Ronaldo

There was zero analysis there. He played very well tonight.

It would be a nice way to go out because (if he plays again) realistically he’ll at some point find himself far more exposed than tonight and someone will eat his asshole alive.

That type of game where we sit deep is absolutely made for him. I do think it’s a very different story when we’re trying to break teams down.

Gotta figure out a way to get him consistently firing on all cylinders. So so good.

Where’s the love for this?

Surely we have multiple kids better than Ritchie who’d benefit from such a game?

Does it omit the dozen or so times we lost 4-0+ when he threw the towel in? I liked Colo a lot for a while but post 2013 he was garbage. An easy mark CB.

Mental. Schar is far, far more accomplished with the ball at his feet. Not a coward who gets bullied by Shane Long either.

Quite. An insane post.

He’s actually better than Coloccini at absolutely everything but it’s largely taken for granted, whereas Colo was revered. Shows how far we’ve come, I guess.

Keefaz! Hello.

Been brilliant. I wasn’t 100% sold on him last season but he’s one of the first names on the sheet now given no one else gives you what he does.

They went out and bought a world class player and identified a manager who’d bring something different. Can’t begrudge them that. They figured out what was missing and changed it.

He’s a safe bland bet who won’t offend anyone.

It is very frustrating. I have no doubt he’d both start and thrive for all of our ‘rivals’.

A good post.

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.