Rich

Sometimes I wonder if he’s just a really accomplished WUM. Then he goes and posts something like that.

Dummett is in loads of the training pictures, think he’s the most likely Targett replacement based on previous selections. Dubravka Manquillo Lascelles Schär Dummett Willock Shelvey Joelinton Fraser Wood Saint-Maximin Going to say 2-1 instead of 3-1 based on the latest team news on both sides.

Viana, Mbemba, and Slimani all featuring.

http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=8707e3b58f0b7e92ce6b3b4137e7b012&board=42.0 http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=26689.msg843410#msg843410 These poor fuckers have no idea.

Wonder what these would look like now.

Not his first muscle* injury in recent seasons by the looks of it. Don’t know if this is the same leg, but probably better to be safe than sorry if it is. Manquillo isn’t Trippier, but he’s been decent for a good while now. The biggest loss will be on set pieces, but might be balanced out by having a 6’7” diversion to chuck into the mix alongside the CBs, Wood, and Joe.

Another Chris Wood fan, excellent!

Now can we all just take a moment to imagine them in the same team on opposite sides of a quality lone striker? Mama mia.

Howe strongly refuted the loan swap proposal in his presser. "Absolutely no truth."

Fucking hell

Howe says he's got a late fitness test, like Trippier, so could be back in the squad.

Unprompted from Eddie: "But also, it's worth highlighting Chris Wood's impact in that. I think his physicality and his ability to make life very uncomfortable for the opposing centre-halves has been key as well in the last couple of games. I think the balance of the team has been very good." Then asked how far away he is from the goal he needs: "He'll want that goal, but it's not lost on me the difference his presence and physicality has made to that front line. There'd be a lot of balls that he's had no right to either get a touch on, or to just knock a defender that means we're able to get up the pitch and spend longer in their half. But also his work rate and his teamwork, so he's covered for Maxi a couple of times when he's out of position. For a striker of his type to do those unselfish things, it's made a big difference to the team. So I don't think you can underestimate all the aspects of his game that have helped the team." Scraping the barrel, or fair?

And that both Dummett and Ritchie are out injured.

I know I post this all the time, but they’re the best “rivals” anyone could wish for. Constantly plumbing new depths with no self-awareness about them at all. If they lose at Wembo again this season I might spontaneously combust.

Baldwards bang on it again, then. Fucking huckle.

Aye it’s not my finest hour, but I was so sure Bruno would start and a man’s only as good as his word.

Hoping there’ll be some training photos today, but if not then Howe’s presser is tomorrow morning.

We’ll be playing Chelsea three days before their second leg with Lille. Spurs won’t be able to cope with our press. Liverpool and Man City hopefully make the CL semis, meaning we’ll play both of those within a few days of the first and second legs, respectively. They’ll already be entrenched in their league positions then, too, I’d hope. Trying to look on the bright side here, of course… I honestly think injuries are the only thing that derails us from here, that’s where my remaining few nerves stem from. It’s almost completely in our own hands now for the first time in ages, Burnley’s games in hand pending, so the task is just to equal theirs, Norwich’s, and Watford’s hauls between now and May.

Liverpool and City will have nowt to play for by then, man, and fuck fearing Arsenal. Optimistic Not.

What tickles me about this debate is thinking about what Sunderland’s alternative would be.

Every other game?

Very keen to see Joelinton in the 6, now, the more I see of him deeper the more I think he could do it really well. Still plenty of pressing and tackling to be done there, and allows Bruno to be played in his best position and as close to ASM as is possible. Willock simply cannot be dropped if he keeps up a level similar to what he showed second half on Tuesday. The goals will come.

Great post, that. JNK is N-O’s Bruno, fantastic January transfer window signing for the board. The reinvigorated Flip is Big Joe. Also chuffed to see that not all new posters have to be absolute whoppers, was beginning to lose the faith.

Aye, let’s drop Lascelles after his best game for ages. Also, we’ve just won 3-1 and could’ve easily scored five. Conservatism.