midds

Bang!!!

He's got to be feeling the pressure now, he's had no discernible impact on results, minimal impact on performances, same deficiencies we've seen for the last couple of years not addressed. It's a critical few weeks now, Staveley needs to nail this situation now and be decisive but it many ways she's caught between 2 stools. They took their time to appoint him (fair enough) and he's very much their choice. If he's having little or no impact on results then her decision to appoint him looks like a huge, very public mistake. If however, they're feeling that he can pull this around and they give him more time then it questions her judgement on big decisions. But if they have doubts and do nothing then they'll be criticised for not acting swiftly and correcting their mistake quickly enough. They need to get their shit in a pile and get it right, we'll know more in 2 weeks time if they manage it.

Wonder if they've got someone already lined up? He's been under a ridiculous amount of pressure for months now, if they've been sensible then they'll have been asking a few questions for weeks now, his sacking has been inevitable. Then again if they were sensible they would never have appointed him given the negative fan reaction before the ink was dry on his contract. Just a shit decision all round from all concerned, he needs to take stock and look for a new club that's a better fit for him in the summer.

Could be voided? I've had bets voided rather than lost due to early injuries.

Problem with this fucker is laziness, he's actually got ability. He generally receives the ball from one of the CBs about 20 yards inside his own half and under no pressure. He then turns and the whole game is in front of him. Problem is he's got 2 CBs, his keeper behind him so he's got 7 possible targets being marked by 10 outfield players. He always either rolls it 15 yards to one of his CBs who've split or pings it 40 yards and crosses his fingers. Not once have I seen the cunt have the bollocks to bring the ball 30 yards forward into midfield. Not once does he ever lay it off quickly then try and find a bit of space. He never gets involved at the business end of the pitch, he's perfectly happy to just coast along - predictable, safe, cowardly CM. He's up there with Colback now imo.

They crumble. They're scared of getting or giving the ball and feeling the onus to actually do something constructive with it, especially at home. They've been conditioned into just sitting deep, tracking runners, squeezing play and trying to destroy attacks. Zero thought into actually playing football and dictating games, it's been football played without the ball, 27% football and they've just about coped by and large. Now they're being asked to actually play football and be constructive and creative and they've not got a fucking clue. It's like asking a fish to run down the street. This squad has been set up and built to actively not play football, defend for 75% of the time then spring and do something off the cuff to get goals and points. Bruce was fucking winging it but the regression was gathering pace.

coming to the conclusion that he's not going to coach his way out of this mess. The only way he turns this around is if he buys his way out of it. I like him and think he's got good intentions and ideas but he's not been able to get them into operation when it matters, his players have let him down but it's all about efficiency now. Playing expansive football and being ambitious, committing players forward and "looking better" is all well and good but it needs to translate into better results sooner or later. I worry for him tbh.

Simply unable to win the big games with any kind of regularity, could be a lack of talent, lack of bottle, zero confidence, poor management and big moments and individual mistakes but it's a combination of all of the above. This relegation will sting, 90% sure it's coming soon, but it's been in the post for 18 months. We absolutely are one of the worst 3 teams in this league and if/when we go it'll be utterly deserved. Ashley and Bruce handed over a club and squad in October that's rotten to it's core and I'd be wanting a complete clearout whether we stay up or go down.

I'd crawl 10 miles over broken glass to hear her fart down a walkie talkie. Be gone.

I remain confident of charming Liz Hurley out of her knickers. That is all I know...

Defoe was on SSN earlier tonight and came across really well tbh. Bloke's been around and knows what he's talking about and seems a canny fella in all honesty, I like him, he speaks well, he's very articulate.

What I wouldn't give for an early goal to settle everyone down. Got a feeling tomorrow is going to be a roller coaster from first whistle to last.

I get the impression they're more than happy to keep him and under no pressure to sell him? Plus if there's always the chance another club gets involved to keep the price (if they choose to cash in) heading North.

I'd continue to reject every bid if I were them, the price is only going one way and the longer they string it out the more they'll get. They know it, we know it. The only way this situation is resolved is if we ask them to name a silly price then match it or he hands in a transfer request, and even then they could dig their heels in and turn down the bid. They're under no obligation to say yes because it benefits us, they hold all of the cards, we just need to decide how much we want him and either pay it or walk away but it can't go on for another week.

Weeew, settle doon Frodo

'The King' Chris Maguire ffs. Almost as bad as 'The Don' for the little spiv cunt they all were all taken in by and used to worship

Picture it. It's 22nd May 2022, 17:56. Burnley hosting Newcastle on the final day of the season. The score is tied at 3-3 going into the fifth and final minute of injury time. Burnley know a draw is enough to see them maintain the 2 point gap they hold on the visitors. Suddenly Trippier bursts down the right wing, goes to the line and stands a cross up for the onrushing Wood to dive full length and bullet a header into the Burnley net, Turf Moor erupts and Newcastle win the game and their survival with the last attack of the season

I'm sure when we all bask in the glow of our 2029 Champions League win we'll all look back and chuckle. "Here mate, remember when we spaffed £25m on Chris Wood in 2022?" Oh how we'll laugh

I mean, we're clearly fucking desperate at this stage. We're 19th. We have no fit strikers. We have 2 unfit strikers and one of them is fucking hopeless. We have a run of potentially winnable games over the next 2 months. And we've just dropped the bandit. We have no other option but to thrown money at the problem, that's the only positive thing in our favour. I think he's just a big lump who's extremely limited. I also think he needs most of the team set up to pump it in the box and eventually he'll get on the end of things and convert a few bouncing balls and that's about it. £25m is insanity but we literally have no other option but to pay maximum prices to get out of this fucking mess. I'm genuinely torn. He's pretty shit imo and vastly overpriced but we have no choice. It shouldn't have come to this but it clearly has. What a fucking club

£20m for Chris Wood is an eye-watering amount of money, it's way too much for what he brings imo. That said I think Trippier brings far more for his fee so it sort of balances out a little. I'm just trying to think that we've spent £32m for Trippier and Wood combined. It's the only thing that's helping

He's not Mr Right, he's Mr Right Now I can see why they've gone for him but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't underwhelmed. He's better than nothing I suppose, just got to hope he's fit, gets service and finishes a few chances.

Shola was arguably the most frustrating player I've ever seen. Absolute pigshit for 95% of his time here. There will be no yield in my position.

He is a bellend but tbf it's a stupid question. Christ, it's barely even a question, more of an observation. He's reacted badly to it obviously but I don't blame him in some ways.

Have his knees been distressed?

They were always going to find something wrong to rule it out. This is why VAR will never work, they'll use the technology to ensure their (sub)conscious bias wins out anyway.