Minhosa

You may not see it on the highlights but Gouff actually won the ball back in the middle of the park with a good tackle, passed it to Dummett whose ball made the goal really. It was our only moment of quality all game. FWIW Atsu was fucking chronic throughout otherwise.

Don't want him.

I'm just in from the match. I'm not going to knock Rafa but one point that's been consistently made (especially during Dec/Jan/Feb) was how well Rafa's teams generally end the season through benefitting from rotation etc. That's not the case this year. We are literally tripping over and stumbling towards the finish line in a 100m race. It's touch and go whether we get there, albeit flat on our faces, or we get pipped. In terms of general observations, we looked absolutely fucked, even in the first half. It seriously looked like their efforts against Leeds just had them spent. Ritchie was as poor as I've seen him, Dummett blowing out of his arse and Shelvey very leggy. Darlow - Kicking fucking atrocious. Ipswich fans were taking the piss every time he had possession. Yedlin - not fully fit and as poor as I've seen him. Lascelles - Shite. Hanley - Surprised he's been a captain at this level. Shows no signs of leadership nor aggression. Dummett - Awful Distribution and at fault for goal. Shelvey - Chronic. Hayden - not fit. Ritchie - Even more chronic. At fault for goal. Atsu - Good cross. Otherwise fucking hopeless. Spent more of the first half on his arse than his feet. Diame - Fucking lump of shite. Get rid. Murphy - Bullied by their centre backs. It was noticeable how many of our players were slipping around all match - particularly Atsu, Darlow and Hayden. It was also weird how many of our lot were strapped up. Hayden, Dummett, Yedlin, Shelvey and Atsu all wearing those 'Bale Stripe' things. We're literally patched up and stumbling like fuck. This is what happens when you don't invest in winter window.

Going to this. Fearing it at the minute. Hope we come out of the traps quick.

Think Ritchie has been better overall imho. Still have doubts over Shelvey in the premiership due to his fairly woeful contribution last time around.

I fancy him to have a good season next year if both Koeman and Barkley stay.

Wanting to buy tickets over the phone, what time does the ticket office close?

Love that TF piece. Quality.

Hope Norwich don't come up this year as I'd rather they were down in the Championship next season when the Mackems are down as you'd wager large money on Norwich coming top four. The most decent sides that can stay down this season, the better. We'd finish comfortably above Norwich next season so I'd happily see them make a charge and nick a Play-Off spot. We should finish comfortably above either of the two joining us tbqh.

On tonights evidence, I'd start Mitro.

All over I bet. 6 weeks minimum normally, innit? Does he have a history of injuries/hammy issues?

I am really fucked off tbh. I want to win the league. Make no bones about it. Can't see Brighton dropping many (if any) points from here on in as they've got momentum and relatively easy fixtures.

He was good last season. Think hes more suited to prem than the physicality of the championship He was decent when he wasn't involved in such a rigid/regimented system. He's shown no ability to make a meaningful contribution in the new environment and that's why he's not had a look-in until now, when we're on the bones of our arse for a CB.

Hope Norwich don't come up this year as I'd rather they were down in the Championship next season when the Mackems are down as you'd wager large money on Norwich coming top four. The most decent sides that can stay down this season, the better.

Agree but we're desperate for a solid LB. It'd honestly be one of the first moves I made in the market. An attacking FB on that side would make a huge difference to our balance.

I'm quickly running out of patience with him.

Not influencial enough first half for me. Good second half. Four shots on target. Most of our play going through him. One crazy effort full of quality and then a goal. I'll take that tbqh.

Not sure either are good enough tbh. I've always liked Mbemba but he was an absolute bag of shite tonight. Same here. There's a good player in there technically, but a defender who switches off is an accident waiting to happen. Enough. He's a decent natural 'defender' and athlete but I'm quickly coming around to the idea that he's not one for being 'coached'. He'd best find himself another team then. Yup. He'll be gone or fourth choice here next year. These last two showings would've done nothing to convince Rafa that there's a 'coachable athlete' in there imho.

Won't be surprised at all if he needs an op in the summer (or before).

Why not? They're shit. Better than Sheff Wed, who've done the double over us. Yep. Fortunately football isn't worked out using logic puzzles. If you can't see the argument for Leed's not being 'shit' then your opinion is fucking worthless tbh. Of course I can, I'm just saying that equation doesn't mean we won't beat them. We've beaten better teams than Leeds this season. Then let's not comment on the possibility of anything because sometimes the impossible is possible.

Not sure either are good enough tbh. I've always liked Mbemba but he was an absolute bag of shite tonight. Same here. There's a good player in there technically, but a defender who switches off is an accident waiting to happen. Enough. He's a decent natural 'defender' and athlete but I'm quickly coming around to the idea that he's not one for being 'coached'.

Why not? They're shit. Better than Sheff Wed, who've done the double over us. Yep. Fortunately football isn't worked out using logic puzzles. If you can't see the argument for Leed's not being 'shit' then your opinion is fucking worthless tbh.

Why not? They're shit. Better than Sheff Wed, who've done the double over us. Yep.

They're in a better position at this moment to stay up than us next season, they have an identity and have played together for a while now. We need a massive injection of quality. They'll get found out next season. They may start ok off the back of this seasons momentum but when that runs out they'll sink like a stone and Hughton will be fucked off down the road just like he was at Norwich.

He's playing percentage football to mitigate the potential for errors. That's why Mbemba's not been anywhere near all season. He's a fucking braindead. Given what's he's achieved this season, with largely a bag of shite, he's bulletproof in my mind. He's done well, but I wouldn't say bulletproof. Nobody else would've achieved promotion with this rabble imho. Very true. Fucking rubbish. Nope. This club needed a figurehead more than ever. He's the only guy managing in the Championship and I'll include the bottom half of the premiership with the ability to be that. The fact he can coach the shit out of these fucking goons is clearly a massive advantage. It only goes to shit when you rely on braindeads like Mbemba and Diame to implement it.