oldtype

I’m sure he still does if you put him up against fourth division defenders.

We underestimate how hard it is for a player to be this productive at the top level at his age. Feels like he’s in his prime already but has a long way to go in terms of improvement. It’s been forever since I’ve felt this way about one of our young players, but I think we have someone in Gordon who could potentially become truly world class. (the last time I felt that way was Andy Carroll so hopefully I’m not as horribly wrong this time )

Sucks imo. Part of the appeal of this whole thing is getting to see us play against the best.

This sort of thoughtless fawning over strongman dictators just because they can “stick it” to democratic institutions like the free press is precisely why we’ve ended up with the shit politics we have in places like the US and UK right now. Journos aren’t perfect, but put them up next to someone like MBS, Xi, or Putin, and nobody should have any illusions about who the bad guy is in that dynamic.

If I could choose between winning the CL under the current regime and an alternate universe where we had normal, competent owners who tried the best they could but were limited by financial constraints, I’d take the latter ten times out of ten. Unfortunately that’s not the choice we got. It was either fucking Mike Ashley; or getting to be run by competent, well-meaning people but also becoming a propaganda tool of a violent totalitarian regime. I’ve made temporary peace with the latter, but it sucks that those were the options.

There are entire seasons with this club where we really just should have been reading some good books instead.

That went better than expected

I do think the more the memory of Ashley fades and the more we get used to having a “normal” football club, the more grating the idea of Saudi ownership is going to become for a lot of people. Especially if results on the pitch are not consistently great.

I do think Targett is due a chance, and what better timing than after a midweek European tie.

Just twenty-one years old and home-grown. I'll take "squad filler" and be perfectly happy with it.

We have issues but he’s good enough that I trust him to figure them out eventually, and ultimately that’s all that really needs to be said about this guy.

This was our CL baptism of fire and at the end of the day gotta be happy that we escaped with a point. The gameplan went south but ultimately we showed a ton of composure in the face of pressure. Hopefully we’ve got the jitters out of the way and will be more ready to compete in the coming fixtures.

Almost sort of a shot on goal! Progress!

Absolutely snap your hand off for a point here

Burn’s a good player and a lovely human being, but unsurprising that the “have a center back play as makeshift full back in a champions league side” idea was not a permanent solution to our left back position.

Burn is always in the right position on the attack. That’s what makes it more tragic.

I feel like we could still be in this if we just limp our way to halftime and then calm the fuck down.

Have to say I’m already deeply regretting having put money on us.

Every time just dismantling our press like it's nothing

Have to say it's been a while since I've had this "away to Man City and holding on for dear life" feeling.

How

Can't believe we haven't conceded yet

Please just clear it

Fucking hell our defense