AyeDubbleYoo

Didn’t mean to pick, I was just trying to suggest some reasons.

I can think of a few. The back three element, height against high balls, experience with the other unit, he sees Tino as primarily an RB, he wants at least one decent sub to bring on, Tino would be exposed too because our midfield is porous. Probably others. I’m not saying which of those are true but it’s really not hard to put yourself a bit in the manager’s shoes. Edit: soz other people already have loads of reasons

TBF we did sign a world class CM before this season.

I like you so I’ll keep the stream of expletives and threats in my head.

He’s just brilliant at both roles. I think the plan was to have a dynamic, flexible midfield and also to control possession a bit more to allow Bruno to progress. Sadly we only have Longstaff and Miley so that can’t really happen. Te amo Bruno.

Let's go lads!

I’ll talk to all on Wednesday or Thursday.

Lay off the mushrooms pre-game.

Elanga is the big danger really, of course better if MGW doesn’t make it.

Longstaff behind the striker is a truly brave suggestion All your points about him are right though.

You’re better than me, I just made the vague point without any research.

Have we had any games where the result wasn’t in the balance for a significant enough period of time?

I can’t remember if that was confirmed but it definitely seemed like we would be almost certainly buying him.

I can imagine a scenario where Howe knows we need an LB but doesn't want to trigger the purchase of Hall when he thinks he would prefer someone else. That said, at the time Hall came in it was implied that the signing was basically guaranteed, so I dunno.

For someone who likes both sports, the way football players behave really is embarrassing. I don't know how long it's been like this but being an official is almost impossible because of the way players go on. I know this makes me sound old but I've though it since I was about 18

Any fullback will look poor if isolated and exposed by a rapid forward, the same as any CB will. Defending is a lot more about the organisation and the whole team unit than anything else. I don't particularly rate Burn but since he is the generally trusted option I don't really expect him to be replaced every time the opponent has a quick winger.

Does seem logical but at the time it was described like almost guaranteed.

In the abstract, as a fan, I tend to agree. But professional football managers don't really seem to go in for this kind of thing.

Also we don’t know if players have been rushed back and we don’t know if rotating in random kids would have made any difference whatsoever.

Actually forgot we had him.

This one game a week gives us far too much time to chat

I'm not saying anyone expects it, but there seems to be a feeling that this season has been disappointing and that we should be higher.

And we are a good team. We’re just not a team that can have all their best players injured and still qualify for the Champions League.

I don't like to talk about 'expectations' too much because it's a silly football concept. But under Ashley we were happy to just not be a joke and survive as a club, it was a miracle Rafa ever came here at all. Now we've qualified for the CL people tend to overrate the resources the manager has and obviously want the good times to continue indefinitely... that's human nature.

Injuries are absolutely massive, that is the reason for our problems. Don't forget that we have half a championship squad with a few top players in it. Criticise anyone you want how you want, but it's mental to try and assess anything about this season without a massive caveat saying 'everyone has been injured'. Unless you think we should be doing brilliantly with only one PL midfielder available, for example, I really don't know what this debate is about. Not to mention having the hardest fixtures imaginable and also being cheated out of the CL by a ref.