Ronaldo

There’s no chance of Shepherd appointing Rafa or Rafa coming here over Liverpool - in response to your last paragraph. If anything failing to reach the CL would’ve just strengthened their resolve to get him (he had initial talks in April iirc). I know you touch on this but even if we’d beaten Southampton nothing less than a win at Anfield would’ve done. I just can’t see it. And why single out the OG? There was nearly an hour of football left. The bigger moment is Shearer’s penalty miss against Wolves a few days before that which unquestionably cost us 2 points and for various reasons meant Bobby was a sacked man in waiting.

Ewood Park really needs knocking down. I’m all for old school grounds but everything about that place is appalling.

Not relevant to last season.

I’m sick of reading garbage like this mind. We finished 11th with Chris Wood up front, Shelvey in midfield, Fraser out wide, Dubravka in goal etc. If we’d finished 11th last season on the back of spending hundreds of millions the manager would’ve been sacked and rightfully so, tbh.

A genuine momentum builder in front of our own fans would be nice.

Worse teams than Wolves have done it twice this season.

There’s a reset button on this season that we (he) just can’t seem to press. Wolves at home, good omen.

Not in the league as he’s too integral and depth isn’t there. He must’ve played close to 40 games already this season though and almost every minute too. Could’ve done with a rest tonight. Lovely penalty mind and I was most confident with him as a taker.

Yes he was brilliant.

Agree, sadly. Too many look like they don’t have a clue what their role is. We all know it: we either break teams down by attrition through running or we are almost a submissive presence in the game. There’s no just plan if plan A doesn’t work.

Nope. Pope, Joelinton…

Thing is, having Willock LCM mitigate the issues somewhat with starting Burn.

Yes but I have to balance my intrinsic need to moan about something with love for Eddie - and injuries are generally faultless. It’s a thankless task.

So what you’re trying to say is that my expectations are completely unrealistic given the general constraints in place for the club?

He’s not our primary striker, nor should be treated like one given his unreliability and the fact with everyone fit we’re genuinely better without him. Poor form is down to a number of things; Howe’s still a very good manager in my book but he doesn’t get a free pass. You saying with the injuries we currently have we’re nowhere near a top 10 side is absurd. I don’t think 37 points from 26 games is over-performing.

Wolves will likely go above us today and you think we’re over-performing because 32 year old Callum Wilson in injured as per? Have a word.

Really need to move away from players like Longstaff. So untalented physically and technically. No hiding / lack of effort mind.

Can’t be massively critical of him tonight but that midfield 3 is absolutely atrocious, has been since Joelinton’s injury and nothing has been done to remedy it.

What is it with keepers and Hollywood saves at the moment? I swear I see one every game. Bring back David Seaman.

We absolutely annihilated Palace, just couldn’t score.

Not even worth discussing. Unless we have another injury crisis it’ll be a flat 3 in midfield. Hope Tonali will come back effectively a much more PL refined player. No reason he can’t kill it.

Missed one league game through injury in over 2 years - and that was because of the PL concussion rules. He is teflon.

A point behind us and they won a trophy 9 months ago. I don’t get this.

I meant his training schedule. He doesn’t train for 3 days after playing. If that isn’t being managed carefully I’m not sure what is.

That is absolute bullshit. What I actually questioned was letting him leave without a squad replacement with 4 months of the season remaining.