Ronaldo

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.

Unique situation for us this. I hope the moment Man U are even linked with one of our targets he gets a visit in the middle of the night from the Saudi Furio Giunta.

I said on this forum 2 years ago (by all means search it) that relying on Callum Wilson was insanity. I’m a little frustrated hearing about how he’s raring to get back for the umpteenth time.

No, I still hope he is the right fit long term. I’m far from sure of it but he’s absolutely what we needed for stage 1 and I’ll always appreciate his hard work.

No one questioning a manager should be accused of being a mug when we’ve won 2 out of 8 PL games with some pretty comfortable looking fixtures. Fans are always entitled to ask questions. You can love the bloke and not be sure he’s the right fit long term. Out of curiosity what will happen, in your opinion, in the next 8-10 months?

Finish 11th and we’ll see players leave and the club interviewing new management. Fortunately I don’t think we will.

Wilson has been managed very carefully this season to keep him fit but he’s still out for most of the season. I’m tired of hearing questions in press conference which evoke what sounds like Howe drafting love letters to him. I know that may sound harsh but I’d sell him in a heartbeat now. I can’t think of a more injury prone player we’ve ever had.

On course to score more goals than Wilson ever has in the PL to be fair. He’s a better player.

Not on this season’s form. He’s always been a high effort / mediocre quality player but that would be an extremely generous way of describing this season for him. He’s been awful for a while and needs dropping.

Are you watching the games? He’s 10 yards further back than Pope. There’s either an acre space between him and the defence, or they drop deeper to compensate and amplify the issue of space between back 4 and the nonathletic 3 in midfield. I’m not saying it is all on him but he’s just a horrible replacement for Pope in the context of the way we play. Solid keeper in his own right for a Championship side I guess. As for today he was at fault for both goals unfortunately. He doesn’t deserve inordinate amounts of credit for bad finishing and his usual overly dramatised saves.