STM

Howe will shut up shop against Arsenal, we will look a threat on the break, then the week after we will open up and play basketball again.

Shite performance again. Absolutely naive. Summed up by Schar at 1-1 when we need a cool head to calm the game down, he hoofed it up the pitch, giving it away, putting needless pressure on the ball. It's those moments where we need a cool head and our experienced players aren't doing it. We are playing basketball, not football. Also fuck off with Burn man. We instantly looked better with Livramento. Enough is enough.... he will probably start at Arsenal.

Not about the result though. Performance has been the same. We could win this and I'd still be annoyed.

See above, missed the word biggest.

Sorry I meant biggest problem.

Yep. It's been the same for weeks and we absolutely don't have to play this formation.

Burn is shite but its not even close to being our problem. The midfield 3 are appalling.

What if you were shite but didn't know it?

Can we just do our job defensively please? We will score but can we keep them out?

Ah that's because technically we can have friendlies behind closed doors, which are in effect training sessions. It's a grey area really.

I wonder if this could have a good baring on Joelintons new contract. Ultimately, Ashworth leaving could have a softening effect in our negotiations. It would be nice to think someone could step in and make it priority number one.

He gets pre season though right? That's the most important thing.

It's a concept alien to our fans, the idea that you could spend big money on potential. Livramento has been outstanding and will soon be a regular. Hall is a mystery. Looked good for Chelsea... has looked really raw for us. Not sure how that one goes. So yeah, like every other club... you win some you lose some. Not for our fans though. Someone must hang.

Do both. They still have to compensate us if he's on gardening leave.

Someone will pay, we won't get much though. Getting his wages gone will be a victory.

Honestly Gordon looked brighter up there. It's just a shame that Gordon has to move positions. Wilson looked really poor in his last couple of games.

He's done am amazing job of souring the amount of goals he's scored by getting injured. Part of me is pleased because now there can be no doubt that he shouldn't be part of our long term plans. Bye Calum, thanks.

What date exactly is Tonali back from current ban?

I think there is a tenancy to read too much into certain things. He can be enjoying his job here but also fancy joining his mate at Man United who, let's be fair, are a massive club and further along the line financially. We could have done everything in our power, done everything right... and he could still want the move. If we get 10m for him and replace him with someone equally as capable.. i don't see many issues. Personally, the main question should be about who we replace him with. I hope we have a really good plan.

Football insider

Even the promoted sides will spend more than that. Depending on various things, I'm fairly sure we will be spending 150m + on 4/5 first team signings. Of course that depends on what deals you can do and how much you end up forking out on our main targets.

The good news is that this has been talked about for a few months now, which means that our owners will already have been aware of the situation. I'm actually excited to see what we do.

Absolutely and if we got a couple of million back because we've tied him down, not the worst outcome.

He's incredibly trustworthy. I'm pleased he's staying. He just adds some decent depth in that area of the squad.

So anyway, back to the line up I'd like to see but almost certainly won't happen (that said he moved Bruno forward last week so)... Dubravka Trippier Schar Botman Burn Longstaff Bruno Murphy Gordon Barnes Wilson Obviously Livramento but let's not go there. In this formation I'd allow Barnes and Gordon as much flexibility as they want to swap positions. In fact I'd encourage it because Bournemouth won't know who they are marking. Also given Howes ability to teach people positioning, Gordon could easily drop into that left 8 role while we are defending. I just think this formation gives Miley a break and what a great sub to have.