STM

Dubravka will be gone. We will need to sign (probably) a quality young keeper to be understudy to Pope. Karius will probably leave, so we might need to dip into the, old 3rd choice, basket too.

There's other positions but I really want a left back. Like a proper Isak, Bruno, Botman, standard left back. It will be tough to do. Like the holy grail but the balance of the side would improve so much with having a quality left back. It doesn't have to be a marauding forward thinking left back. Just someone who's really good on the ball and a beast defensively, that would allow Gordon/Barnes some comfort. We'd then have: RB: Trippier, Tino, Krafth LB: New left back, Tino, Burn I will allow the footy nerds to work out who fits that profile.

We won't finish top 4 but just tighten up, even slightly and we can edge towards 5th or 6th and that's a successful season. Momentum is key.

Like I've said a few times, I don't always agree with you TCD but your post about Miley and our defence being exposed the other day was spot on. It where our problem lies. The lack of Joelinton or Willock is killing us. No reflection on Miley, he's got bundles of potential. He's just young. Give us Willock or Joelinton today and we win thar game at a canter.

Just to give an idea of what I'm talking about, Andybiotics has been quoted above. Madness for me but perhaps I'm in the minority.

If you have a look back at the pre match thread, there's a big post where I explain what I think we should do (Murphy as a number 10, as daft as it sounds) and Livramento in for Burn. Howe didn't switch Burn, which i disagree with but actually did change the other part, put Bruno further forward (which worked). My issue is entirely with the reaction of people during the game. I'm an idiot for letting it bother me. These are a great group, a really good manager, with chronic injuries. Of course its not going to be smooth sailing. Is it so hard to ask for people to just control their emotions a little and support the team? Analyse after, critique after etc but just show support (I know the players can't read this but I feel like "support" is a tangible thing that spreads). Get behind them. Then reflect. That's all I'm asking. The match thread is awash with batshit emotion. That's all I'm saying.

You are arguing back now? You've been given examples of people calling for Howe to get sacked etc, yet you still fight that side. It's highly embarrassing. You either get behind them, or you don't. You don't. You want to whinge and bitch and moan. Keep doing it. You will continue to be called out.

I apologised for making it personal, yes. That's what good people do, reflect on their own behaviour. Perhaps you should reflect on your child-like emotions during a match thread. Unless you think you are being rational. Alot of the long time N-O members are now avoiding the football section because of the irrational, emotional responses from those who can't deal with turbulence during the game. I'm just fighting their corner. I don't always agree with @KaKabut he's spot on, its like kids not getting their candy because we aren't winning.

Got hounded for holding the mirror up. "Weird behaviour" apparently..... as opposed to slagging off every player because you can't control your emotion during a game. It's the pits. I'm pleased I'm not alone.

My view: Good win on the road. Better side, despite what Andy Hinchcliffe would have you believe. Ref was awful. Let them foul all day. Proper homer. Let their fans dictate the decisions. How did Dan Burn play? Got done once and I'm not talking about their first goal, prior to that. Their first was an excellent counter and an excellent pass. If city score that, nobody criticises Burn. If we are to put blame, perhaps blame the midfield for the same issues we've had all season. Aside from that, Forest were shite. Sat behind the ball and tried to hit us on the break (to some success). We should have worked this out sooner and kept the ball better but ultimately they did fuck all... or at least no more than any other PL side at home is expected as a minimum. Howe played a blinder playing Bruno further forward... credit? We dominated the ball but still looked like a side lacking some confidence. We scored 3 goals, again, our scoring goals isn't an issue. We conceded 2, fair but one was a freak. You take them on the chin. Ultimately, we've scored 6 on the road to Villa and Forest. That's fantastic. If we can plug that gap in midfield, particularly on the break, we will improve no end. And yes, of course I agree Burn shouldn't be starting. Get behind the lads during a match. Stop whinging or a mirror will be held up at reactionary bullshit. I love these players, I love this manager and I'm sooooo pleased we aren't in the Ashley/Bruce era. There's issues, sure, so fuck, we will get through them.

Could be owt with this clown in charge.

Fuck sake.

Boooooooooooo Burn boooooo Eddie boooooo

Finally an answer. Booooooooo midfield. Booooo. I'm one of you guys now.

Who we blaming though? Need something to whinge about? It's ok for you and not for me?

Who we blaming? Simple question?

Who we blaming lads, just so I'm in the loop?

My gaffer

What I'd give for an Aston Villa away styled win and performance. I just want us to look in control again, instead of having my fucking soul ripped out. Please 0-2 Longstaff, Wilson

Yeah it's the, getting absolutely raped by pace, which is the issue. Burn knows exactly what he supposed to do. It's like shifting a giant redwood on a double decker bus when he's on the back foot which is the problem.... And the lack of protection from the 17 year old in front of him.

Well OK, you've made your point, it's a fair one. Let's hope the injury situation improves, so that we don't need this discussion again.

Burn will start. Would it be the choice I made? Nope. Will I be disappointed? Slightly. It won't stop me adoring the manager and getting behind the players. We are well capable of winning, Burn or not.

While this a perfectly sensible take... If its a game where we are drawing or winning and the result goes south because we've brought on some young kid... presumably everyone would give Howe loads of leeway? There are quite a few disingenuous fans trying the old "I would have understood if we lost" patter. No they wouldn't, they would have destroyed him post match.

Putting up with absolute weapons on message boards trying to tell him how to do a job which he knows much more about is a downside though.