptionally powerful so this tie has plenty still to run.

Goals
Jiminez (Icardi), Ronaldo
Griezmann (Hazard)
Motm: Coady

Man City 1-3 Chelsea (2-5 on agg.)

Spins - Chelsea, Chelsea, Draw

Following City's 3-0 win in the quarter finals they now find themselves on the other end. With home advantage, City went in with every genuine chance of getting through to the final, but Chelsea were as always a quality opponent. Maybe a two goal gap flatters away from home, but with that front line they are always capable.

Goals:
Son (Digne)
Haaland (Neymar), Neymar, Mbappe (de Jong)
Motm: van Dijk



Spurs 2-1 Portsmouth (3-3 on agg.)

Spins - Portsmouth, Spurs, Spurs

Pens
Portsmouth won the toss and went first
Portsmouth 1XX1X 11
Spurs 1XXX1 1X

Portsmouth win 4-3 on penalties

Spurs at home had the armoury to win outright on the night. Pompey have been a breath of fresh air tactical wise and an intriguing match-up climaxed in the tension of sudden-death penalties.

Goals
Griezmann (Reguilon), Sane (de Bruyne)
Jiminez (Sanches)
Motm - Reguilon

Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth

Spins - Portsmouth, Chelsea, Chelsea

Tactically Tino has been a breath of fresh air and this looks like it may have inspired Chelsea to raise their game in this final.

Despite the attacking abilities of both teams, the midfield area was excessively crowded at times and it always looked like there would never be more than one goal in it.

Goal: Mbappe (de Jong)
Motm: Coady

Goals
6 -
Lukaku
4 -
Griezmann

3 -
Mbappe
Lautaro
Rashford
Suarez
Sancho
Nunez
J.Felix
Ronaldo
Sane


2 -
Osimhen
Salah
Greenwood
Kane
Pulisic
Neymar

1 -

van Dijk
R.Leao
Botman
Asensio
Gabriel
Lacazette
Pellegrini
Locatelli
Benzema
Sterling
Malen
Ings
Aubameyang
F.Torres
Jota
Brooks
Mertens
Grealish
Pedro
Isak
Gomez
de Bruyne
Mount
Zlatan
Son
Haaland

Assists -
7 -
de Bruyne

4 -
James.R
de Jong

3 -
J.Felix

2 -
Foden
Doku
Grealish
Lo Celso
Pulisic
M.Diaby
Antony



1 -
TAA
Jesus
Talles
D.Silva
Cunha
Bissaka
Gilmour
Ings
Podence
Odegaard
Gnabry
Zielisnki
Mbappe
Pogba
O.Dembele
Reus
Zarracho
Son
Los
Valverde
R.James
Jota
Eriksen
Barella
Havertz

Sane
Locatelli
Chiesa

FA Cup

Spurs vs Chelsea

------------------- Courtois --------------------
Justin --- M.De Ligt --- Ramos --- F.Mendy
----------- Casemiro --- McKennie ----------
J.Sancho ------- E.Hazard ---------- L.Sane
---------------- A.Griezmann -----------------
Vs
---------------------------- Meslier ---------------------------
Mazraoui ------ S.de Vrij ------ van Dijk ------ JordiAlba
---------------- F. de Jong ------ B.Kamara ----------------
F.Torres ----------------- Neymar ---------------- A.Gouiri
---------------------------- Haaland ---------------------------
I liked Tab’s tactics and I agree about Justin, I also like the use of the word bamboozling. Fans tactics are tried and tested and have served him well over the years, I like the use of Neymar as the #10 he could do some damage there. But and this is only my opinion you say you want to be solely possession football but I don’t feel that side or set-up gives you the possession heavy team you want.
Two sides in a similar layout. Midfield pivots are closely balanced with neither having a definitive edge, centre backs also of a similar standard. But I think Spurs have the better front four especially in the wider areas.
Spurs attack hurts Chelsea’s defence more than the other way round in what is a tight game.

Spurs 2-1 Chelsea
Hazard (Sancho) Griezmann (Sane)
Haaland (Neymar)

Newcastle vs Arsenal

___________Chesney
Cash____Zouma___Hermoso___Shaw
____________Fabinho
________Llorente___Alberto
Kulu______Ings_______Oyarzabal

Vs

------------------ B. Leno
Pereira --- Kounde -- Gabriel --- Tierney
----------------- N. Kante
----------- Coutinho --- Koke
B. Saka ---------------------------- H. Barnes
----------------- S. Gnabry
Ludy puts his tree back up the loft and goes 4-3-3. I don’t know what this means “Our wide forwards are space investigators” but I kinda like it. Fabinho in the holding role is a good use of his skillset and Ings is criminally under-rated
Jet looking to get back to winning ways I like the side, I did however, forget that Coutinho still played football, as streaky a player as you’ll ever find. Kante and Koke are solid players that won’t let you down in the middle, bags of pace and trickery up-top and a solid defence.
Draw would be a fair result here but as that can’t happen lets see what the fruity does

Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Gnabry (Barnes)


Southampton vs Man City
--------------------------------------Onana-----------------------
----------Upamecano----------Dias---------Fofana---------------------
---------------------------------------Ndidi------------------------------------
-----------------------Valverde-----------Lo Celso------------------------
Bailey------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
---------------------------Isak------------Rashford---------------------
Vs
—————————— Gulacsi
——— Godfrey — Koulibaly — Lenglet
Hakimi —— A.Witsel —— Pogba —— Digne
—— Dembele ————————— Son H-M. ——
——————————- Lukaku

I’m obviously an advocate for the lack of need for full-backs so im not gonna hate on Nadz’s side today. He gets lucky that Rof has gone 3-4-3 so the biggest wide threat comes from wing backs – I know son and Dembele go wide but LCB and RCB can cover them. Saints middle three are solid and will hold their own, Front two is decent
What I like about RoF is that his tactics always feel fresh and tailored and the switch up today shows that, Lukaku gives the attack a genuinely solid platform to build around with son and Dembele in the periphery I think Witsel and Pogba struggle today to fully impose themselves, more a case of numbers than anything else, but I do think you get a certain amount of joy out-wide as I don’t see Richarlison as being a willing runner backwards to help out, Koulibaly in the heart of the defence is a beast and Isak gets little change out of him.

Hard fought win this

Saint 0-1 City
Lukaku (Son)

Wolves vs Leeds
-------------------------- De Gea ---------------------------
--------- Romero ------ Skriniar ------ P.Torres ---------
Danilo --------- Mendes ------- Prowse --------- Sandro
-------------------------- Grealish --------------------------
------------------ A.Silva -------- R.Leao ------------------

Vs

-------------------------Neuer

--------Mukiele------Simakan------Hernandez

Castagne-------------Phillips------------Guerreiro

---------Chiesa--------Foden--------Depay

--------------------------Kane

A solid but unspectacular Wolves vs an improving leeds, both sides going with 3 at the back but that’s where the similarities end, Grealish as the #10 is a match-winner and bright spark and young Leao looks a talent but is now getting buried at Milan by a man twice his age.
Ive decided that Lubo jumping last each week is to gain the tactical advantage and tailor his formation accordingly he truly is the biesla of the league, sat there in his anorak, binoculars in hand “have opted for the 3-3-3-1 formation today, due to the opposition choosing to play two strikers in the advanced positions.” Not in the spirit of the game naughty boy
I do like the lay-out and I do think the front-four would cause some damage to the Wolves defence, But nothing I’ve seen of Phillips convinces me he’s anywhere near prem quality and how he got an England cap mystifies me, He wouldn’t handle Grealish.
Wolves 2-1 dirty Leeds
Silva (Leao) Leao (Silva)
Kane (pen after Kane dived)
Reply | Add Co

FA Cup Semi Finals

Sheffield Utd v Arsenal
Man City v Tottenham

Portsmouth vs. Man City (Cup)

I really like Portsmouth’s midfield 5 –good blend of qualities in that. The setup gives Pompey a lot centrally, but City have great quality there too. Son vs. Bellerin, as I know only too well, was an area I felt Man City could hurt Pompey. Elsewhere across the pitch there was a lot of cancelling out. I like the attacking freedom given to Ndombele and Pogba - this helped City keep the strong Pompey core from peppering the goal, pushing them back.

Despite not having the best full backs, Pompey have a very nice CB pair and GK.

For me this game would be decided on the subs. Nkunku and Benzema – combining with Lukaku, was a positive move for City where I could see something good happening. Portsmouth made the strange decision of subbing both CBs, which I’m not too sure of, to be honest.

This was a really close match up. Similar systems. No form. No home advatange. Going in, Man City have a slight advantage in the slots, mainly because of better subs.

Portsmouth 1-2 Man City
Insigne (Hysaj)
Son HM (Ndombele), Benzema (Nkunku)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
FA Cup ¼’s

Spurs vs Bournemouth
A lovely contrast to this game LC playing a settled side packed full of quality lined up in his 4-3-3 I think one holding and one B2B gives that side a good balance to it. Nice amount of pace out-wide and decent finish and a strong back-line.
Tab is like a man that’s gone mad in a black Friday sale, makes 8 (eight) changes for this game but in testament (other religious articles are available) to the strength of his squad that is still a really good side. I can’t read this “with terrific pace” without doing ‘Arry Redknapps voice in my head.
Both sides set up in similar formations, and as much as I like LC’s side man for man, overall Tab’s are just that bit stronger and it’s the cumulative additional quality that would carry the day for me in favour of Spurs, this side (or squad) will take some stopping.

Spurs 2-1 B’mouth
Morata (sane) KDB (Asensio)
Ibanez (Gonçalves)


Arsenal vs Leicester
I liked Jets switch to a 3-5-2 gives him much more stability and keeps a goal-scoring threat, nice touch putting Lozano centrally but wanting him to drift and get at the RB, I agree with CHO at RWB by the way, he looked quality against us there and really did a good job on Neto/Podence.

I liked Rof’s switch up today, I know there aren’t many fundamental differences in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 but a Rodri/Neves platform certainly allows your FB’s to bomb and does allow your front four to play the higher pressing line you mention.

The interesting element in this match-up is both defences are going man for man pretty much there’s not a lot of space to operate in between the lines, Rof playing a high defensive line against the pace that Jet has at his disposal is risky
I called this a draw but it’s the cup so there are no draw slots
Arsenal 3-2 Leicester
Auba (CHO) Lozano (Auba) Cavani (Gundogan)
Martinez (Bruno) Sterling (Mane)


Wolves vs Sheffield Utd

Another side going with a 3-5-2 and it probably brings the best out of this Wolves side, a strong core that will hold its own, Silva looks a good pick up as he’s really found his scoring boots in Germany, Soucek and Prowse are functional if not exciting but they won’t let you down, Jack as the 10 will do well for you and pull the strings. Wing-backs are good, very good and keeps is looking one of the top 10 in the prem this season.
Welshy goes with an attacking 4-2-3-1, the midfield 2 can hold their own, and that fluid 3 Am’s can really cause damage and of course Suarez is still banging them in.
Nice game this
Wolves 1-2 Sheff Utd
Silva (Grealish)
Suarez (james) Mahrez (isco)

FA Cup Semi Finals

Sheffield Utd vs Arsenal

----------------------Lopes
Lamptey, Luiz Felipe, Kempf, Grimaldo
-------------Kovacic, Gallagher
---Mahrez-------James-------------Isco
----------------------Suárez

Vs

-------------------- de Gea ---------------------
Mukiele --- Kounde --- Gabriel --- Tierney
----------------- Fernandinho -----------------
----------- T.Partey --- Gundogan -----------
Lozano ------- Calvert-Lewin ------ Gnabry

No form or home advantage making this a straight fight between the welsh wonderkid and the man who apparently is the lowest rank of coal but still classed as a gemstone.
Welshy – I like the team a lot, Kempf is a strange one, he’s been the next big thing now for about 6 years but I do rate him. Gallagher is a work in progress but I can’t get passed him only using one N in Connor and also he’s at Albion so…. Looks a good prospect though the rest of the side though is very good, I’ve always rated Isco and Suarez proves he’s adding bite to your attack with 18 league goals in 24 games this season. Brooks coming on at 75 mins is obviously the right choice to make.
Jet – I like what your doing with the side even if it is a bit too “arsenaly” I guess it max’s out team chemistry though, jury is still out on DCL but he’s going great guns this season and certainly adds some height to your team of midgets I feel you do well in the transitions and use of the 3rd man in midfield does help the 2-3-3-2 switch to 4-1-4-1 wingers are quick enough to drop back into banks of 4 but Welshy’s side are no slouches either so will get some joy on the counter.

DDG – is the perfect subject of Sports gaming biggest debate – do we mark him on form or past glories? Hazard I cited as over-rated by some but for me DDG’s fall from grace is just as sharp, lost his shirt to Henderson at united, for what it’s worth I think DDG is quality and has saved united more than he’s cost them.


all in all a good game, can see both sides attacks getting at their opposing defences.

Fruity says – A/A/H

Sheffield Utd 2-3 Arsenal
Suarez x2 (James/Brooks)
DCL x2 (Lozano/Gnabry) Saka (Sabitzer)

MOTM – Suarez


-----

Man City vs Spurs

—————————— Lloris
Hakimi — Koulibaly — Tapsoba — Gaya
————————— Tielemans
————— Ndombele —— Pogba
Dembele ——————————— Son Heung-M
—————————— Lukaku

Vs

---------------- Ter Stegen -----------------
Pavard --- De Ligt --- Torres --- Reguilon
---------- Casemiro --- De Bruyne --------
J.Sancho ---- A.Griezmann ---- E.Hazard
------------------ T.Werner ------------------

RoF picks a bloomin strong side for the semi then hands the reigns over to fan, if they go all the way are our fiery scotsmen gonna have to lift the trophy together? Is Rof gonna be a weekend cup holder and have custody Saturdays and Sundays?

Rofan (cute little pet name like Jedward) I like the set-up…pace and power in abundance but its just too French for me Son needs to be liberated and Portsmouth would offer him refuge.
There’s no glaring weaknesses making it hard to critique the side
TAB – you’ve come so far and the double is there to be touched but you are Spurs and can art imitate life? I really like your side and to a man they’d pretty much walk into any other XI in the league. Hazard the man of glass is fully showing signs of cracking now though, but Like DDG in the other semi, his past performance was at such a peak he still carries weight a while longer. I like your defence, Torres is Spain’s greatest ever left-footed CB. The midfield is top quality, Casemiro as the muscle and KDB influencing the game from deep – up against that City trident would be a battle though for anyone.
Front-four is quality and Werner even allowing for the settling period at Chelsea is still a top striker

Really good game this with both sides going for it

Oh “to face the beast that is Lukaku up top, a player used to ragdolling his opposition we match power with power and stick De Ligt aka the son of Thor on him” made me chuckle in my office more than an “Excel spreadsheet” should

Fruity said A/H/A
Man City 1-2 Spurs
Lukaku (son)
Griezmann (KDB) Werner (Sancho)

League Cup

18 Man Squad
5 U21s in Squad
2 On the pitch at all times
1 U19 in squad

Group A
Round 1
Wolves v Chelsea
Man Utd v Watford

Round 2
Chelsea v Watford
Wolves v Man Utd

Round 3
Man Utd v Chelsea
Watford v Wolves

Round 4
Chelsea v Man Utd
Wolves v Watford

Round 5
Watford v Chelsea
Man Utd v Wolves

Round 6
Chelsea v Wolves
Watford v Man Utd

Group B

Round 1
Brentford v Man City
Leeds v Arsenal

Round 2
Man City v Arsenal
Brentford v Leeds

Round 3
Leeds v Man City
Arsenal v Brentford

Round 4
Man City v Leeds
Brentford v Arsenal

Round 5
Arsenal v Man City
Leeds v Brentford

Round 6
Man City v Brentford
Arsenal v Leeds

Group C

Round 1
Leicester v Liverpool
Newcastle v Tottenham

Round 2
Liverpool v Tottenham
Leicester v Newcastle

Round 3
Newcastle v Liverpool
Tottenham v Leicester

Round 4
Liverpool v Newcastle
Leicester v Tottenham

Round 5
Tottenham v Liverpool
Newcastle v Leicester

Round 6
Liverpool v Leicester
Tottenham v Newcastle