greydos

Your housemate lives with you though, so, gotta question his judgment? (*lol, kidding, I’m just being a n*bhead!)

This whole idea that Targett may not fit into Howe’s style is silly. Targett’s just helped Howe pick up the 2nd most points in the league in 2022, picking up wins in 60%+ of his starts. In the pre-Norwich press conference Howe has said that he needs to be and is: (1) adaptable on style, and (2) enjoying the way we play this year. Now Howe will change to add a bit more control next year. That means more short passing around defence and midfield. Nothing I’ve seen says Targett can’t play in such a team. He’s not Lascelles on the ball! Also this point about lack of assists is so harsh. Our team is light on goals and finishers. So when can he get a lot of assists? We won loads by the odd goal. More pertinent is whether he progresses the ball safely (though even that stat is hurt by Wood’s inability to trap a ball) and plays key passes. The eye test says he’s good at both

Even if we want a progressive left back for turning 1-0 wins against “the other 14” into more comfortable 2-0 and 3-0 wins, our team will still need Targett against the top 6. Even with 4 quality signings in the summer, you can’t tell me we can defend better against Man City and Liverpool with a Gosens/Digne at left back rather than Targett. He’s literally a must sign for me. Plus, Trippier’s a passing attacking fullback, not so much a marauding one. Targett could well get to that level in the next 5 years when he’ll be Trippier’s current age. Get him signed ffs!

So let’s buy Modric and Casemiro this summer then!

He’s damaged our goal difference. We were much more solid under Bruce-Jones. Jury still out for me

I’d like to think it’ll be like Trigger’s broomstick on Only Fools & Horses. 17 new heads, 14 new handles, still the same stick!

Meat Stack was the winner. Fair play, 6 pints down, just what I need to rescue the night. An oily masterpiece!

Best place to eat chaps? We’re in China Town at the moment. Fancy anything to be fair. Feeling ravenous!

It’s the “most” that has me concerned! Nah to be fair all have been good as good so far

In Black Garter now. Bought 2x pints for price of one in The Stack. Definitely a different crowd. I’m reserved on whether it’s a better crowd lol!

Are you messing with me?

Nice will check it out. Thanks HTT!

Just arrived at “The Stack.” Middle-aged hen-do central! Any recommendations for a decent pre-match pint?

Plane just taking off to get up for this game. Can’t wait!

I’m going to this. First game since we turned over Man City under Rafa. Looking forward to finding out whether Bruno’s play is as silky in the flesh as it looks on a screen. I’ll go 2-2

I think you’re both right. Ultimately spending his is a pre-requisite for success, but not a guarantee of success.

Targett can pay for us in the top 6 comfortably. To be in the top 6 you just need to be great at beating “The Other 14” consistently. Plus doing evens against the rest of the big 6. Targett’s easily good enough for both tasks

I’m hoping we take Chelsea’s officiating into this match

No, I want to start our winning run again!

And that, if he was speaking out against the officials, he’d have said “13 men” to include the VAR

He posted on twitter: “Some performance from the boys against 12 men today. Proud to be associated with the club is an understatement. @NUFC”

Rudiger on a free for Lascelles would be fantastic

I agree with you, but any team managed by Bruce is cursed.

HTT finds the spiritual heir to his essay-posting throne. Beautiful times!

I’m not attempting at all to make out it’s an assist. What I am doing is recognising that Bruno’s part in the goal is something only he will do in our whole squad. Dubravka can play it into midfielders short and has done before. Shelvey can ship a sideways pass under no pressure. Fraser can knock a ball to Targett on the overlap. What we’ve never had before is someone comfortable accepting the ball in our defensive half spaces, just in front of the back four, turning their man who presses them and threading a ball to feet between the lines. When Shelvey is deep he won’t have the guts to do that. He’d go back to Dubravka or wide to the full backs who would when pressed eventually play a long ball in the air. I think it’s worth noticing and celebrating the unique positive skill set Bruno brings to us