The College Dropout

He’s slow for sure. But I wouldn’t go that far at all. We need some legs in defence but Trippier is one of our main guys.

This is why I’m not mad at Pope. He gets it right 99 times out of 100 and has helped keep us a tight defensive unit. Standing on the line like that all the time costs so many goals.

Man U have that same threat over the top has Liverpool that has caused us so much trouble.

I’m annoyed at Burn. Not sure if he’s unlucky or should have done better. At least we had a good chance and a solid header.

We do. But there’s limitations and weaknesses if you watch us week in week out. We are usually good at getting back in numbers.

Every single one of our defenders is slow and we play a high line. If a team can transition quickly we are in trouble.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never been a massive fan of Dan Burn. He’s been awful today.

Howe limited by the window. I don’t blame him.

Fuckin hell lad it’s your time.

What a shame. This is a nightmare and it looks like our season has imploded. Nick Pope has been huge. We’ve had straight forward momentum for 13 months straight. Crowd, players, managers all together. Now we’re fractured. Tough times. We need to stick together and BE tough.

Does Pope miss the Carabao final?

I meant their managerial careers as a whole.

Nah - as good a career as Warnock has had. Pardew has had a career at a higher level for considerably longer. Pardew is more similar to Bruce.

We got a good fee, great but I'll be honest. I didn't care much for being an NUFC accountant under Ashley, and I don't care much for it now.

Going down with a team that included Perez, Mitrovic, Sissoko & Wijnaldum is a crime. Never once played Sissoko and Wijnaldum in CM, instead we had Colback & Anita. Jesus wept.

Aye. Genuinely the game has moved on from him at the highest level. But he could do a Hodgson at Fulham or even Palace type job for.. well those kind of teams. He's also a nightmare from a Leadership level. Someone like Ranieri was easy to get along with as an Owner.

Steve Bruce was a PL manager for a long time. He's not a complete idiot. He took a job as a shill and he knew it. It was the best job he was ever going to get again and he would have the media behind him while picking up good money. He's selfish as owt and will never come out with the complete truth piblicly but he knows it all deep down.

I think he did know how he did it. It's just not that different to what he does when things go wrong. He wasn't much of a coach or a tactician. But he could get some lads working for each other and foster tremendous team spirit. That breeds results and confidence which feed into each other. Setup a basic framework and give the more talented players freedom to do their thing. That's why he was such a streaky manager. He was BS'er... coo'oing when things went well and i'm sure the squad loved it. Him being a terrible person is probably why he's hated above so many other worse managers. McClaren must be a better coach. But he was never able to galvanise the group. Sustain any confidence. Get performances from the group for more than 2 games. So he was relegated with the best squad we had for 3 years.

Barca's record against top teams isn't great this year is it? Flat-track bullies.

I reckon he sticks with 4-3-3 to have equal numbers in midfield with Liverpool

I see a player with lots of ability and talent - if a bit green/innocent.

Pep-effect too though. Although that might mean playing left back. His left foot isn't as good as Mahrez but at this point he's a better player overall. I think Saka will leave. He could run the contract down completely. Then there's the likes of Real Madrid that could come in for him.

Where?

Oh and this idea that we had this magnificent squad should have died a long time ago. Yanga-Mbiwa ffs. Definitely his biggest crimes was his degradation of the club. And it was a turning point in our history. Rafa's exit was the final nail but Pardew was the coffin.

We'll need a squad though especially if we're in Europe. Could probably grab them for £15m-£35m at 19-22, they could be back-up.