80

Maybe, but our squad was unendingly fucked in that period. We came close to losing Gordon to injury a couple of times, which would've been a major predicament. And the main - fair - accusation with Hall is that he lacks defensive nous, not that he doesn't know how to run and put a cross in.

There's no need, everybody already knows his name.

Assuming that's true, you're right, it is interesting that Howe kept putting him in the squad. Makes not giving him more runs out on the left wing to rest Gordon or others during the depths of our winter injury crisis more mysterious, mind. Can't help but think he would've been handy at moments.

I don't know, I think he's benefited from it in a lot of ways. Made him more judicious in what he does. I don't like it when he starts getting daft and lashing out with tackles that would be a 4 game ban if he actually managed to make contact. I'm glad he has permission to get cards again, but I'm hoping he takes something from the experience of this clean run.

Yeah I always get Milner vibes off him. Dean Saunders would've probably hated him.

Where have you heard that?

Definitely a Jeffers-Bellamy moment.

I realise this isn't the time, but God if we could have turned Everton and Luton into wins... We can do this. We shouldn't rule it out until it's mathematically impossible. There's a reason Postecoglu and Maddison looked despondent today.

Anyone got the final figures from last season to combine with this stat? I think it'll be something daft like 19-6-1.

Totally. But if there was a scenario where we could keep Bruno and still bring in the new players we want by cobbling together some financial freedom by moving on Trippier along with Almiron, Wilson and the Hendricks and Hayden's, I think it would be the thing to do. I think Livramento, Krafth, Murphy and "new CB with ability to cover" would be decent enough for next season if it meant we didn't need to demolish the heart of our midfield. Not an easy choice, but it's the sort of difficult decision we are being forced to look at. Personally I'd be delighted if Trippier retired here and joined the backroom staff, but FFP is pushing all clubs to this kind of psychopathic mindset. Homegrown kids and loyal servants are the main kinds of player to ditch. It's shit.

It's a valid point. Not at all keen for him to leave, but he's given us his greatest service already and helped get us to a position where we can cope without him both physically and mentally - which didn't used to be the case. Let's just see what happens in the summer and respect whatever the outcome is.

A young leader. Love his attitude.

Never know why some people are keen to slate him. Very solid squad player, one of my cult favourites.

Sweet. Nice one, Eddie

Edit: Not anymore!

And on that note, the straight face Eddie Howe kept when being questioned about THAT press conference yesterday is the stuff of legend.

I'm not asking for hostility, but to paraphrase Dave Chappelle on Jussie Smollett, the politest thing we could do is to pretend we never knew him.

Praying that's a 5-3-2 or some equivalent... Putting Burn at left back given his last couple of performances at CB makes me want to vomit.

No idea what's happening today. Bracing for a thumping but got this irritating good feeling.

Minute's silence for Dennis Wise when a rat catcher nabs him? People need to get real.

He's no longer happy in Newcastle!

Appreciate the thoughtfulness of saying that. There'll be a few less calls to the Samaritans tonight.

Still uncomfortable with Feyenoord but otherwise yeah, you're bang on. I don't think it would happen now, but in another dimension Lewis Miley going there next season could've been a smart move. Or Lewis Hall...

You're right that he has to take responsibility also, but developing kids is more of an art than a science. Going to that relatively high level might've been exactly the wrong thing for him considering he was a bench player for a middling Aussie team who everyone knew was raw as hell when it came to the bread and butter of footballing professionalism like tactical discipline. The pressure of being this world cup kid who was expected to make the difference in a game against Rangers might have been very counterproductive. I honestly think he'd have been better off with Joey Barton down in Bristol.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/garang-kuol/article-12245135/Brother-Socceroos-star-Garang-Kuol-arrested-Melbourne-year-run.html#:~:text=EXCLUSIVE%3A Moment Aussie football star's,alleged %24120k bank scam&text=The fugitive brother and player,social media to taunt police.