toontownman

Certainly something to do with the man management, organization and coaching. You can see the difference in Ben White where he is maybe expected to be more self sufficient while the likes of Potter/Howe are all about getting the most out of players. Think Potter has been great for that and think Howe has always been similar.

Well in from the big man today. Solid stuff.

That shirt rip.. Like a 5 year old 6'6 Big Dan on Christmas Day.

Villa were POOOOR today. Worse than Everton imo. Think there is nothing like an evening game to gee us up like Everton, we had a bit of a hang over after a really positive start. Winded badly by losing Tripps and Manq. In the end the back four were very good. Central three ran their hearts out, Jonjo included but tired badly. Thought wee man Fraser was immense, ASM was fine, his lack of tracking back scares me, not least when we have Dummett on behind him. Wood always works hard, that one shot when he could have slipped Fraser in... gahh. I get him wanting it...but. Keep This Run Going!

Get the mother fucking fuck in!

At least 7 MINUTES?

Hope the person is ok.

Bruno is what we need but given how its going on the injury front I don't think we give up our last sub easy.

Hope this is hijinx from Dubs to get the players organized.

WE BOUGHT VAR, FINALLY!

We are in trouble here. villa have the momentum against two slow as fuck fullbacks. Not sure Bruno comes on until late, we wont want to gamble again. WHAT NO GOAL??

So less than 1m to buy him out of his contract according to that Duncan Castles article. Literally do it now! He also hinted it could be up to 9 months otherwise and maybe you couldn't legally buy him out. That seems unlikely. Either way I think we will find a decent compromise financially and get him in soon.

Lovely stuff. Shame Everton win but they aren't in the clear yet and other clubs above will be looking over their shoulder.

Howe is just keeping harmony in the squad, mentally we are on the up (with what we saw can be a mentally weak team under Bruce) and he is just making the players that have done a good job in midfield feel valued, while both protecting and motivating Bruno a bit. He will see minutes on Sunday either from the start or off the bench. All three in the middle worked their arse off on Tuesday.

Beast. Also seems there is a lot of nonsense about him chinning Alli in the tunnel after the game lol I'm going to choose to believe it even if we all know he is a gentle giant the minute the full time whistle blows.

Sure, we were all fine and understanding over the years when players moved on to better placed teams. We didn't say sure, take him for free. If we want Ashworth now then we need to pay to break contract or wait til his notice is served. I have no problem with that or them asking for a fair or slightly unfair amount. It is a big loss for Brighton.

If he is fit we will likely play Burn there. Manquillo would be fine too. Looked solid there before.

Depending on if targett stays or we look elsewhere 8 or more in the summer would be minimum we been to get up to top 6. GK, 2x CB's, LB, DM/CM, top quality Winger to balance ASM, top quality number 10, top quality striker, maybe 2.

Was thinking the exact same thing watching it last night. It's like a managers interview. He is a clear born winner in that interview. Bit of pure intensity and just a higher level of thinking and focus. Crazy he plays for us. Watched the game back and he is just insane all game.

His presence in the box and up top causes problems for opposition defenders. He could and likely should have had at least one goal today. It will come. He is not very exciting but he will be useful even if he isn't scoring.

Agree. I think the hatred is just embedded now with Jonjo. We are all waiting to jump in on a half arsed tracking back when we lose posession. Tackle was never a red and it wasn't given away in a dangerous position as he has many times in the past. It was mistimed for sure. Thought he was fine today. Played some excellent passes. Worked hard in general. Hope he is replaced properly in the summer because he is still a liability and not good enough all round. Would drop him for Bruno with Joe's either side.

Oops

Another big one. All being well injury wise: Dubs Tripps Lascelles Schar Burn Little Joe* Bruno* Big Joe Fraser Wood ASM Toss up as to whether Shelvey is preferred by Howe to one of Bruno/Willock. Manquillo to cover if Dan Burns toenail has developed a civilization by then.

With the exception of maybe trippier, I think he probably covered more ground than anyone else during the game. He was relentless. Might not have always been pretty but he was constantly closing Everton players down, getting a foot in to tackle and trying to break up play, even if sometimes he was breaking up our own play. Tremendous performance imo. More of this please. While I think Howe will like the idea of Shelvey and Bruno both playing, to pose problems for opposition in offering dangerous passes from different areas of the pitch, the pure running and workrate willock offers shouldn't be ignored. We know he can be an attacking threat. Joe Bruno Joe For me.

Is Lennon taking over at the Mackems? That BBC stream is literally all him gushing over ASM and our players. They will love that.