Pata

I don’t think there’s going to be that much rotation, no way the likes of Ritchie and Dummett start IMO. It will be a mixture of players who haven’t played much yet with the freshest regulars. Dubs Livramento Lascelles Botman Targett Tonali Anderson xxxxx Almiron Murphy Isak Something like that.

Colo’s close control and technique was the best I’ve ever seen from a CB. Schär is obviously good on the ball too but his long passing can be a bit hit and miss, glorious ball played is often followed by one that’s nowhere near the target. Hope Schär has many years left on the top level, he’s been magnificent since the takeover.

Plane landed right on kick-off time and watched some of the first half live on my phone. Finally watched the whole match now and it was alright, got the performance I wanted to see after Milan even though the opponent wasn’t a PL level team. This thread post-match was a bit weird, wasn’t a good start but we definitely shouldn’t have been down 2-0, they only had a couple of half chances.

EtH parking the bus against a promoted side, love to see it.

IIRC Raya was the highest scoring keeper last season behind this same defense and don’t think that highly of him either as a keeper.

This was his third game in a new league and country tbf.

Trippier was huge in every way. I don't know if we would have got Bruno that January if Trippier wasn't the first signing, showing everyone that he trusts that we can stay up as an established international. He's also pretty good on the pitch

I meant this forum, sir. Thank you for your service.

You clearly weren't here during that time. Losing usually helps with wanting to get rid of the manager. Full on apathy only set in after Rafa's small sparkle of hope was gone and we were stuck with Bruce.

Was worth it during the late Pardew-era. Rather we lost than having to see that charlatan ever smiling.

Couldn't find a legit stream.

If I remember the teams right, ASM and co. are playing against Ronaldo's team tonight. Might actually be watching that if it was available somewhere.

We got back a club that tries to compete and not just exist to advertise the owner's sports store chain. I don't see that as delusional at all, football has changed irrevocably since the Hall/Keegan days.

They are not very good. Conceded tons of xG against Crystal Palace, Man City (obviously) and Everton at home during their promotion honey moon period. Anything but 3 points would honestly be a disappointment, hoping for a good dominant performance too. Really small sample size obviously but McBurnie has been their main danger by a mile this season, can't be a bad thing if he's out.

Then we are in agreement, Kid Icarus.

Stick to humour mate.

Failing to admit you’re never wrong has connections with the superiority complex you mentioned earlier.

You did fail hard that day iirc. I was called an absolute weirdo with zero life and a wrong’un yesterday for using xG and betting odds. It honestly gets tiring and those stats/terms are pretty far from torso deception in the bullshit scale.

So many posters take the piss out of modern terms and stats that I honestly see it as pretty much being bullied for being too big of a football nerd. I’m sure most of the posts are done in jest but it’s not always easy to figure out the tone in a written form.

Criticising someone for being too much into football on a football forum is a complete freak and absolute weirdo behaviour. No one is forced to read anyone else's posts.

Conflicting, hate to see English teams do well in Europe but them doing well this season means a fifth CL spot for the league.

Has UEFA banned betting companies as shirt sponsors already?

This looks surreal but it’s our level now and shows how much Howe and the backroom staff have raised the bar in their short time here. We are not just some plucky underdogs taking part in this tournament and that’s why some fans were disappointed with the performance against Milan despite us walking away with a great point.

I’m not sure if you are talking about N-O or some social media people but I think the people thinking like this in here are at most couple of posters and you saying that seems a bit hyperbolic.