KaKa

Until we are in position to start at least one of Hall or Tino, and ideally both, the team apparently cannot progress the ball forward. I'm not sure Howe realised how poor we'd be with both Trippier and Burn at full back. The real worry would be if he still doesn't see the issue, and doesn't look to improve the options there in January. Brentford weren't even really pressing, or playing with any real intensity and the use of the ball from Burn and Trippier was just awful, and invited so much pressure. As long as those two are starting at full back, I don't see anything changing at all. It's going to be interesting because these are two guys Howe thinks highly of, but they just can't get the job done in those positions. Howe is going to have to get them out of the team or change the formation to better accommodate Burn at least.

Seems to love nothing more than refusing to pass the ball over the top to a winger in behind when it's on, and then holding his hand up in apology. Lost count of how many times I've seen him do this now. The threat in behind now comes from the wingers, and so if the midfield is congested or we're struggling to play through those areas, that ball over the top has to be played. Him and Burn never play those passes or do a terrible job of it. On top of all the other issues they are causing by not being able to carry the ball. Was so bad today.

When he first played left back a couple of season's ago, he pretty much sat as a third centre back. Why is he now flying forward and leaving so much space behind him? Seems to be chasing back too often this season. Also keeps getting too tight to the wingers and just making a mess of things from there. Botman's own goal came off the back of him getting caught too far up the pitch last week and we lost off the back of that. This week again Ouattara kept getting in behind him and it's ultimately led to the loss. He's in line to go to the World Cup next year and so I don't think Howe is going to drop him. If that's the case, we'd better switch to a back three instead, as he's been a disaster at left back.

Yeah, it's so frustrating. We occasionally get a glimpse of what's possible, but not anywhere near enough. Maybe once or twice a game currently. It's quite pathetic. The way we turn down early passes into him to play sideways to Burn and Trippier constantly, is maddening. Especially as those two just give it away anyway. My frustrations with Tonali and Bruno at the minute are through the roof. I thought they'd relish playing passes into him for quick interchanges and the like, especially on the edge of the box when he shows for the pass. Bruno in particular keeps turning that pass down and forcing the issue or taking a terrible shot. Our midfielders really lack subtlety.

As things stand the midfield isn't clever enough or sharp enough to play with this sort of striker. They either take too many touches or are too careless with the ball. They just are incapable of playing it into him early and quickly before the other team get a bunch of bodies around him, and then making themselves available for the return ball. Hopefully Tino and Hall coming back gets us forward quicker and opens up more space for the team and things improve off the back of that. Feel bad for him.

Just pretend I never posted anything man.

We can't even pass the ball to get in the opposition half. I'm talking about bypassing midfield to help with the issue and having enough bodies in there to compete for second balls. This is about getting up the pitch in the first place!

Oh my God ... That's why I said I'd have Woltemade and Barnes up there and three in midfield still to compete for the second balls. It's not that complicated man.

Doesn't need to be. Just challenge for the second balls. It's similar to what was done in the cup final against Liverpool. Isak wasn't up there winning the ball either.

The way things are going I would just play three centre backs. Murphy and Hall at wing back. Pack the midfield still with three CMs. And have Woltemade and Barnes up top. If under any kind of pressure and difficulty playing from the back, hoof it clear and compete for second balls. Have to get ugly if necessary.

Yeah, that's what I've been saying. Someone needs to let Howe know though. I don't think he can see that they are a major issue.

Thiago joined them from Belgium. Point still stands though. To build up the squad take a punt on some of these types for goodness sake.

The full back situation has been so overlooked. I fear you are right in that Trippier and Burn are seen as viable options there still. Mainly because of their character. The style of football we play cannot carry these relics in those positions. Burn is a great centre back option and Trippier should either be an emergency third option at right back only or out of the club. What is concerning, is whether Howe can see this clearly or not. I don't get the impression he necessarily sees that the full back positions are a big problem currently. I don't even remember us looking at anyone in those positions all summer, even with Targett leaving.

If we don't get in two alternate full back options to Hall and Tino in January, we'll be battling with the other relegation candidates all season. Brentford weren't even really up for this game but we kept giving away the ball for them to get back into it. That wasn't enough so we then made sure they got a penalty, despite having one denied unfairly, and also went down to 10 men for added measure. A complete and utter shambles.

Trippier has completely given up. Just letting them do as they please down that side now. Has been skinned in everyway possible.

We have the two worst full backs playing in the league currently. No doubt about it at all.

Just watch Trippier in the build up to this last goal. Why the fuck is he pressing high up the pitch not coming close to getting the ball?!!!

Everything behind him is so crap he's fallen into the trap of trying to do too much on the ball, just like Gordon has been doing.

Even Trippier's corners and crosses stink. So bloody awful.

Burn and Trippier have ruined this season man Look at the difference Hall is making. Should have an assist just then.

Trippier never fucking plays Elanga in when it's on. Can't even execute on the one thing we know he does very well all the time.

Burn again and is off!!! Fucking hell!!! Penalty and down to 10 men. We are finished

And more annoyingly we persist in giving them the ball so often as if they're our playmakers. All the time out wide to them. Where are Tonali and Bruno in getting anything going forward for this team?!

That is a terrible fall for Pope.

My God Burn and Trippier are the absolute pits man.