Ronaldo

He’s utter tosh and gets away with it because he’s a Geordie. Massive weakness who everyone knows to target.

We’re not getting anywhere near the best out of him. It’s not that difficult to comprehend.

He’s a great player, not Jacob Murphy. There are a dozen Champions League regulars who’d gladly build their attack around him.

I’m sure that’s tripe but realistically things are going to have to change quite a bit if we’re going to hold onto him.

We’re very lucky to have them both. CB is the strongest part of the team with everyone fit.

I really hope that’s sarcasm. Alan Smith is just about the worst player I’ve ever seen in our shirt. Factor in the financials and the number of appearances and he wins that award hands down.

I really hope that isn’t Howe’s solution to the issue of getting the best out of Isak, mind; just play Wilson instead.

It’s not really fine, though. We’re going through a transitional phase now where at home most teams will block deep against us and away, a lot of teams will come at us and stretch the game.

There was a moment on about 15-20 minutes when he got the ball in a bit of space in their half, took 3 touches to get the ball under control and then lost it through poor execution and a lack of willingness to carry it. Really weird. Not sure what’s up with him.

Well cheers for that, but unsure what you’re going on about. I’m behind Howe and keeping things in perspective. 2 games is only games, as genuinely pathetic as both performances were. Ultimately we can all be calm about it. We’re owned by winners now, not Mike Ashley. They’ll do what it takes to see us win.

We haven’t signed anyone to remotely adapt the way we play, and you know that.

I don’t think it’s just about results though. We have stood still in terms of the evolution of the side. And Spurs look better having signed the player we should brought here whatever the cost. Liverpool too - as iffy as they look defensively there’s no way they aren’t getting 75 points + this season with the signings they’ve made.

Feel bad for him. Really deserves better than the scraps he’s feeding on.

Almiron is unwatchable at the moment. Trippier’s legs are on the way out, unfortunately. The latter will need to be rested sensibly this season.

He’s an average player, no hatred here. He’ll be third choice soon.

No one is actually implying they want him gone are they?

I didn’t say he was tactically one dimensional as such, but as a team we are. We can’t counter attack for one. It’s genuinely embarrassing watching us try.

I’d love him to succeed here, I really would. I think he will, and I have to think that given I live amongst Man U and City fans who’ve relentlessly been telling me I’m wrong and he’s not the man to take us forward beyond the short term. On the other hand, we’re a one dimensional team who beat the opposition with running, pressure and forcing errors. The lack of intelligence and guile on the field stinks sometimes and I’ve seen little concentrated effort to remedy that in the transfer windows and the lineups. There’s too much insistence on playing a settled side too. Bobby and Rafa are streets ahead tactically of the other managers we had because they made proactive and preemptive changes during games and between games. We need to see a lot more of that mentality.

What’s the aim then, if we’re not capable of challenging for top 4 despite the investment?

We finished 4th last season. We’ve spent £130m to build on that. Is anyone remotely confident we are capable of finishing top 4 again? Genuine question.

This isn’t *that* much of an exaggeration, mind. Mike Ashley isn’t in charge any more.

9 out of 10? We’ve spent £70m on reserve full backs and Almiron / Joelinton are still starting every game.

True, unfortunately. Second best in everything.

Midfield repeatedly looking at each other with outstretched arms. They don’t have a clue what they’re supposed to be doing.

100%. So predictable and utterly reliant on mistakes from the opposition.