James

Leeds! I am very hungover!

Let them have their moment before the reality of the Premier League kicks in later. still with Everton, Burnley and second season Brentford in this league they have a real chance!

10th and no embarrassing cup result. failure to meet either would not make me want Howe out, but would lead to me expecting wholesale squad changes next summer.

Eddie Howe, who is not at all related to Sir Bobby Robson’s long term assistant Don Howe, has a number of unknown hairs on his head. While no one has counted he is not bald, so it must be over one hundred.

I’d focus on Benfica where he was on the right, BUT with Trippier on the ball in the final third he was able to attack the inside right channel, and crucially Trippier had the quality to find him for the pass. I think that is something we could see a fair bit when they play together.

Howe all but confirms that he is staying this year

he is still second choice left back though and needs to train with the first team, whereas Huntington can be with the reserves the whole time

Paul Huntington would be a good choice for this role.

To be honest I find it staggering that he was only tweeted 135 times

Just read a new interview with Howe. When we get a corner, throw in etc the ball boy due to a rule change can now immediately give a different ball to the set piece taker rather than trying to retrieve the old ball. sounds like we are prepping for and trying to take advantage of this

actually Joelinton for Anderson, so ten out of the eleven.

Howe playing the long game of loyalty and squad harmony by playing the club captain against his former club and still getting a win, as opposed to the immediate gratification of the collective willies of N-O.

I will predict we play the same starting lineup as that which started vs Benfica. that means surprise starts for Lascelles and Anderson.

I wouldn’t disagree with that. We definitely won’t see Schar or Burn alongside Botman against Forest.

Yep.

Actually think now that Botman and Lascelles will start the season. I don’t think you would play two centre backs together if they haven’t been playing together pre season. Botman was partnered with Lascelles last two games. add to that thatLascelles remains club captain and will therefore need games, with Forest being his first club.

Anyone noted how after a counter attack goes for a corner we will now continue to run and attack the box via a quick short corner before the opposition has had a chance to go into ‘corner mode’?

Suspect we would have played the back five that starts against Forest. don’t think Botman and Schar have been partnered yet

I’d sell if it meant we were signing Harrison and Barnes

I don’t think anyone would disagree if I said that him, Wilson, Anderson and Wood had the least outfield touches of the ball in that match.

He just isn’t a good fit any more, team mates don’t even seem to pass to him now unless he is a counter attack option or we are pressing around the box. Murphy received more passes

Almiron is the form player right now so Howe needs to make a call on whether this can translate into PL performances. if he does think that then got to go all out on a striker.

to be fair our premier league team ‘only’ beat their Championship first team 3-1. 6 goals were shipped by their back-up/youth players

Plus the switching to a different team at HT works in the teams adaptability against different opponents

This preseason is so innovative