clintdempsey

Most games in the PL are difficult. That’s kind of the challenge? And what we’ve prepared for? The least challenging game would probably be Southampton at home which we managed to make difficult enough last week.

No need to panic I agree. But there are worrying signs so far over the first 1.5 games. The top 8 will probably be tighter than in a long time and we need to keep pace IMO. Playing well, showing an identity and losing is one thing, but we’ve been turgid. This team needs a couple of new signings to give everyone energy.

We also tried the kick it right out of play tbh. Of which Pope is the undisputed master but J7 is making a surge for the crown.

Performances like the Southampton game and this one (on top of loads of our away games last season) is the reason why it would be irresponsible as fuck NOT to strengthen the starting 11 this window. On this evidence we’re nowhere near being on pace to threaten at the top end of the table. What happened to “Intensity is our identity” and having a way of playing. Must admit I’m getting a bit concerned bedwetting or not.

What the fuck are we doing? Piss poor.

Not great so far. Will probably be hard to live up to my pre-game 4-0 to the Toon hopes. 🙃 As usual we’re having trouble keeping the ball (Longstaff, Pope and Murphy the main culprits so far as expected) and we’re also somewhere in between pressing and sitting back. Gordon looks off the pace as well. Can only get better I suppose.

Love Dan Burn me. Fuck the haters. Also it would be nice to not have Steve Bruce and Steve McClaren as our only winning managers away at Bournemouth. Have a feeling we’ll crush them today. 0-4 with a well overdue Isak hat trick and BDB hammering home from a corner.

Not much to be afraid of this far. Proper boring game.

For me both sides can crush and burn tbh. We need fewer competitors for the European places not more.

To be nice and give ETH the benefit of the doubt Zirkzee will probably need to get up to speed with the PL and needs a few more weeks of training before starting. It’s not like Bruno F is a piss poor alternative. Dare I say it’s bordering on sensible management? 🤮

A draw (riddled with injuries for both sides) would probably be best for our aspirations this season tbh. As unfortunate as that is.

A draw (riddled with injuries for both sides) would probably be best for our aspirations this season tbh. As unfortunate as that is.

I’d take Elanga or Kulusevski at this point. If we could get either of them for 30-35 million Howe would do wonders with them IMO. They’re different in styles but have some rather interesting skill sets imo. Kulu with his work rate and creativity, Elanga with his sheer pace and movement. Two years under Howe and they’d be worth 50-60 million or be really useful players for where we’re at.

Weren't we linked to Kossounou earlier in the summer as well?

However poor we’ve been. Pawson has been truly shit.

Thank fuck Jo!

Don’t play him then if he’s not up to speed. Weird decision based on this.

Well, it’s worked for them as well. We’ve been frustratingly poor today even up until the red card. Standing off them, poor on the ball and the same fucking gap between midfield and defense as last season. The performance so far has been the opposite of what I expected.

Fucking hell. What the fuck are we doing?

Not the best of starts this. Come on lads!

They’d probably ask for 45-50 million or something daft. For that money you’d have to be better than most of the current options. Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali and a fit Willock (I know, I know) are better imo. Gallagher is a more effective Longstaff in my view (even though Longstaff scored more last year).

I’m not disputing that. IMO we don’t have a squad that is ahead of what we had last season. Not with the injuries (Lascelles, Botman, Miley and Wilson) we have and we really aren’t in a position to hope/expect for an injury-free season with our history. Again, IMO, we’re a couple of quality additions away from giving ourselves the best possible chance of top 5 (if that’s indeed the goal). Don’t really see what’s bed wetting about that?

I probably should have added “at the start of the season” which is what I thought you were talking about. ie where we’re at now. First game we hade Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Anderson and Longstaff all involved. This year we’ll have the above plus Willock minus Tonali and Anderson?

Tbf he had that last season as well. (Available players) Didn’t really work out though. I think we all (including Howe) expected a couple more in by now to give us more depth by adding quality. Death, taxes and an injury ravaged NUFC are the most certain parts of life. This far it’s been a piss poor window, that might change in the next two weeks.

Of the realistic PL CB’s we could lure he’s definitely in the top 3 I’d say. I’d have him above Gabriel, Van de Ven, Ake and Akanji as well taking age and suitability for our way of playing into account.