Unbelievable

Howay the lads just dawned on me, these got beat by Sunlun in last year’s playoffs didn’t they?

True, but then Wood is a boring as fuck Kiwi lump up front whereas Saint Maximin is a flegmatic and energetic French winger. Horses for courses. We’ve had our fair share of flair players and as long as they perform you’d normally allow them some level of indulgence. Specifically I don’t remember that quote leading to a ruptured changing room. In fact, it’s been more tight knit then ever recently, so no idea where you’ve taken the notion from that players have taken objection to it..?

I don’t see how. I imagine Chris Wood is long since aware he’s no world beater. It’s true for every player that their stats would improve if paired with better team mates. Fact is ASM at that point in time was one of our better players (probably still is on natural ability) and he had every right to be confident in his own ability to make the grade of playing for his NT.

It’s disruptive for a player of his ability to suggest he’s capable of 10-15 assists per season? Howay man

Odd one out based on what?

I think it was said in the context of being considered for the national team? In fairness I believe it’s not disruptive to suggest it’s easier to get good assist numbers and get the NT manager to take notice when you’re crossing to Haaland than it is when you’re crossing into Wood..?

We coped adequately without Wilson back end of last season, but since Wilson >> Wood naturally we’ve brought Wilson back in as soon as he was back to fitness. Don’t see why the same wouldn’t apply here.

How so? He was pretty much our only lifewire for much of his time here.

But you were perfectly happy to black mark the player despite the same lack of info. That was my point.

I don’t think a star player suggesting he’d be able to produce better stats if surrounded by better team mates is indicative of being a bad apple, considering it’s so evidently true? As for pressing, it’s quite clear that ASM was changing his approach to team play recently. Besides, we normally now play a CB at LB and we’re toothless going forward down that side, so playing ASM there makes a lot of sense anyway in terms of balance and keeping the opposition guessing?

Wilson is a injury worry whenever he steps on the pitch, yet he’s not frozen out, but carefully managed as he should be. You could point to Wood, but I’d suggest Willock on the left wing is not going to concern opposition managers either…

So you’d start him and bring someone on if he can’t hack it physically or plays badly. He was our star performer until quite recently, and Howe should be trying to get the best out of him, especially on a day like today when there is an opportunity for him to play and for others to take a breather.

Depends. Could understand he’d be frustrated if he was told he’d start from the bench for example. He’s barely been used since returning to the squad after fitness issues, and given what he can bring to the team he’d quite rightly be expecting to play in a game like today’s to show what he can do and fight his way back into the first XI.

Bit premature, just as my initial reaction the other way, which is that I’m seeing a parallel with how Ben Arfa was frozen out by the horrible cunt who happened to manage us at the time. Be a huge shame and a mark against Howe if he can’t manage to get a tune from someone so naturally gifted and who hasn’t been a bad apple before (quite the contrary here I’d say).

Disappointing if true

Qualifying for CL would surely be an enormous help with growing commercial revenue (be it Saudi sourced or genuine)? I’d like to see PL refuse us growth based on similar revenue levels as the “top” clubs when a couple of them finish underneath us, will fail to qualify for CL and hence will see their commercial appeal be lowered. When we get to sit at the big table try and push us out I say.

Aye. Don’t understand how he got the rep he’s got. One of those players made to look better than he is playing for a well coached team imo.

Gutting news. Didn’t know he was ill. RIP

His Australia NT team mates have probably recommended him at Hearts you’d imagine. Wouldn’t mind us building a relationship for loaning out players to them.

Has he even been booked yet?

FT: good result

Lascelles again

Blow the whistle ref

No chance

Oh dear