Scrubs up for the cup! (A match thread)

What is the first choice midfield pairing behind MGW? Sangare (6) and Anderson (8)? Also, I guess one of Anderson/Jota (Sosa?) can be a back up to MGW?

I’m having a downer on Taiwo even though I love the guy. In addition to the WPES* he had two or three decent chances and looked unconvincing. There was no way he was scoring that penalty. So I’m hoping for a new arrival up front (or for him to get back to his previous form)

The other thing is CB: after the first five minutes, I thought Boly and Omi did pretty well (kept Isak pretty quiet) so are good back ups to Murillo and Milenkovic.

*Worst Penalty Ever Seen

In the absence of Danilo, I think you are right about the midfield pairing - maybe Yates (or Bove?) when we are trying to spoil. I think most of the wingers can play as as a 10 (Elanga played there when he came on last night), although Anderson is probably the next best.

Taiwo just needs to get up to speed and get a few of those lucky goals. He's never looked like a footballer.

Wee Carlos has definite cult hero potential.

Vague thoughts on last night:

1. Jota could push MGW for a starting role in the No.10 position. Lively, tricky, and looks like he can score a goal.
2. Anderson looked a bit disappointing. I'm not convinced.
3. Taiwo looks fucked. We need another striker. Hopefully a lucky goal gets him going again, as he looks way of at the moment.
4. Omabama was good. Thought he tried to come out with the ball a bit too much, maybe looking to impress?
5. Abbott isn't ready for the first team
6. Sosa was good ... Especially set pieces ... But think he'll need time to adapt. Not ready for the first team yet IMHO.
7. Taiwo was so clearly going to miss than penalty. Where were Dom and Moreno? Think they should have been taking them.
8. Newcastle put out a much stronger team than us ... And were lucky to win. Howe will be gone by Xmas.
9. Annoying Willock got injured in the first half. They were better once Bruno was on. Who, coincidentally, I think is a right cock.
10. Miguel decent. If he hadn't parried that shot in the first minute, I think we might be calling for him to start on Saturday, as the rest of the game he was very good.

I remain a big fan of Domínguez, who often isn't included in these conversations. There were times last year when he seemed our most consistent midfielder.

Played well last night, too, I thought.

For those without access to the Athletic, Yates was due to start last night but pulled out due to illness. Anderson took his place. Nuno hopes Yates will be ok for Wolves match and also expects Danilo to be back in training in December following a success operation earlier this week.

Beyond a certain threshold. If your keeper is so bad at it that he gives the other team possession in the final third and they score every third kick, or if he's such a liability his defenders won't pass the ball back to him when they are being pressed it is a big problem, as last year demonstrated.

Can you tell me what Sels has done wrong in the first two games to justify dropping him?

It's not school sports day, if the new guy is better get him in.

And we're judging Sels on his 18 games, not just the last two. (I'd stick for the time being anyway.)

Goalies are a bit different though, it's not just their ability between the sticks but also how well they're meshed with their defence. If we're mixing things up there then a change of keeper might be fine but largely I'm with Mus, Sels has been pretty decent through the first two games and for now I'd be inclined to stick with him and let Miguel get a bit more used to the English game out of the spotlight.

Nothing really, but I think Miguel might be better? I'm not saying we should anyway. Was just musing.

I'm having no doubts about Anderson. Looks quite the player. Does standing in the right place and passing to his own team quite well.

Completely agreed. He looks a decent player.

He does, but he doesn't seem to be very good at running. He looks like a player entirely dependent upon his ability to see or anticipate a run and play the right pass, rather than having an option to take an opponent on. Which is fine, but will mean he's always going to be a less useful player in the role than Morgan who can do both.

He's played 2 games for us.

If you look at what he's done before he joined us at Newcastle and on his loan he's a dribbler and can certainly beat his man.