The College Dropout

Hope he’s ok.

Just not trusted. Howe’s not one to bring someone on just for fresh legs unless we are 2 or 3 up. It’s not long ago Livra was getting 0 minutes in the league week in week out. He wasn’t trusted at that point - despite great performances in the league cup. Hall has underwhelmed in his opportunities so I don’t blame him either in this instance. Miley’s jumped ahead of him at CM too.

Love the lad but he needs to be the backup.

A lot of good left footed wide players moved in the summer. Kudus, Palmer, Diaby spring to mind.

Had a mare. No chance he’s rested at Spurs. The idea is wild and not something that will even cross Howe’s mind.

We were 2-1 up against Wolves and getting Ranthrough time and again. Neto had Burn on toast. At that point we needed to bring on Livra and Howe did not. There’s things we could and should be doing better. Overall I expected us to fall back this season because of the extra games and the likelihood of more injuries and the fact our squad is a bit thin. Some regression is expected. But overall - we should be doing a little better away from home. If I know Howe as a manager at all, he won’t find this away form acceptable or excusable because of injuries and fatigue. The performances and results have been bad.

Thought he was sharp in moments. Won a couple balls in dangerous areas just let himself down with his finishing. But aye I imagine he wasn’t at his sharpest. Don’t get at his fullback at all but Everton seemed ready for him and Livra. Dyche did his homework. Don’t think he wasn’t arsed. Just perhaps not at his sharpest. Aye this is where I’m at. There’s things we should question. But it will be a good learning curve for Eddie.

If judging by City, Brighton, West Ham and Wolves - not much better no. I saw 3 of those games. We were bad in all 3.

We are better than Bournemouth, Wolves, Everton, West Han and probably Brighton too. We should have played better than we have on the whole and picked up more than 2 points against these.

If I’m saying ‘that’s not good enough’ is that piling on?

Nothing emotional about it. There’s no opinion there. Just facts. I could blame a weak bench if we succumbed to late goals in all of them or had no bench options. But we’ve not played well away from home in any of the televised games. Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton, City, Everton we were shit. Im not accepting fatigue/weak bench as an excuse for poor performances time and again.

We can make all the excuses in the world. If we want to get back into the CL or even Europe, we need to be better away from home.

Ok. And we’ll have less games next season if we keep it up.

Wolves Livramento sat on the bench for 90 minutes while Burn and Trippier rivalled each other in disasterclasses.

2 points from City, Brighton, West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth, Everton is awful. Last year we got 8 points from those.

Aye. We had options against Wolves too. So far proactive subs and rotation aren’t Howe’s style If not pre planned.

That team started with Isak, Willock, Livra if memory serves. We’ll need to rest at least 2 of those against Chelsea.

We were shit at Wolves for 90 minutes too. We just scored 2 goals. Didn’t see West Ham.

I’m not having the tired excuse for this. We don’t play well at all. PSG we were intense and excellent for 45 minutes. We defended then got super tired. Today we were just shit. No intensity at all.

What do you suggest he do? I know you think he should start Hall, what else? I can see him playing Kidd against Chelsea as the break. I wonder if he would leave the other lads home for a proper rest.

Bailey has played himself into the team right? And I assume Tielemans was starting due to rotation? Cash fallen out of favour in recent weeks too right? It’s a proper squad there. being in the conference league might be a bonus fatigue wise as it keeps squad players sharp and gives them a chance to shine.

My only concern today was the general performance. We needed to start with more intensity.

We didn’t even try it today. I think he’s being cautious because he wants the team to stay injury free and last 90 minutes. But we aren’t going to win away from home unless we do the hard running game.

I thought he was ok. A bit flappy on crosses but at least he tried to come and get them. I think he was questionable for all of the goals but none were howlers. The first looked a great strike but on replay it was pretty central. I don’t think Pope concedes all 3. I think Pope might clear the 3rd before it’s a chance on goal. But I also think Pope is a level or two better than Dubs.

I could be wrong on the loan thing. I remember Courtois playing against Chelsea while on loan in the CL.