The College Dropout

The next closest are Everton & Leicester. We spend a good 30%+ more on wages compared to West Ham, Brighton & Wolves. The defence: Pope, Joe's, midfield gap, lack of midfield legs, opps working out Burn is a weakness and I'm sure other things - have all contributed to what is by far the worst defence in the league atm. No 1 single factor will turn a top 3 defence in the league over a season, to the worst in the league over a 6-12 game period.

Gutted for Tino if he drops out. Someone said Pardew did something similar to HBA (benched - then thrown in against the toughest opposition, then benched again).

No idea. Maybe using different accounting periods. Kieran is usually accurate and posted that today based on Arsenal's latest accounts. Most clubs haven't released their accounts for 2023 I think so it will change further.

Where are you getting 9th from? We have the 7th highest wage bill in the league

Every manager seems to like Gallagher tbh. The less successful Chelsea are the better. They are the most susceptible of the top 6 to fall off their perch by some distance. Praying for their downfall.

Todd and co. yeh. Not the manager.

Gallagher is their captain. Lovely sale.

I want them to not qualify for Europe so badly. I'm waiting on that firesale.

Out out possession in a well-coached mid to low block - I love a 442.

Definitely signed above Bruce's head. I feel like Bruce had decent "talent ID" at other clubs. Or Wigan had a mean connect in South America and Hull had a mean connect in the football league.

He's an absolute liar in press conferences. Doesn't say anything useful 95% of the time. As an FPL player i just ignore what he says.

The transfer fee didn't make any sense.

8th 4th 4th (CL winners?) 2nd 1st Probably gave Klopp the credit to get away with 1 bad season (which he deserves criticism for) If people think Howe's 4th finish buys him the credit to finish 9th the next season, that's fair enough.

If FFP permits. I would keep all but 1 of these. And the one I would let go is Longstaff. We might be able to get some decent cash for him.. all FFP gold. Anderson & Miley can take his spot.

Meh. Almiron was brilliant against PSG iirc. Was brilliant against Brighton to all but secure CL football. Agree Burn is a leader. To me ALmiron leads with his intensity. I would like to keep both as they set standards (assume Burn does as a leader - no idea really, he shouts and points though) All 3 are limited footballers for their position and need bumping out of the XI next season.

Just doesn't have the ability. In the starting line-up Longstaff, Burn & Almiron have the least ability. They all have positive attributes and great on-pitch personalities. But their abilities are limited. And in a team that isn't functioning well, it's getting exposed. Saying that - he wasn't as bad as the likes of Botman on the weekend.

I mentioned this last week I think. We are v. bad out of possession. To make it better with current personnel we need significant changes to the system. Even after the Liverpool game we've conceded 14 goals in 6 games. Not unlucky at all. This is the main reason I'm pessimistic of our chances of finishing 7th. You can't defend like this and pickup enough points for 7th. I don't see it changing unless Willock comes back and transforms the side and then we get Pope, Anderson and co. back in March sometime and we improve again. We've got the fixtures at least. And it's why a lot of arguments on here are disingenuous. Someone was talking about "undefeated in 4 or 5" to suggest things aren't bad. We have been super bad out of possession for ages and if it continues we might finish in the bottom half.

We need to win this mini-league.

Crowd scream shoot at Emerson and he puts it in the top bins.

Madrid have been a physical team since Mourinho was there a good 12 years ago.

Liverpool also aren't the model defence. City and Arsenal have the tightest defences. Arsenal lined-up pretty sturdy against us with both Jorginho & Rice in front of 4 central defenders.

Looks similar to Joe. Don't want both.

Rumours are that he's close to signing a new contract. Also rumours are that Ashworth was hardballing Joelinton's camp. Everyone else wants Joe to stay so we are now moving closer to his demands than Ashworth was willing to go - £110k p/w from £43k or so. Whoever gave Targett that supposed £100k p/w 4-year deal (worth 20m) shouldn't be involved in contract negotiations.

I love Eddie. But I don't want a squad full of Howe-ball specialists.

If everyone else voted for it they couldn't stop it. Everyone else doesn't want to vote for it though. Apart from the top 6 - every other club can be relegated. We are almost certainly becoming the 7th. They want to avoid more teams becoming untouchable and you do that by removing incentives for the wealthiest people becoming owners of clubs.