Yep, the reaction is way over the top. We all know fans would throw a player in at any point because they aren’t professional, but managers (Howe especially) will not do that.
Best I can do is:
GK - Pope
LB - Hall
LCB - Burn/Bot
RCB - Schar (Guehi)
RB - Tino (Trip)
ACM - Bruno (Joe W)
LDM - Tonali (Joel)
RDM - Miley (Long)
LW - Barnes (Joe/Joe)
CF - Isak
RW - Gordon
Dunno.
I don't know if it's because everyone is out of form, but I'm trying to write down the lineup I would go with and it's pretty hard to decide on one where someone isn't out of position or someone isn't really a good option for the position.
Decline IMO means steadily getting worse, which I wouldn’t say we are. This season has been poor and inconsistent but we’re not steadily getting worse. We’re just struggling to get consistently better.
Fairly depressing bar to be arguing over mind
Can’t see any way they promised him the captaincy just for his contract. They might have thought Trippier was on the way out and we needed a passionate captain who loves the club and plays every game.