LiquidAK

Once again massively let down by individuals. Genuinely not sure how you coach around errors like the ones from Isak (twice) and Pope (once) today. Ridiculous goal to concede and ridiculous chance to miss. Similar story against Brighton. Disappointing performance overall but not terrible away from home against an in-form team. Performances over the last 4 games still show an improving trajectory despite the results falling off a cliff. I'm not worried yet, just need to hold our nerve here and back the players and the manager through a tricky period.

Eddie really needs to be squaring that to Joe there

What the actual fuck is wrong with Isak. What the fuck

That was a really smart pass from Miggy to Big Jo there

Hall looks quite lively at least

Frustrating as fuck to concede such a soft as fuck goal out of 2 glaring individual errors, put us straight onto the back foot and we're struggling to break out of that pattern

How does a great shot stopper let himself get beaten there. Come on Pope, man

Fucking hell

Only saw from just before our goal, but feels like we're playing okay? Marginally second best but well in it

Missed the start of this, just turned on and we score a good team goal. Lovely stuff

Oof. No Gordon is a huge blow. Hope Miggy has a throwback game, he's had enough of a rest, should have even more energy than usual

Play like we have the last 3 games and we've got every chance of taking something from the game. Will be tough regardless, they're in great form and despite our improved performances I'm not sure you can say the same for us. I reckon we get a hard-fought point today, and then knock them out of the cup under the lights at St James' in the week. Bit of momentum going into a home game against a faltering Arsenal team next weekend and suddenly things aren't quite so doom and gloom.

Yup, undeniably limited but he always put the effort in for the team. Can't hate that even if I'd of course have preferred Isak fit and starting ahead of him every day of the week.

I mean you can check the tapes, I've been saying he was underappreciated and didn't deserve the dogs abuse he got since way before we sold him. I'm not saying he's suddenly oozing class, or that I'd want us to buy him back by any means (I absolutely wouldn't) - but I haven't exactly changed my tune in regards to thinking he's not a terrible player despite his struggles here. Be lying if I said it wasn't fairly satisfying seeing a few of the Always Miserable gang having to watch him bang them in, even if it's a purple patch

There's no need to be upset

He was what we needed at the time providing a focal point and holding up the ball when he had none of that. Assuming Wilson had stayed fit even part of the time (I know) you'd say we let him go at the right time too once Isak was fit and up to speed. It was a successful transfer for us both in and out. Lad gave his all every match and the usual suspects were particularly cunty about him regardless (best fans in th' wuuurld). It's great to see him making them look so stupid tbh.

Said at the time he got way too much stick and did a lot for the team that went unsung. Didn't quite envision him turning into the kiwi R9 though Pleased it's working out for him.

Those aren't exactly the easiest set of fixtures tbf, and the 3 this season are all games we played well in. I'd be inclined to give that 3 a longer run of games against a variety of opponents before writing it off entirely

I'm convinced a solid portion of the fan base don't actually watch the games, just see the result and go from there

I hope we'll be able to spend more without it coming to that after a quiet couple of windows. Definitely needs freshening up though so if that's the only way I think I could live with it

Agree broadly - only bit I'd come back on is we did create chances today, if we get Isak 1 on 1 on the regular he's scoring a boatload, today that just didn't happen and we suffered for it

I do think there's a need for a little perspective. It's a hugely disappointing result, but the last 3 games we've played reasonably well, including a point against the best team in the league/world. Things might start to look a little bleak given our next few games, but our good start to the season has given a good foundation to push on from after that, we won't be cut totally adrift even losing against both Chelsea and Arsenal (and you never know, those aren't guarantees). Still early in the season, seen an improvement performance wise. A sharp Isak, bit of confidence and we can get going again imo

It's getting to the point where Gordon 1 on 1 I just don't think he's going to score. No idea what's happened to him since last season, no idea if the stats back it up but he felt more clinical

Understand people's frustrations after such a limp second half, none of the subs made a positive difference beyond Barnes for the first few minutes. Can't blame Howe for two of our main men completely fluffing their lines multiple times though, laying this entirely at his door is uber reactionary. He should take some of the blame for not doing enough to win the game in the second half, but also should have credit for that complete dominance for the first 30-40 minutes

Yeah, it's a cliche but the manager can only provide a platform for them to create chances, he can't put it into the net for them.