Lenny

Every now and then I feel like that Everton song they walk out to sounds like the Red Dwarf theme music Also I don't think I've ever been such a Man Utd fan as I am today. Shame they can't be depended on for anything.

I agree with the sentiment but those written-off games are just shy of half of our remaining games TBF

If there's consistency with the referee's then there shouldn't really be anything to be frustrated about when there's clear contact.

ASM had a pen denied for far more contact than that earlier in the season. Not that I'm complaining; the safety-first side of me wants an Everton win.

It should be pointed out too though, that he's still the only player in our team that can legitimately create something on his own, so perhaps with some more attacking quality around him he'll improve. It's certainly heading towards make or break for him though.

The rest of his career is very much in his own hands right now. If he can buy into what Howe (and any top/ambitious team) wants, he could be our star player for the coming years (and I'd love it). If he doesn't however, then he'll be gone and will likely never be anything more than a highlight reel player for an average club. He has no better opportunity in his career than he has right now to be at the forefront of something [hopefully] special. It's on him to take it, but the clock is ticking for him as we get closer to to the transfer window.

I do think ASM's lack of discipline off the ball will hinder him under Howe. A good press only works if every player is applying it and if one player drops off then it actually completely opens you up. ASM doesn't do it. I would love nothing more than for him to be our star player as we head into a more exciting era, but he's actually got to do more otherwise he'll be out. He has the opportunity to be the front of something really positive, but he's got to work for it.

A bit of context needs to be had with this I suppose. It was a really frustrating result, particularly given how apparent the opportunity was there to get three points and the position we found ourselves in at the point they scored; but the players have been working and training out of their skin for the past couple of months and the pile up of games has clearly led to them running out of steam. I think it's been quite evident in the last few games and I've also no doubt the injuries are a result of the intensity with which Howe works as well. It can't be understated just how unsustainably incredible the run we've had has been this year. Hopefully we've done enough and got enough to see us through the remaining games successfully.

He's very good at using his opponents momentum against them by taking the ball directly into ground they can't occupy.

Same, I've always had a soft spot for him; he was the supplemental breath of optimism to Rafa, during a time where there was no real reason for any. But it's now probably in both the clubs and his interests to part.

Fair comment, however he's not really shown any particular response to Howe coming in terms of on-pitch output. Given that every player has had equal chance to cement a place in the team, I'd have thought he'd be one of the first to do so, but it's not happened.

Given the number of players we have that have shown such significant improvement since Howe's come in, I'm very surprised to see Almiron hasn't done similar. You would have thought that Howe might've identified him as a player to depend on when walking through the door, given his work rate, but it's not worked out that way. Quite sad to see a notably smiley character seemingly crushed beyond repair at the hands of Bruce.

I'd be quite surprised if Ritchie went within a county of Bruce after he leaves us.

Nailed on to have it revived first game of next season after we lose with a £400m lineup

Why did Bissouma not start today? He's the one several on here have said we should be looking at, right?

I think he's going to be a quality player, but I equally think that given how he plays, he's likely to make a costly rick or two as he gets up to speed.

Really can't fault his effort and he has a good 60% of the necessary tools to be a good player. Unfortunately the 40% he doesn't have is the critical part that makes him simply not good enough. On the assumption we stay up and invest as intended in the summer, I'd be wanting him sold. His ultimate lack of ability makes him just not dependable enough, even as a backup, for where our ambitions appear to be.

Was he? I thought he seemed to be still going strong in the closing stages today.

I thought he was our MotM today; for someone that was noticeably off the pace under Bruce he just relentlessly keeps going now. He seems to be adding to his game with every passing week too - from a limited hard working player to a pretty constant threat now, confident in taking a man on and backing himself to make intricate passes. You'd also think he was left footed given the number of crosses he put in with the left. Murphy really can learn a lot from Fraser - where Fraser gets an inch of space he crosses instantly, Murphy will take another touch or two, completely undoing the opportunity he's just earned himself.

I won't be having that

Sigh.

I am a bit concerned about how limited he's looked for us thus far. He certainly looks lacking in confidence, and we of all fans can see quite clearly how important confidence is, however he needs a break soon otherwise I feel we're going to pass him by with minimal impact. I'm sure he'll pick up a goal or two before the season's out however if this is his baseline then I'm not sure he's going to offer us anything beyond this season (provided we stay up); even as a squad player for where I expect we'll want to be competing.

Really like the look of him, he was instantly dictating the game after he came on and is the type of player that will make the pitch feel 10 yards wider each side. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if he makes a costly mistake or two as he gets used to the division. He seems to like to hold the ball whilst he's manoeuvring to make a progressive pass and can see him getting caught out as he gets up to speed.

I feel like I could rip apart every rating here north of the defence to the point that I don't have the energy to do so. Obsurd ratings.

You cant be unhappy with that. Not every opponent is going to turn up and be shit, it's been a very competitive game. We're both doing our parts and it can go either way. If we do lose from here it'll be disappointing but it won't be through lack of effort.