We need a couple of big sales in the summer if we’re going to be able to significantly improve the squad. They have served us well, but this has to be the end of their time for some of the players. We also need to buy better again - incoming players need to be ready to hit the ground running #nufc

Really poor game management right at the end there, and such a needless challenge like that too #nufc

I have, but I think we’re hearing different things 😆

How on earth is he desperate for us to concede?

That’s part of it, but his footwork has been poor for a couple of years. Coupled with age and injuries, it’s not a good mix. I do a bit of GK coaching and it’s something I look at. Better footwork = better position to make the saves. Everything seems to have caught up with him.

Pope’s major problem is weak footwork. He can use his height/size to compensate but it’s the fundamental problem in a lot of his errors.

I really really really don’t like Liverpool #nutc

Selfishly, I would be more than happy if he wasn’t on the plane - a summer of rest would do him good. However, it would be great to see him at the WC as reward for his performances.

The fact that Osula could be an answer sums up where we are at the moment.

We need to have a plan b when plan a fails - unfortunately we don’t have the players for that at the moment. We need to recruit well in the summer (ideally also by the end of this window but that isn’t happening) #nufc

I would love Shearer to do some coaching with Woltemade #nufc

The mere mention of such a trip

This signing has never made sense to me in the way that Mbuemo would have done. Given it was obvious early that that transfer was never going to happen, I’m surprised we didn’t go for someone in the same mould - Elanga isn’t that.

If he’s coming, it has to be faster - slide and lead with his hands. Otherwise he has to stay and let Thiaw deal with it. The x block/ split is probably worst option in that scenario.

He drops way too deep too which doesn’t help

We need two new, first choice and someone to push - potentially two windows if Pope can cope with being 2nd choice/ cup keeper for a season.

Not really - its business as usual for this season, the expectation now unfortunately.

The other issue with this being if we lose the ball, one pass cuts out the entire midfield and there’s a lot of pressure on the defence

Woltemade plays way too deep - they really need to be on him to get into the box to stretch the play #nufc

They’ll stop crossing now he’s come off…

We need some new signings in early January to lift the mood. Ideally someone with a bit of creative nous that can help us to have a plan b.

whoever it is though, we’ll need to have some patience with - rather than Pope would have saved that, Ramsdale would have passed that to feet. We’ll have to take them on merit, but remember that they will be coached to use their attributes - i.e come for crosses/ not, play out from the back/ hoof it

yesterday is luck, hits Ramsdale differently and it stays out. Not much he can do about that. However, we’re definitely missing Pope on crosses into the box. Agree that we need a new keeper who can command the box, be a decent shot stopper and be comfortable with the ball at feet…

Pope’s shot stopping isn’t world class, it’s very good but his height compensates for a lack of movement with his feet - he’s slowly getting worse with this, see the near post goal conceded a couple of weeks ago as an example. Second goal yesterday is luck…

This game was crying out for wissa and pace up front for the last 10/15 minutes, press them higher

My Wissa conspiracy is that they don’t want him going to AFCON so are taking a bit longer with him

I had zero clue Freddie Woodman had landed at Liverpool…

Personally would have gone Ramsdale instead of Pope

I’m sure Marseille did this when we played them years ago.

This is a tremendous thread from @editkev.football - really interesting reading.