Conjo

15/16 at the time was really exciting signings. All four among Europes most sought after talents.

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Nothing wrong with man management as the main tool to get results as long as you know how to do it. Based on player interviews I've seen throughout the years, I never get the impression that managers like SAF, Keegan, SBR & Zidane relied that much on systems and tactics, but they knew/know how to get the best out of their players - where to play them, who to play together, how to motivate them to put in the work in training and matches. There is much more depth to it than I and many others are aware of I'm sure, and that is what made/make them great managers. Scribbling down some random Ikea inspirational poster quotes on a whiteboard and reading them out loud, giving your players extra days off training, starting training late, letting players off the hook if they are late etc etc probably makes players like the likes of OGS & Bruce but that's about it.

Harry Winks, creative midfielder? Seems more like a nothing player ala Colback, Hendrick, Tom Davies etc, only slightly better in every aspect. We need someone better.

West Brom in 2004-05, Sunderland in 2013-14 and Leicester in 2014-15 all had 10 points by Christmas, was bottom of the table and stayed up. We have a better manager, better players and most likely will bring in better reinforcements in January than any of them.

rather turn the clock back 2 years?

Some spectacular doomers on here. Things haven't looked this bright in years. We just put in the most entertaining performance since Rafas last game in charge against Fulham and we have a transfer window with ambitious owners coming up in a month. Are you guys just dooming so much in order to make the feeling of staying up even better? I'm more confident of staying up now than I ever was with Bruce in charge up until the points where we were mathematically secure.

Haven't seen any highlights or otherwise after the match, but can't help but feel, as the right sided CB, that he should have been better positioned to prevent Brentfords second goal?

Is he really right footed? Look at "Joelinton - Top 5 Goals" on yt from his Hoffenheim days. In 3 of the goals he does practically the same thing as he tried today. Getting the ball onto his left foot, and shooting in the far corner.

Point I am trying to make is that it was unlucky as he would have set himself up for a better chance to score than shooting first time if his leg hadn't given in. So it wasn't a "brainfart" as you say. It was a calculated decision. I don't think you'll find anyone saying we were average or good defensively today, but main blame lies with the keeper.

Joelinton wasn't a brain fart. His leg literally gave in. Yes he should have shot first time, but if his leg doesn't give in, he's just successfully dribbled the Brentford defender on his ass with a clear shot on goal.

Can't believe people think we're going down after watching that match We are getting Dubs back in the net. We are getting new players in January. We will play better once the players gets more used to Howes philosophy, tactics & training. Lots of points still to play for.

Good game. Shame our keeper sucks.

ASM looks finished. Should get Almiron on for the last minutes instead.

He has played well second half too. Would have scored if his leg/foot hadn't given in when dribbling the Brentford defender on his arse.

Refreshing to see that there's more clever things you can do to switch up play when chasing a game other than putting on every available striker for a midfielder.

Maximin out with covid-19 next match

Yea, that situation would never have happend if he had just gone and picked up the ball instead of doubting.

Someone needs to make one of those 5-6 minute youtube videos of every interaction Joelintons had near the ball with shitty pop music in the background. Can't remember him putting one foot wrong so far.

Cracking game by Joelinton! Not only working hard, he's winning duels, finding good passes, dribbles opponents with lush skills and now scores!

Liking the look of that Joelinton fellow

Great touch by Toney to get in the shooting position. Awful goalkeeping by Darlow.

Interesting hypothesis. I'll try calling Clarke Clark ahead of next match and see if it makes a difference.

Based on Howes comments about Shelvey yesterday his inclusion isn't suprising despite being dissapointing. Based on Howes familiarity with Ritchie his inclusion isn't surprising despite being dissapointing. Clarke however...wtf man. To those saying it's an interesting team....what do you mean? It's basically the same shitty line-up we've had majority of the season.