STM

Over achieving Sunderland, should be the title.

What's the craic with them and Jimmy Hill like?

No chance that this ends well. Stingy Levy with money bags Mourinho? Loads of difficult attitudes? A history of playing attractive football? He will get them sorted this season though.

4-1 when Carew scored the worst hat trick ever and rat face scored for us. That was back when MA sat with the away fans. Cunt.

Finally got around to watching Sunlun till I die on Netflix. Should have known I'd have found it in the comedy section. In all seriousness, I have two thoughts about the documentary; the first and most obvious is that their fans are the weirdest bunch of bastards in the world. Ugly, to a man/woman, the most horrific accent in the world and they have this obsession with just abusing everything. They lose a game and it's literally a verbal volley on whoever's is on the pitch or in the dugouts. It's like they just cant articulate actual words. My second point, is that it's actually a tragic document of what can happen at a mismanaged football club. An owner who spent money in the wrong areas and when it backfired just basically shut up shop and let them sink into the abyss. I actually felt sorry for their staff, including both managers, players, the chefs etc. They were on a hiding to nothing in that championship season. Even Martin Bain was fucked over by short. You could see the resignation in his eyes. So I sort of have some sympathy for the employees at the club. Their fans, on the other hand, what a fucking shame.

The last thing England need is a naive one way manager who has no proven success at knockout football. Wilder is the most impressive all round English manager right now. I think both Wilder and Howe need to prove themselves at bigger clubs in knockout competitions before being given the England job though. I think the days of giving experienced managers. I.e cup winners, league winners and foreign managers getting the England job are gone. Especially with the success of Southgate. Unless you are going to get Klopp or whatever, I cant see England going any other way.

Eddie Howe's biggest achievement is HOW they play. It's one thing grinding out premiership survival like Big Sam, Pulis or Dyche but to have an attacking philosophy and it work is very impressive. He should be next in line for the England job after Southgate.

Very lucky for him to potentially be signed by their academy. I hope he makes it. I have a 6 year old who I'm sure wont ever make a pro but I'm so proud of him just getting a goal or whatever. You must be immensely proud.

You could teach him how to type out insanely long posts.

What the fuck are you on about? He strikes that ball as sweet as a nut. Keeper should probably get there but it's clear hes got a difference in confidence at international level. Cant remember him having a go from the edge of the box for us this year

Man Utd fans are allowing nostalgia to get in the way of common sense. There is zero evidence to suggest that Ole is an elite level manager and things are likely to get worse not better. The Man Utd I used to know, hate but ultimately respect would have gone after the best manager in the world, alongside the best players in the world. Best striker in the league? ...Andy Cole, signed him. Best young striker in the league?... Rooney, signed him. Best centre half, Rio Ferdinand, and so on. Man Utd the club have dropped their expectations and the fans are being tricked into thinking it's ok. Ok, I understand they aren't going to be poaching Pep or Klopp but have they even tried showing some ambition? They passed up the chance on Zidane or could have gone for Poch, both would have been sensible moves but no, they are sticking with good old Ole who is happy to be there and wont cause any problems for the owners. I mean, what happened to that club, they used to be such glorious cunts?

Lejeune should be back anytime now. It also might prevent fatty from cashing in on Schar.

Could be worse. Hes, at best, our 3rd best centre back.

Even Joelinton would score.

As much as Richie shouldn't get back in the side, hes a good egg and a very useful utility player, it will be nice to get him back in the squad. There is no way he is taking Willems position but he will very useful from the bench. He would have been perfect for the last 20 minutes against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Fairly sure we wont go down, provided Bruce doesn't change formation or tactics. If the defenders stop scoring it could be 17th, if the 3 barn door amigos start scoring we could get as high as 8th. Fuck knows what will happen in January. We might sell Schar for 40m or we might sign a couple of decent players. We really are an enigma.

I'm surprised anyone thinks PEA is worse than Vardy. I must say it's a pointless discussion in my eyes as they are both excellent. Ones playing in a better side atm.

He’s a finisher, nowt more. Cant agree. You have just said you would prefer Vardy but Vardy is the very definition of "just a finisher", and since when is that a bad thing? Aubameyang is a world class striker playing in a pretty shite side. Create chances and he will score 25+ goals for you. When fixing this Arsenal side, Aubameyang and Lacazette are the last place to start. As you say, the first place to start is the board, then the manager, then some competent defenders. Signing David Luiz was literally the last player they needed. Great technical ability, bang average defender, with the game management of a frog. Leicester, on the other hand, signed Jonny Evans last year. Solid, dependable and experienced at this level.

Arsenal should go for Rodgers. He would do good things with Lacazette and Aubameyang.

Arguably our second choice central defence out there in the second half. Certainly helps that we dont need to rush back our two best, Schar and Lejeune.

It was a great move for their corner. Got to give them credit.

Sign him now. Hes worth double the price we have agreed.

Yeah, hes probably the worst footballer out of our centre backs. Maybe Dummett is worse, but it's close.

They are an odd side Bournemouth, very fluid and inventive but they just seem to switch off very quickly. Surprised they have had 3 clean sheets in a row.

Yedlin and Willems have been brilliant, Hayden has been very poor, Shelvey not much better. Again, the 3 barn door amigos preventing us from scoring goals.