AyeDubbleYoo

I really need to remember not to play this next season.

I always expected us to make Europe, question is just what type of Europe.

Thought Kossounou looked very good for the bits I saw.

He’s a really clever player and seems to play with a lightness and freedom which is nice to see. Combine with liking to keep things simple and follow the textbook for shooting etc, makes him very dangerous.

Not sure any team in the PL has three capable strikers.

Not due to the system really, due to the midfield injuries.

Exactly right, defending is all about units. Botman had a decent game overall I thought.

I would only swap Howe for Pep in the PL and, given this is meant to be the best league in the world, that means he’s a brilliant manager.

I get the point but it’s really not that bad IMO. The bigger problem is the midfield, which would lead to almost any LB being vulnerable.

FWIW I’ve never really rated Burn as an LB and I was criticising him even when we were good. I’m just saying that from a manager’s POV there must be a lot of factors to consider. And also, it’s just one individual selection so is quite a small factor in our results.

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