The College Dropout

It’s not our strongest team in what I feel as the most important match in the run so I have a problem of that. The lack of changes shows why we didn’t go with our strongest team. We are racing legs for a competition we have little chance of winning.

There’s a school of thought that he’s an elite player in waiting and it’s just a bad tactical fit. im not convinced. I’m not convinced he has the technical ability to overcome his physical and mental limitations. Mentally he needs to come on leaps and bounds imo

Listen if we beat Barca over 2 legs he’s justified. Bur for me - this was the biggest chance of securing a trophy and major European football next season.

Agreed. Of the 5! games we’ll play Man U, City, Barca, Chelsea, Barca - this was the big one for me. Joelinton, Burn, Gordon start this. This was the big one.

The decent games = simple passes to his own players and running his man down the line and over hitting crosses. Im trying to give him grace. But lad is not it. Can’t blame fans for wanting More. It is galling we scouted him and thought he was the one. For several years too.

Regardless of the fee he’s not a great footballer. He doesn’t have it technically. He doesn’t have it mentally. Even if he finds a Murphy cross and shoot exploit that will not change.

I think so too. But it will be Murphy good. His footballing level is capped. We needed more. Hes simply less talented and has a lower ceiling (and floor) than Gordon and Barnes. We needed the same level or better and he’s short of that. So even if he improves. We need to improve on him.

Doku is literally top 3-4 (maybe higher) at 1v1 take ons in European football tbf statsitically. But the my should do better, he doesn’t have that many assists.

At first glance I say yes but that would be 9 players in our own box in a line defending 6 attackers. Doku is elite 1v1 but the 2 on 1 + all those bodies in the box shouldn’t allow the ball to get that far. The first 2 should get a block in. Also the bodies in the box have confused us. Thiaw is on the LB - probably shouldn’t especially that deep. CM and RCB is on the main striker. Hall is with the RB on the penalty spot. It’s not where we want to be.

It’s not Elanga or Barnes fault that our fullbacks are knackered and not strong enough defensively at this point. Savinho has 1 PL G/A all season. Was almost sold in Jan. He was MOTM. that’s on Howe and Hall. This was a game too far for Hall and Trippier legs wise.

^^ waffle. You want him out. And just waffling. The best time to get a rid of a manager is when the manager is a weak link in the organisation and squad. The squad needs major surgery, I want a trusted head coach through that. If we add quality to the squad and Howe underperforms - he should go. This squad however isn’t good enough overall.

I don’t get his approach to squad management. Too strong early in rounds, too weak later. There’s no point consistently putting out 70% strongest teams in domestic cups. We’ll get about here and lose. Play a fair few matches but ultimately not win. We should target and deprioritise competitions imo. No starters in league cup until semis at all - we most likely don’t make it. But then really try to win the FA Cup.

Think it’s more Woltemade. Barnes man is Nunes, Nunes don’t do too much. Our LCM is the on to help out the fullback on Woltemade didn’t. Because he’s not a LCM.

Looked exhausted. Savinho got some good success out of him. Scared for him midweek.

Havertz is better man but similar issues.

Agreed. Starting him was a debatable choice. Keeping him on after HT was exactly what you said. Not a genuine attempt to win the game - and saving others. I don’t think he has the mentality to succeed under Howe. Or at least I’m beginning to doubt it. Similar with the other big money new boys. Maybe it will click next season.

He’s never a striker in a Howe team either I reckon

Majorly disappointed me. This was the biggest game of the season for me. And we started well but then quickly turned really poor.

And Guehi. It’s been such a shit rebuild. Just keep spending money. Most of these tonight are poor signings in a rebuild an they can just demote them to the B team and still beat us.

Losing hope with this lad.

Bobbins man

My issue is starting and keeping Woltemade and Osula for so long.

I do think the fullbacks are tired and the fresh city wingers got at them From minute 1 both wingers looked like they could get us

Thats what literally means….

We’ve been shit.