STM

This will be the stuff. Nee wonder we haven't won in weeks.

Something meaningless but amusing: Isak gets some minging Swedish fish thing regularly sent over, which apparently tastes and smells of sick and gets various players and staff members to try it, as some sort of challenge. Even the big security guard has tried and failed to eat this thing. Apparently it makes you sick when you open the packet.

Winning the CL wouldn't be good for us either, I mean, imagine fans expectations. Best off out of that winning silverware malarkey.

Isak starting against Wolves then.

Is it though? Or is it reputation.

We are also aware that our fans can barely hear each other at either end of the stadium too right? Away fans can't hear the gallowgate, half of the east stand can't hear the gallowgate and the gallowgate can't even see the leazes let alone hear it. It's virtually impossible to get the entire stadium singing in unison. This is why expectations are too high. Of course Bournemouth can sound like a cauldron, when you get all 3 of their fans signing at once. Clubs like Leeds and Palace have a good blend of hostile fans and grounds that are the optimum size for atmosphere. It's not rocket science to work out why bigger stadiums = worse atmosphere.

I see the "we have a shite atmosphere, it was better in my day" craic is back in full swing. Mint. Let's keep bashing our own fans, despite putting on better displays/atmosphere than at least 80% of the league frequently. We also have probably the best away fans in the country but one quiet day and its "used to be better". Yes we want to improve the atmosphere at SJP because it can be better but it's still one of the best. Unless you want no women or children at the game or expect the full stadium to be standing for the entire match, I suspect expectations are too high. Let's say we have loads of standing fans behind the goals, all singing and roaring the team on...... and then we concede a goal. of course there is going to be a lull, it's perfectly natural. I suspect some want to knock our stadium and atmosphere as some sort of cock waving towards "the good old days".

The gallowgate shots youtube channel is fantastic TBF. Proper discussion and laughs without it being all about them.

Pope Trippier Schar Botman Tierney DM Bruno JWP RW Joelinton Isak With options of: Wilson, Willock, Miggy, Gordon, Longstaff, ASM, Targett, Burn, to chop and change where appropriate would seem a REASONABLE evolution of the current 11 whilst also massively improving the squad. Obviously I'd prefer Maddison over JWP but just throwing balls in the air for discussion sake. Really liking the idea of Tierney. He's pretty much perfect, fitness provided.

Linked with Tierney and JWP. I know some don't rate the latter but I'd be well pleased with them two, provided Tierneys fitness was up to it.

Also Man United are particularly leaky. They are like an open book transfer wise. Unlike, say, Liverpool who tend to do things quietly. I suspect Howe has a preference for players with PL experience but as someone above says, it's a transfer team decision.

Aye and how much are Liverpool going to want? We aren't in the business of giving money to rivals. We will be targetting more Isaks and Botmans from abroad. If the likes of Chelsea get involved, we will step aside. We won't get into bidding wars with lunatics Expect Maddison, Diaby, and yes even players like Calvert Lewin to still be on the cards. Whilst also trying to pick up good players on decent deals like we did with Pope... see Salisu for example.

It's fucking nonsense. Both are already elite. Even if they don't improve they are already elite. What is elite? Just a term used to ring fence certain players, in order to formulate an argument. Our issue is that we ONLY have 4/5 "elite" players; Pope, Botman, Bruno, Tripper (32 now) and possibly Isak and Joelinton. Sides regularly competing have something like 14. We need more, more, more. Just look at City yesterday, they have Akanji, Ake, Laporte, Stones, Ruben Diaz, for 2 positions (possibly 3 depending on formation) and we have Botman on his own. Schar is a good player but doesn't quite reach their level. Or look at Liverpool: Salah, Firmino, Diaz, Jota, Gakpo, Nunez, Carvalho all competing for 3 spots. It's honestly a miracle what Howe has done. We just don't have enough, it's really that simple. We will get there, it might take 4 years though.

If someone is willing to pay 140m for him, fine. No player is worth that and intelligent football people could use that to advance the squad.

I will say it again for those at the back... he will have signed a new contract before the start of next season.

Think I will accept top 4 being beyond us and start preparing for a top 6 finish. Liverpool in this form will be unstoppable.

Just play Maxi and Isak for an extended period and we will start scoring again.

Right?

McTominay is a head scratcher like. I'd like someone to show me some stats that say he's mint at something because I just can't see it. It would be like signing a more defensive minded Longstaff, which wouldn't move us forward at all.

Is a striker a priority again? I'm not sure I want to be relying on Wilson next season and Isak on his own isn't enough.

He's a huge character in the dressing room. I'm more than happy with him as second choice to Botman. 32 isn't what it used to be either. He's still got 4 years in him. Through time he will phased out but we are still a couple of seasons away from him being expendable.

Sometimes think our fans are missing the sleight of hand being played by the club. While we are all looking at what's going on on the pitch, have a look at what's being done off it, for a clue as to how ambitious we intend on being. If being smart with our money allows us to invest in our infrastructure, our scouting, our medical team, our facilities, our future, I can just about let them get away with not going overboard in the transfer market. So far, they have hired the cream of the footballing world to take this club forward. I couldn't be more relaxed about the future.

I'd be tempted to leave him in the side. He's a genuine threat from set pieces and we need goals. Na, fuck that. Bring Schar back.

We already have a top7ometer. Head over there if you like.

I never really felt like we would score but on the other hand I wasn't really too worried about them scoring (I know they scored twice). It felt like we had a solid handle on the game and Haalands header apart, never felt overran besides the goals. It's certainly some sort of milestone that we are no longer going to City, Old Trafford, Anfield or the Emirates without getting pummeled for 90 minutes. We are tough and combative and "in" games. Our lack of killer instinct in front of goal puts a microscope on our defence. If you can't score a goal, you are asking your defence to keep a clean sheet every week, which is unsustainable. In short, we weren't a million miles off. Once we find the correct formula in attacking areas, we will start scoring and it will take pressure off our defence. You have to think Isak/ASM will find something soon.