STM

Was class this.

I tell you what, I know you are joking but Hughes had loads of great attributes, he just didn't have the physical dominance. He's another player we should have never let go. Would have had him over the years of Boumsong and Bramble etc. Also ended up captain of Fulham and NI IIRC. Great player.

I'm sure he will extend.

Woodgate will never win the award for nostalgia because of his injuries, his departure and some comments IIRC. However, Woodgate was the real deal. He had everything, besides a body made of playdough. Pace, strength, reading of the game, calmness on the ball. He was class. Botman will eclipse him... very quickly. He's not as quick as Woodgate but he matches him everywhere else.

POTY.

Don't believe a word of it. Mind games.

Let's say he leaves... and we sign Barella or someone like that... will soon take the sting out of things. Relax.

It's inevitable that one day he will leave, don't worry about it, embrace him being here, wave him fair well when/if he leaves and trust the club to reinvest like a motherfucker.

In a bizarre sense, Bruce not playing him might have saved on some mileage further down the line. Hopefully he's got a couple of top years left in the tank and then a couple of squad years after that.

I entirely agree in the sentiments above that he needs judged over a 12/18 month period. First 6 months was poor, but we now understand why, he wasn't fit enough, neither was Isak by all accounts and I suspect the same transition is going on with Tonali and Barnes (as well as Livramento and Hall to a lesser extent). More than ever, a settling in period seems important in an Eddie Howe side. Give a player 6 months with Howe and you become fitter, more confident, better drilled and more rounded. The man works wonders with young (all) players. Look at Jacob Murphy man. Howe had very little to work with there, and yet he's turned him into a very serviceable squad player, who the fans all trust. Back to Gordon, these last few games have been unreal and part of me is holding back with praise because I'm expecting a drop off. The longer that drop off takes to materialise the more impressed I will be. It's what's to come which is exciting to me. If Howe can turn Gordon, a 22 year old, into a good player in 6 months... what can he do over 2 or 3 years?

Woodgate still the GOAT.

Honestly want to see him as captain one day, even if it's just for a game. Would probably cry.

Totally get this. I'm certainly guilty of thinking that he doesn't "look" like a footballer. I fucking love him mind.

This has made my day.

City, Liverpool, then two from Brighton, Arsenal, Us and Spurs. Spurs and Brighton have question marks regarding their staying power. I actually think we have more potential for consistency with our squad. Will more than happily shithouse 5th and a CL spot. Thank you and goodnight.

Make no mistake, they were fucking awful. I think they are the worst PL side I've ever seen us play. Thankfully, they've helped us turn a bad start to the season, into a decent one...... And we've got fixtures against Liverpool, City and Brighton out of the way.

People will hate it.... but Eddie will go again with a strong line up. Isak and Tonali will come in, perhaps Murphy and Targett but that will be all (Dubravka). Dubravka Tripper Schar Botman Targett Bruno Longstaff Tonali Murphy Gordon Isak Something like that. Perhaps we might see Hall on the left, since Barnes is injured.

His energy and physicality is astonishing. Is there any other PL midfielder who covers the ground he does for 90 minutes? He's also tactically perfect. Knows where to be in this system, without fuss. So yes, technically he's fairly average and his decision making on the ball can be ordinary but I think he's improved markedly in the past 18 months in this regard and today he ran our midfield, with and without the ball. If he has a season where he gets 10+ goals or 15 goal contributions, you are talking about a PL midfielder of the very highest level IMO. I know its clichéd, but the name Longstaff, just isn't sexy but he's our boy and we should cherish him.

He's class. Time stop quibbling because he loses the ball now and then. What he provides is way more important.

Hands up if you want to see Brunos nutmeg?

Lads, maybe we aren't terrible?

Wouldn't mind seeing us try Tonali in Brunos position for half an hour.

McAtee might be worth adding to our scouting list somewhere.

Give me Bruno in this mood every day.