Yorkie

Was also limited (by choice? We'll never know) to extended highlights. Isak looked absolutely stupid in that first half. Goal of the season for me. The strike was as good as Barnes', arguably better, but the build up was lovely too. And you can't beat a strike that just keeps rising. Only regret is that it didn't go in off the bar.

There goes my boner.

Can't believe he's chucked Murphy back in in an attempt to solve our attacking woes.

Great post.

Some absolutely incredible ties here, like.

Is this actually happening at 7 or can I take the dog for a walk?

If you want to argue that Osula should be at CF ahead of a square peg, I wouldn't argue, but if you're arguing that a lack of playtime is stunting his development, then Lewis Hall is an incredibly recent counter-argument to that. Or has this ropey start to the season eradicated Howe's track record for developing players as well?

Highlights a manager using a player out of position moreso than it does anything about the squad building. Gordon was identified as a backup CF when he signed anyway.

Suggesting literally all of last season was full of poor and disjointed performances is just nonsense, sorry man. There was a few stinkers and a couple of ropey spells, but we won far more than we lost, showed amazing staying power given all of the setbacks and scored 400 goals. Even pur apocalyptic away form wrought several wins and otherwise meaningful results. This season has been very mediocre so far but pointing to trends based on retconning last season is totally unfair.

Why do people keep coming out with shite like this? 18 months ago incudes literally all of last season, where we were often excellent and, at worst, the 7th best team in the league. Massively degrades the whole conversation.

No. Still idiotic to suggest saying "Yes" would be some mental opinion belonging only to the crazy minority.

It's three points away.

We haven't at all. W6 D2 L2 with 2.6 goals per game since (and including) the West Ham Barnes game. We weren't really shit at all last season, we finished 7th with a huge points haul relative to our modern history. This season is a different story. We got problems with less (not zero) mitigation.

Didn't see a bit of today; this all on him then?

Lost in the Delle Alpi. Inter was 1-4.

He's signed one (out of 18, by my count) first team player from Bournemouth, on a free.

I don't agree, but it's been debated a thousand times so I won't bore everyone with my take again.

Can't say I've noticed Tavernier but I don't think it hurts to have players like this in your squad: Sorta signing I could get behind if the farcical rules weren't so stringent.

It’s a fact. It's a fact that we spent competitively for a few windows to catch up after years and years of neglect, before the rules told us to stop it so we don't upset the applecart. But aye 'spent too much,' if you like.

get in.

Fuck me that Villa disallowal. Sorta shit that makes you wonder why we even bother with this game any more. Ffs that Brugge one as well. Perfect example of why VAR on offsides is a crock of shit. The guy isn't even facing the goal. Ludicrously pernickity.

Really interesting appointment, that. No research at all here but when I think of that PL era that he was a part of, its wrought next to fuck all in terms of decent managers, so I wonder if he can buck the trend. Henry, Solskjaer, Shearer, Hasselbaink, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Zola, Vieira... not completely bereft of honours but Christ it's slim pickings.