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We've got an excellent manager but we don't have a shit squad - we've got a first rate first XI and a handful of good back ups.

Hopefully just a blip!

Had today down as a loss but thought Brighton looked awful. Even their goal was down to poor defending (and a deflection) rather than good play. So frustrating we couldn't take advantage. Easy to say but Gordon on earlier wins us that game I think. They were there for the taking.

So many times we got to the byline today and I thought we should have just hit it across goal but we either pulled it back or floated it to the back post. Think Murphy did it the most first half and then Barnes right after kick off in second half.

Please please please beat these wankers

insh’allah

It is kind of insane that a defensive core of Pope/Dubravka, Schar and Burn is fighting for Champions League spots, mind. And then Murphy on the right. Puts perspective on things a bit.

There definitely is an issue re ball retention given the players available. I’m confident that it’s an issue that Howe will address in the summer - I think some of it is coming from an evolution in our style of play

Thought he was back to being useless today. I love him to bits but when he’s not on it he’s absolutely shite

Wasn’t our worst player, needs more gametime. I get that our fans need someone to blame though.

Since the last Brighton game 2 months ago… Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 1 Trophies 1 Realistically he’s doing as well as he can, maybe more so considering he was very ill in hospital for some of that. Doubting him just makes you look exceptionally stupid.

Our squad is a bit shit. Our manager is a bit world class.

That defending for Brentford's 4th. Christ

We just want a team that tries! But also that doesn't fail to get 3 points every time as well

Haven't seen anyone questioning Eddie, but that's because I haven't been looking. Crazy if people are getting that upset by today's result. It's a pity, but we're a very good team with clearly the best manager out of the remaining 3 opponents we have and a huge amount still to play for - we're 1/4 on with the bookies still apparently. This is strictly not the time to panic.

That’ll be Tonali’s job.

Wonder whether the formation we used for the Arsenal home semi final is an option, playing 3 CBs with one of them specifically to man mark Palmer.

Thought he got into good positions then it fizzled. A couple nice interceptions too.

If Villa don't drop points against Bournemouth then yes I reckon they go on an win the next two. They've lucked out actually by facing Spurs and Man Utd at just the right time in their season and whilst they're both shit.

I mean he's not bad, but £50 million?

Forest are 4 behind with 12 points to play for though 3 of those would have to be at Chelsea's expense.

Had it going down to the wire a month back, 1 point in it. Worst of either world really, whether we qualify or not it means brutality ahead. (Didn't have Chelsea to beat Liverpool in the calculations) 5 more for Villa 8 for Forest.

Agree, I thought he was ok. One of the least of our problems (dive aside). It's a shame: a) he can't play in a 10 style role b) we're unwilling to try (possibly because of a) Him just drifting left all the time can be predictable but I guess he's trying to get himself comfortable in the side again. Hoping Chelsea give him more space to run into.

Palace we battered, they were shite. No way around it. Man U was a closer game than the score line makes out. Think they might have edged possession, shots and shot on target were about the same iirc. Don't think there was much disparity in XG either. But we were way more clinical but we certainly didn't dominate them for 90 mins like we did Palace. Surely you must remember that? I'll not include the Villa game because we were absolutely abject and I wouldn't put much stock in the Palace game because they were. We're not using the ball as well as team with Trips, Schar, Bruno, Sandro, Gordon/Barnes and Isak should be doing. There's nothing polemic about that opinion. It's not heresy the way some happy clappers (not you btw) on here treat anything less than fawning praise. Just feel we don't control the ball sometimes when we need to and we can definitely struggle if a team defends deeper because we're not particularly set up for incisive passing. We very 'down the flanks' and we seem best in transition. We're leaving Isak a bit isolated as a result and he doesn't look that useful in the box on his own surrounded by defenders. He hasn't the power or the leap to make the best out of that. It's not his optimal situation. Which is fine, he's still great in situations that suit him better. But we're not engineering them enough imho. Others may view it differently and your view I will always read as it tends to be balanced and thoughtful. Others, not so much.

I’ve got full belief in Howe. But this game has become a lot trickier with Chelsea picking up confidence, form and players back from injury while we’re lost one. I just back Howe in a big game like this at home.