midds

2 or 3 would have helped like It is what it is, I just think we need to learn how to win and shut games down when it gets to just a couple of minutes to play. Not sure it's all about ability when there's 93+ mins on the clock and you're hanging on away from home. Yeah, fresh legs and options are nice but it's about making good decisions and seeing it out and atm we don't seem to be capable of doing that, we need to improve on that asap

Again, I agree but I still think they've got something we still lack in their squad and that's the nous to see games out. This isn't a pop at Howe, he's doing brilliantly given the circumstances, but it's something lacking in the club. It's the killer instinct and it only comes with experience, we saw the same thing in the Final in Feb, some players have it and a lot don't. We don't have any of it at all and we need to get it to get to the next level. I know injuries are killing us this season but even so, we need to get better at seeing games like tonight out

That's part of it absolutely, I know we're down to the bare bones and his hand are tied, I accept that 100%. But at some point you need to rely on the players to get over the line and see it through. It's a club issue as we've never had a squad full of 'winners' before. A squad that can cope mentally and physically with what is needed in order to shut games down like we've seen from the likes of Dortmund this season. They knew exactly what to do to see out 2 wins from 2 against us because they had that nous and experience that we're lacking in the squad. It'll come in time I'm sure but right now we've become soft as shit again. 2 wins away all season and it's nearly Christmas

I'm not blaming Howe at all, he's doing a remarkable job under massive stresses but to get so close so often and throw it away yet again is infuriating. I know I'm venting but we're so close to being very good but we still can't see tight games out like tonight. A top team wins that 1-0 and moves on - we aren't there yet and it's a mentality issue imo.

Absolutely, for 92 mins we held them. Now they're in the hat and we're out though. It's frustrating as fuck and i'm annoyed but it's all because it's so self-inflicted. Yet again

I've argued the same thing myself tbh but at some point you need to point the finger at the players, tonight it's Trippier again, and just ask them why they can't see out the result with 90 seconds to go yet again. It's not a one-off now.

We still lack that killer ability to just snuff games out and see results through. We're still soft as fucking shite and gifting teams opportunities they don't deserve. The next step for Howe and this lot is to be good enough to take the lead, defend like Trojans and see the 90 mins out because we clearly can't do that this season. The PSG one was a stitch-up but we've thrown it away several times and now we're out of Europe and the LC as a result. Mental mistakes costing the team. We're not far away, going from relegation to Europe is one thing but getting that 'winner's mentality' has to be the next step. Bring back the shithousing, we've become too nice to play against, all the people we upset with it last season have changed the way we play, fuck them, get back to shithousing results in the last 10 minutes, fuck what people think, couldn't give a fuck how much they hate us.

Thrown it away again. Out of Europe completely and out of the League Cup because of stupid mental mistakes. Masters of our own downfall, gifting teams the chance to step in and take advantage. Still soft as puppy shit and another failure to see a game out, I know they're running on fumes and tired but the same thing is happening a bit too often tbh

Christ, half time feels like it was last week ffs

You know what I'd love? Extra time

That one's for Dan Ashworth

Yet to read a single positive reaction or anecdote about this bloke from anyone Every single thing I've read or heard about him is that he's an utter twat and how he's pissed off everyone he's dealt with and failed on the park too.

Hewtee

I think they've just used football as a common theme and managed to bring together loads of horrible racist cunts from all over the country together in 1 place tbh

Agree. Can't underestimate that moving Grealish on for £100m eased a lot of their FFP concerns too. Throw in a brilliant manager and system and a board willing to back him in the market and you've got a hell of a club to try and compete with

I would but he's played like this for the last 3 or 4 years. Don't get me wrong I appreciate his effort, he runs his bollocks off and works hard.......but that's not enough any more. When you're scrambling around trying to get 40 points a season it's admirable, when you're aiming for top 6 then it's just not good enough. His purple patch last October is very much the exception to the rule

Probably the most frustrating player to watch since Shola. I love his workrate and attitude, he grafts his bollocks off but all of that, and more, is cancelled out by his complete lack of ability in the final third. He has his moments and has scored some excellent and important goals but by christ he's got me kicking the sofa across the living room watching him fuck up attack after attack after attack. It's harsh I know

Difficult to remember he's still only 17 given the way he's slotted straight into the team and squad. He's been the unexpected bonus of the injury crisis and imo he's already leapfrogged Anderson and maybe even Longstaff too. Already looks a proper player and it's scary to think where he'll be as a player in 4 or 5 years time. It's right that his minutes are managed, his individual development needs to be increased and it's right that he gets breaks so he can absorb what's happening mentally and physically. He's already mint and going to get even better

At this point in time I think it's only fair that I hold my hands up and admit I got it completely wrong about Gordon. 12 months ago when he signed I was a bit bewildered and pissed off as I'd seen nothing to warrant spending so much cash on him, he looked like a petulant, edgy and immature little cunt tbh in an Everton shirt and thought the money could and should have been spent far more wisely at the time. Fast forward to now and it's clear why Howe et al went for him. He's bright and full of energy, has fantastic pace and an eye for goal or a killer pass. He's become invaluable to us now. I never saw it at all at Everton but I'm seeing it each week now. He's fucking brilliant Always good to hold your hands up when you've got it wrong

It's like no other football 'tackle' I've ever seen since the Schumacher/Battiston challenge in 82. There's not even a benchmark for shit like that as it was such a mental challenge

Looking like an exceptional bit of business this one. Genuinely got no idea where his best position is because he just slots in anywhere and looks great and the encouraging thing is that he'll get even better and better in the next 2 or 3 years. He'll be in the England squad before long as the likes of Walker, Trippier and Chilwell will retire/get too old soonish.

Big 3 points this afternoon and sorely needed too. Thought we played quite well and Jiminez's assault made things much easier thankfully. Thought we stuck at the plan well and the goals eventually came and delighted for Miley to notch. Losing Schar and Joelinton were the big blows obviously but 3 points and a clean sheet keeps the wolf from the door and keeps us in the pack. Other clubs up there will drop points and lose players too, we just need to keep it together and get through the next 5 or 6 weeks and it should get better each week, fingers crossed

Was a tap-in too *clicks fingers*

Wouldn't want him anywhere near the club for a variety of reasons - main one being that he's utterly finished at PL level.

#announceBeale Be just the boost the fans need