TRon

We need to win a couple of back to back games in this period just to stay in touch, otherwise the season might already be blown by the time Wissa is fit again. I know that sounds dramatic, but by that I mean CL qualification next year will be very difficult. I'm sure we could still make the lesser European places.

His wages are probably stupidly high I imagine.

Agree. They looked in a different class to us, would like to think this was just us on an off day but I'm not sure that's it.

Yep. There was never a deal on for us at £20m. Not to mention we had a makeshift transfer team in place because of Mitchell's unexpected departure. This summer was definitely a crisis window for us, and we did the best we could given the short notice.

Agree. I don't always pay that much attention to the match thread details, but not knowing much about this team I did have a read through. I thought we were in for an easy fixture before today.

I think some of what you are saying is true, but given the circumstances, we were in reactive mode because Isak's loss hit us hard. Thiaw I disagree with you on it, we have watched him a long time and he has done very well in his few appearances so far. We also have tracked Elanga for a long time, and while he's not started so much yet, that might just be to get him used to how we play. It's not a reflection on his performances.

Was hoping for an easy one because we need a win to get us back on track in the CL, but these have won 7 out of 9 so looks a tricky fixture. Balls.

Exactly. Just get rid of the rules if you don't want to apply them. Don't make a song and dance if you are only going to apply them selectively. Or...could just put an adendum to the rule book that these rules will be applied selectively, that way all bases are covered and no room for complaints.

We do seem to be in transition with styles at the moment, no idea if this is down to having a different type of striker up front now. We looked far more like our normal football playing selves against Bradford, but that might just be down to playing easier opponents. I think the Wissa injury has really knocked our season for a six, might have to temper our expectations this season as a result.

Same goes with the elbow in the face of Woltemade. Just apply the fucking rules, that is literally what VAR is supposed to be there for. Hardly surprising then if people start cooking up conspiracy theories when they see the inconsistency - which is totally avoidable.

His arm's raised high, and the ball is heading towards the goal. I don't know why you need to complicate it beyond that. The referee's interpretation is just not necessary, and all it does is raise the suspicion that it will be applied selectively. And 9/10 times it is in favour of the cartel.

It seems to be a curse which hits us in CL seasons where we have a much heavier workload.

I just thought in a game where you are cruising and there's no doubt about the result, take him off after 45 mins and give a run out to someone like Willock who looks perpetually rusty.

Getting fed up of constantly losing our best players.

He was everywhere against Bradford, I would hardly describe it as a light workout.

The main problem is he doesn't offer enough goal threat. Same goes for Murphy on the other side. When you have a striker like Woltemade who is more of a target man, you really do need the support forwards to be getting in on goal more. Same applies to the more advanced midfielder.

We say the same thing every week.

He wanted to keep the ball away from the defender so chose to go wider, a bit like he did last week in a better position against Bournemouth. In those instances your first move has to be across the defender so he fouls you, but that's more an instinct of a goal scorer, and I think Murphy is more an assist man.

Just don't understand why we flog certain players at all considering the fuss we make about our overloaded schedule. I said in the 4-1 win over Bradford as well, just seemed unnecessary.

I said in the pre-match I was worried because I couldn't see goals in our front three. Gordon is part of the reason why. He's a pest for the opposition and he buzzes around plenty. Just not really a finisher, and from what I've seen so far, not linking too well with Woltemade. I think it was easier with Isak because they both had pace so opened up space for each other.

He was probably brought on to give us an outlet and some pace on the counter because we were basically getting pinned back by Arsenal at that stage with nothing to hit back with.

Probably not the best day to be posting this.

He's done well enough, great feet and a couple of goals. I don't think he's the problem, none of our players seem to know how to work off him.

His first touch has looked iffy in the games I've seen, but I suppose Howe thought his strengths were more than enough to compensate. He's been unlucky with not getting any assists so far, but it does seem a lot of money for a player with rough edges.

Burn is 7ft tall but Gabriel got well above him.