AyeDubbleYoo

You know every time we win we get 3 points, the same as when liverpool win?

Our game today was the best refereeing display I’ve seen this season I think. Very well done. Fairly easy game to referee I guess, but still.

Wouldn’t be that surprised if Man City buy Lavia back using their clause.

Seems a decent signing for someone on the right terms.

A bigger club?

I find it really interesting. I’m not sure I really want refs to talk to the players or try to negotiate with them. I’d probably lean more towards just applying the rules and saying as little as possible. Guess you could argue it helps to create a better game for the fans, but I’m not sure that’s really the refs job. I think having them come on mic for a few seconds to give a decision would we really good though, including the VAR people.

Have a lot of empathy for any set of fans when they’re in decline and facing a relegation. Especially if they’re used to just PL year after year. Obvs they have plenty of dickheads in the fanbase like everyone does.

Hmm?

We played yesterday, I like this hunger

He would have to graft too. I can’t see a system next season that allows anyone not to work their arse off.

It’ll be done before then easily.

A CM as well. Lavia would be good if Man City aren’t buying him back. And of the other clubs who have him top of their list don’t move quick enough

Even on the super slo-mo I couldn’t tell which way he was going to go

Well we need more players who are good at football.

It’s the style though, isn’t it? We don’t have anyone who really specialises in what he does. FWIW I’m not really set on him anyway, but it would be interesting.

Keane was terrible as well.

What's a shame?

Mick Lowes maybe? For some of the time at least.

Think is a bit harsh, it's pretty clear that he's trying to play with the team a lot more. And work harder running back. He also creates loads of chances, just other people tend to miss them. Obviously after a game like last night it seems like we don't need him, and maybe ultimately we won't, but I definitely think he has tried to come along for the ride.

The first half was an exercise in showing grit and managing the occasion. Of course we were a bit untidy and gave the ball away under pressure, but it was always going to be a scrappy game. I firmly believe we were fully prepared for that first half and it went pretty much as expected. Maybe when we're as good as Man City we can just play our way through those moments, but most teams have to just dig in and battle. Whenever we had the ball you could see we were still trying to play as much as we could.

I've been a little unlucky, Pope, Schar and Isak could easily have returned another handful of points last night. Really just trying to get to the end of the season now, not playing next year.

Keane was shocking all game, but that moment was really cruel

He's been really trying to get on board the Howe train IMO, maybe his body just can't take the strain. I'd probably give him a full pre-season working on strength and stability etc. But even as I'm typing that I'm wondering whether it will really make any difference :/

Changing room looks dire

They're really struggling at the moment. The combination of terrible laws and bad implementation of VAR really makes them look bad. There also seems to be some sort of directive about free kicks and yellow cards that they're taking too far and implementing very randomly. Seemingly you can now clearly stop a counter with a deliberate foul and not get a card, it's really weird. I basically believe the officials themselves are as capable as anyone can be, but the whole setup is just wreaking havoc.