Shak

Or THE Undertaker. Could see it tbh.

He's hurt by the lack of support he gets from a midfield trio of Longstaff, Bruno and Joelinton. None of those do a good job getting into the space between the opposition's defense and midfield and holding the ball up isn't really his game. I think he'll benefit a lot from Tonali being back, he's got the speed and engine to consistently get beyond Isak. If we ever get a midfield trio of Willock, Bruno and Tonali I think that's probably our best bet to get the best out of Isak, though I don't know if sacrificing what Joelinton offers is really gonna be on the table.

I'd try to cut his wage, if anything. Show him who's boss.

Always loved that one I mean, he wasn't offside tbf but what the fuck is he playing at? He must have known the ball was going in even if he didn't touch it, just an absolute tit.

Jesus I'll do well to win the bidding war for Rhamondre Stevenson later with Froggy in this kind of mood.

I mean, Rashford for all the grief he's getting has stuck two on an absolute plate for the striker.

7 points and through in the cup is definitely more than a bit fortuitous based on how we've played so far but I do think Eddie deserves a bit of luck, given what a poor job those in charge of recruitment did to help him going into the new season. Obviously the performances haven't been great but worth remembering that we started fairly slow the year we came 4th too. Won the first game but then went almost two months before we won another league game. There were some fairly abject performances in there too, Brighton away we were poor and lucky to get a point, needed a last minute wonder goal to get a draw at Wolves too. Then at home we drew with Bournemouth and Palace, only managing one goal from a penalty over those two games. There were a couple of good performances against Liverpool and City in there too but it was a fairly slow start, all in all. I think the style of play we want to utilize just might need some ramping up to, frankly. A number of our players are visibly off the pace starting the season and I just don't know if we can go out there and give it the full press mentalists approach that we look our best at. Think winning today will be huge for the mood around the place. Get Tonali bedded in and starting every game, get Bruno, Isak and Gordon all firing on all cylinders and get Schar back and there's plenty of reason to believe we'll kick into high gear sooner rather than later.

Aye, seemed a blatant foul like

On the plus side if he keeps playing like this nobody will want him so he'll need to get his act together.

Brilliant that from Murphy tbf

Barnes coming off when he's been the best of the front three is... interesting.

The plan for the second half today seems to have been the exact same as we had against Southampton. Just sit back and try to hold on. Useless.

That's awful from Pope, like.

Think a large reason we've looked so pedestrian this season is that Isak and particularly Gordon just don't seem to be at the races yet. Gordon looks way off the pace, not sure what's up with him. Isak hasn't been bad, I don't think. But we haven't seen many real flashes of brilliance from him either.

Joke doesn't even work you plank

Aye, no idea how I typed that as I was complaining loudly about Gordon at my TV

Longstaff ends up booked but Barnes just let the guy go there, has to stay on his shoulder you'd think.

Fucking get in!

Feels like Pope has become significantly worse on the ball, and he was shite before.

Football really is bolloxed like.

Fascinating stuff this, lads.

We've largely been fairly shite IMO but four points and through in the cup is a really good return. If we can somehow snake a win on Sunday and go into the break with that it will be incredible, even a point would be very solid. Do feel we need a signing or two though, if we're truly working off Howe's targets and Mitchell doesn't get anything done then I do feel it doesn't bode well for their future working relationship.

Nearly impossible to not start him Sunday, looks by far the sharpest of our front players. Looked decent on the right, too...

Delighted for him. Not a huge fan of his game by any means but he can't help his limitations and clearly gives his all, fantastic for him to have a moment like that

The flat three really isolates him at times, Willock is the only one who really bridges it well. That said, Isak has looked ponderous on the ball today IMO.