Shak

Incredibly impressed by how much of a transformation he's overseen in the way we play. CBs who are happy to keep the ball and play around a little. Players who make runs to create space for others in the final third. We actually look like a team that does things in training during the week to help us in games. Mental. We look so much better for it defensively, too. Lot of people worried about him not being who we needed at the time given our defensive struggles but not just conceding possession immediately when you have it is so important. Villa game was a great example. We didn't just retreat and put everyone behind the ball the last 10 minutes, we actually kept playing and the result was Villa never got a sniff. Hopefully we can go on and get a result today but this is hugely impressive stuff nonetheless IMO. Really exciting the prospect of seeing this team with some quality in the attacking positions. Wood, Fraser and Murphy are all pretty pedestrian at this level and yet we're still producing some good stuff.

Drawbacks of playing in such a low division, just can't have technology at that level.

Fuck yeah Willock! Been our best player.

Disappointing to give away such a soft goal given we've looked really tidy so far.

It looks a bit grim but having Burn and Targett in there does give me some confidence. I'd expect most of the game to be played in our half but I do have some faith that we'll make it difficult for them and will actually have some sort of plan in place to effectively counter attack. Be great to nick a point here.

Poor Pip ate some doozies back in the day.

We're not putting a turd in someone's soup, Mike. OK?

Think Rafa was unlucky looking at their points per game there.

Willock is weird, seems to have really quick feet until the moment comes to actually release the ball at which point it seems to take him an age. Might be why he looks so much better later in games, just that bit more time to get the pass or shot away.

Aye, was gonna post something to that effect @Phoenix711. I'm sure he could do a better job than Shelvey in that role but I do wonder if we'd get more out of him in Willock's place today. We all know Shelvey has considerable shortcomings but he can pick a pass. Stick Bruno and Joe either side of him and let them wreck cunts and you've got a decent little midfield IMO. Willock might do better from the bench, seems to flourish when the game gets a bit stretched.

Only thing I regret about that post is not going into more detail.

On a side note, my fiance is utterly fucking sickened by this takeover and me caring about football again

Actually had a feeling he was gonna score that free kick as he was lining it up. The few minutes before that he'd been fucking everywhere, you could see through the TV that the guy was fucking feeling it and fancied the shot. Fucking class.

Given how badly we did bringing in other attackers in the window, can't be too upset that we have him. As others have said, he's at least someone who knows how to play the position. He does look a bit shite and we paid too much but if he stays fit and can at least provide a focal point for the rest of the year and grab two or three goals and we stay up it'll be a distant memory very soon.

I must have him inside me. But first, I must clean myself. I will be clean for him.

Lascelles is such a bucket of shite.

Lovely goal that.

Not gonna lie, just burst out laughing.

Quite mental that this is our first choice front three for the rest of the season. Wood and Fraser are such plodders and ASM is a complete wildcard.

It's such an awful game

Willock is so slow to do anything with the ball.

God we really need to stay up and sign a team of superstars. I've no patience for shite football anymore.

Kill these cunts!!

Obviously I really hope he plays but it's important to remember we don't have access to the amount of info about the situation that Howe does. If he's on the bench I'm sure there'll be a good reason for it.