Bellars

Even Dummett's not a proper left-back. Playing 4CBs and 3CMs against one of the worst teams in PL history...

Maybe he fell out with SB and wants out. SB could be using the vague “some of the squad still has COVID” as a disguise to get to Jan

Six points off the top and higher than Arsenal and both Manchester Clubs ?

We're very lucky that (1) we've gotten 11 points so far, and (2) there are some awful teams in the PL this year that may struggle to get to 30 points. The players look lost and confused, almost like the coaching has regressed their ability to play.

Torn ACL apparently. Terrible.

£5 million for Yedlin? Yes please.

So refreshing to see a striker that is mobile, holds the ball up well, and gets the players around him more involved. Made some intelligent runs and has decent pace to him. He seems to be a striker that makes the rest of the team better, as opposed to a striker that just knicks a goal every now and then.

I can understand the logic here (from Bruce at least). We still have Lascelles, Fernandes, Schar, and Clark, who are all experienced at this level. Plus, Dummet has played some CB, as has Krafth. It's probably our deepest position. I guess I am more surprised that we shipped a CB out on loan instead of cashing in on one, given what we've spent this window.

We sell anyone yet? Surely we'll be looking to dump Muto, Atsu, Saivet, and one CB

Pure speculation, but maybe Ashley is willing to reduce his asking price to get a deal through? Hard to argue that, with COVID, the club is now worth materially less than it was 5 months ago.

Howe looks a totally broken man.

ASM made that look like a training ground exercise. He has assisted both of our goals

Incredible by ASM

Bournemouth are the worst team I have watched in a very long time.

Krafth Lascelles Fernandez Manquillo Bentaleb Shelvey Longstaff ASM Joelinton Gayle Most likely?

Aside from ASM, no pace at all.

Imagine paying £40M for Joelinton when Sancho could cost £50M

He's tall, so Bruce thinks that he's a targetman forward, but his skillset seems to be more of a number 10 / advanced midfielder. He just doesn't have the poacher instinct. For example, he was unable to anticipate the ASM cross in the first half. Not even close to the ball and would have been a tap in.

Ronaldinho Roberto Carlos

With Rafa in charge, we were grinding out wins that were deserved due to team effort + proper tactics. With Bruce in charge, many of our wins have been flukes (the other team misses 3 sitters and one of our defenders scrambles in a goal). Rafa's lingering influence has kept the team mostly competitive, but luck is the reason we are out of relegation trouble.

Poch would be a great option, but Rafa has to be first-choice. He already knows the club, has a special connection with (the majority of) the fans, already knows most of the playing squad, and would be able to make faster progress in other areas. Not to mention the titles he has won...

What a strange game. Atlanta dominated the match and were by far the better team. Martinez had an early penalty save that would have made it 2-0. Bradley should have been sent off (arguably twice!). Toroto's two goals were both superb strikes from outside the box, but low-percentage opportunities and basically the only efforts on goal they had the entire game. That was a game that Atlanta could have won by several goals on a different night. It will be interesting to see how the Atlanta fan base reacts if the team is ever mediocre. Over the past couple years they have developed very high expectations.

Shelvey kept trying to force long balls into crowded spaces, turning the ball over time and time again. At one point I think Brighton had 80%+ of the possession in the first half. At least Ki was patient in making short passes, allowing us to keep possession and build attacks from natural areas, instead of playing hero balls. I think that helped a lot as we looked more settled at the end.

Imagine having both Rondon and another younger prospect that eventually succeed Rondon for the same amount of money as Joelinton.

Watch the club get sued and wind up having to pay substantially more than the full buyout.