Shak

Incredibly frustrating, has all the makings of a shitty undeserved win for them on some jammy goal in the second half. Hopefully it's a huge priority in the summer bringing in players who can actually finish. Very few players in our squad who I feel extremely confident in when a really good chance falls their way. Lots of them just turn to piss, it seems.

Fuck sake, useless fuck.

Longstaff man, even his really good attempts at goal aren't on target

Man I can't wait until we have a player with some quality on the ball getting into those positions.

We surely want a Brentford win, given Brighton have two games in hand on them?

Think Klopp will just fully commit today and spend the whole post match interview literally crying? Would be some provocative stuff.

That story doesn't pass mustard to me.

There's a role in it that I keep reading back my explanation of and bursting myself laughing

Aye and maybe when the two or three best clubs in the game don't want him he might reconsider

Presume that could change with European football?

How much do we think McTominay would cost? If he's available relatively cheaply I could see the logic as we're going to need a lot of bodies in this summer and FFP means we're not going to be able to get the best player on our list in every position. If going for McTominay instead of the best DM we could attract saves us 20 or 30 million and that money means we can buy an absolutely top class winger instead of a good one then it may be a worthwhile sacrifice? I don't know, though. Seems we'll end up paying at least close to 20m for him and I'd be disappointed that we couldn't find a younger player with much more potential to develop for that kind of money. Isn't that a huge part of what Ashworth was supposed to bring to the table? McTominay just seems like such an unimaginative target. Maybe Howe just absolutely loves him?

Actually, one thing I'm hoping for is that with a year under his belt we'll start to see Ashworth bringing in some relative unknowns that turn into stars. Cucurella, MacAllister and Caicedo were all phenomenal value additions Brighton made while he was there and you'd be hoping we'll start to see him find similar for us here. You look at a guy like Kvaratskhelia and what he'd cost and remember that it was less than a year ago that Napoli signed him for about 10m. It's about being the team that finds the next gem sometimes, not always paying huge money for them once they've broken out.

Assuming we have some sort of European football next year, we'll need quite a few additions. The squad has been too thin this year, adding a bunch of midweek games is going to require real quality depth with the way we play. Feel like we're not far from being alright at the back. Hopefully Dubravka has realised the grass isn't greener and will be willing to stay as #2. If he wants to be a starter somewhere it'll have to be at a lower club. If that's what he wants then can't blame him but would be good for us if he's happy to stay as backup. Karius or Darlow as third choice, or someone else. Bring in a first choice LB and we're well set up at the back IMO, assuming nobody leaves. Trips, Schar, Botman and New LB the presumptive first choice four. Ashby/Krafth, Lascelles, Burn and Targett as the players pushing them. Ideally we'd sign a top class CB to partner Botman long term but I think it can wait a year with how good Schar has been. That's 9 defenders in the 25 man squad. Midfield and attack we need a massive influx of talent. I'm assuming ASM will leave. Bruno, Joelinton, Willock, Gordon, Almiron and Isak are players currently in the squad that I would have faith in playing a lot of football next season. Bruno and Isak as nailed in starters, the others fighting for their spots. Wilson I'd be happy to keep as a reserve striker if we think this fitness issue he has is fixable. Longstaff is a quality squad player. Murphy will likely have a role in the squad too given his contract and the way Howe clearly trusts him. Ideally we'll sign four more players, then. Looking at a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and two wide players. One of the wide players will ideally be a player who can also play as a CF. Obviously can't have Wilson as your only reserve striker. Not sure where I'm going here. Fuck it, let's just go out and sign Kvaratskhelia, Diaby, Maddison and Caicedo. Think we'd be decent then

Think the issue is that if he's not able to consistently rinse players with his dribbling then he's not offering much as he really struggles to link up well with his teammates. His movement off the ball is really poor, he never seems to receive the ball in any position other than on the touchline facing a fullback. How often do you see him make a run into a clever space to receive the ball in a good spot, or making a run that drags a defender out of position to create space for a teammate? Those little one touch quick passing moves we like in the buildup are very hard to do with him as he doesn't move very well and he also isn't quick to release the ball. He's a very good player but he's just a terrible fit for the way Howe wants us to play in possession. Also, the way we play without the ball is also very intense and he keeps picking up these injuries. I do wonder if his body is not able for it, physically. I do think we'll move on from him in the summer and it'll be best for all concerned. Assuming the injury is nothing serious, he does have a big role to play down the stretch for us though. We're so thin on the flanks that he'll see plenty of action. Hopefully he can produce a few moments of magic and get us into the CL spots.

Aye in a perfect world he'd come in for Longstaff but we're so thin on the wings that putting him on the left to get that Willock linkup going is a no-brainer. Would love to see Targett in there too, think that trio down the left would be able to create some good stuff going forward.

Everton away on April 27th then Southampton home on April 30th are right about six weeks from now. Those seem like the earliest we could see him. Five games before that Everton fixture. If he misses both of those then there'll only be five games left when he gets back. Also he'll presumably need time to get sharp again after a lay off. Hopefully he'll be a good option off the bench in the run in and one of the others will have stepped up at RW.

Lost in the delirium of the late winner was how truly useless Ritchie was when he came on, guy offers absolutely nothing.

If Almiron is out for 6 weeks then that takes us to more or less the end of April, sadly.

Aye and the thing is he might just have to. Almiron out for an extended period. Gordon carrying a knock and still bedding into the team. Maxi carrying an injury and struggling for form. Wilson completely out of form. Our other options across the front three don't look great right now. Then there's this lad, looking absolutely fucking dynamite.

I do think he'll be off and I think it's best for all parties. I do think he's trying to change his game a bit and do what Howe wants from him but it's just doesn't suit him and it also neuters what he does best. That said, with Miggy out for the next six weeks he's still going to have a big role to play the rest of this season, whether he fits or not. Hopefully he can contribute some positive things in the run in and get a move to a good team but he's good enough to play for one, we're just not a good fit.

Hope he's back after the break, with Almiron out for 6 weeks we're really thin on the wings.

Man Notts Forrest have some shitty looking dressing rooms

God that was great, one of those rare games where you go through absolutely all the emotions. Played some fucking great stuff. Missed some really good chances. Gave away a stupid goal. Had some awful refereeing to deal with. Was all set up to be remembered as an absolutely infuriating evening... Then the penalty. The goal. That fucking celebration with the fans. I was kneeling on the ground in front of the TV when he hit it and once it hit the net I just went fucking mental. Think I was basically trying to do Batista's entrance pyro moves. Probably didn't look as badass as it felt. Let's go finish top four now.