Shak

Damn zeebs

Forces us to play Bruno too deep and he's the only one I can see actually producing something to get through them.

That's what I'd do

I mean I think the ref has been good tbh, is letting it flow when he can. Most of the outrage on here seems to be about theoretical decisions that people think he'd give in certain situations that haven't happened in this game

Jota visibly relieved that didn't turn into a real fight. Joe would just end him

Aye, they're so we'll drilled. Really highlights the need for quality in our front three, hard to see any of them picking a pass.

Would like to see a switch of Willock and Joelinton, think we could do with Joe's physical presence.

Fucking pass from Shelvey there Can see the player he could have become at moments and it's a real shame.

Never a foul tbh, nice of them to play on when there's a guy injured though.

Ball to the far post was so fucking on, poor from Keita luckily.

The only reason not to get Targett would be if he wants to play with wing backs. All the links in January were with very attack minded full backs so I do wonder if that's Howe's long term vision. The link to Lodi this week definitely raises the question. Think you're getting the most out of Trippier as a wing back so I can see the logic. Allows a bit of versatility too as you can go to a flat back four and play an extra player further up the pitch when chasing games or you just want to go out and attack.

Seeing the Lodi link and remembering that Digne was supposedly our first choice at LB in January, I do wonder if eventually Howe sees us playing three at the back. Might be the hesitancy on Targett, he's been pretty solid on the ball since joining but I don't know if he has enough about him to play wing back. Trippier and Lodi would be a very interesting wing back duo.

Looked like a kid trying to get away from a shot by one of the bigger boys.

Poor Mike just going about his day

I mean he's only 13 years older than Lampard but I get ya.

The fact that he's clearly trying to adapt his game to fit in better is a real credit to him, it's not coming off right now but it would be a shame not to give him more time IMO. Feels like next season will be a transitional one for us anyway so hopefully we give him a year to see if he can grow into the player we all want him to be. If Howe would prefer to move him and spend the money on a replacement I'm fine with it but I hope not. In the wide positions, I'd like to see us bring in a first choice RW and then maybe a highly rated youngster, moving on from Murphy. ASM, Almiron, Fraser and two new wide men would be a good group IMO, especially if we can add a quality striker.

Delighted for him, seems a lovely fella. Ideal squad player IMO. You know he's going to run himself into the ground every minute you have him on the pitch he can play a number of positions.

Colossal job he's done. Completely transformed the way we play in a matter of months. We're playing football that is both entertaining and effective and the organisation and cohesion in defense is remarkable. The players that we've added have all been bedded in excellently and are (with the exception of Wood, I suppose) performing really well, while the transformation of some of the existing squad members has been staggering. On top of that he's an articulate man who seems to be forward thinking and looks like he's still developing as a manager. I really do hope he can grow with the club and be the manager here for years to come.

It's very encouraging that he's clearly trying to change the way he plays, you can see that he's been asked to release the ball more and is trying to do it. Bodes well for the long term prospects of him being part of the team. Thought it was actually to his detriment on the great run where he beat three players, tried to play it to Almiron when the pass just wasn't on. Really wanted him to just go at the last defenders there. It's definitely frustrating watching him at the moment. It definitely doesn't help that the other players in the front three are basically useless, you'd hope with better players around him things will go better. I hope we get to see it next year, I'm not convinced by any means he'll be able to play as part of a cohesive team rather than as a wildcard individual but I'd certainly like to give it a full season under Howe to find out.

Shite game. Delightful victory. Can't wait for summer.

Definitely some post-Ashley trauma in here I'm fairly certain we'll spend a shitload this summer and my trousers are down and I'm ready for it.

Seems an ideal squad member next season. Buy a top quality first choice striker and let Wilson back him up and be an option off the bench when we're chasing a goal. He'll still get plenty of game time and be an important part of the squad without being expected to start every game, should hopefully help keep him fit.

Joe just charging the sheep head on and rugby tackling the wooly cunt to the ground would be immense to watch.