Gallowgate Toon

Gutted 

Really hope we try and get a similar profile though.

We've apparently liked him for weeks but yet to agree a fee which is the key bit. As Howe said, you need to move quickly to secure good players as there'll always be others sniffing about.

That doesn't mean Chelsea wouldn't have swooped in had we agreed on a number or JP might stall on personal terms, but it's frustrating we can't get over that key hurdle.

I'm worried we're so PSR burnt that we want to engineer the perfect deal, even if it takes us deep into the window. This year is going to be tough, I think it's imperative we get off to a good a start as possible. This is exacerbated by Howe's standards meaning players need bedding in time - preseason is a fantastic leg up for that process.

I've liked a lot of our links so far but this one is by far the most exciting to me. Spent quite a lot of time thinking about Isak/JP link-up over the last couple of weeks 

FFS, was trying to not spend on any of the kits this season but that's right up me street.

Howe was staunchly 4-4-2 when he was at Bournemouth, right? Took him quite a few games to try 4-3-3 with us, from memory.

I think he makes so much sense. I'd be delighted with him.

Still maintain it's a pretty overrated position and many of these 'strategic' people stay no longer than a year or two. More often than not, they just add another layer of ego.

Felt disappointed in him this campaign, tbh, and the only real mark against Howe for me this season is that I don't like the way he's handled him. Seems like a character that needs something to prove to be at his best but Howe hasn't really pushed into that enough.

Lush. Bring on the gimps 

Not loved the management of him all season, tbh.

Arteta used to appear a few times on Revista de La Liga back in the day, aye? Sure he seemed like a decent bloke then. Absolutely despise him now - insufferably arrogant, his preening about the technical area and gesticulating is awful. 

Just makes me love Howe and his level of self-control even more. 

I thought he looked unbelievable, considering. Proper defender.

Just an utter legend.

Absolutely bizarre second half. Felt like we'd prepared all well to have a plan for transitions only so when Jackson went off we shit ourselves.

Ultimately, though, we find ways to get shit done.

Selection of finishes at the minute is canny off. Feathered quite a few volleys where he doesn't really need to hit it first time.

The work he did with that 22/23 side was unbelievable relative to the ability of the XI that played the most (Isak was out for about 4 months etc.). Our incredible defensive record, the way he utilised Bruno, the Tripps-Bruno-Miggy triangle, axis of Joe, Dan Burn at left back  

An absolutely outrageous coaching performance. 

Got to appreciate some of the class players we have on days like today. 

There's absolutely no way that our service to Isak has ever been 'shit'. 

Class 

We owe them one.

Everything City do is chronically slow. I'd hate watching them every week.

His passing definitely hasn't been as good this season/the last little while. Pretty sure he's still high up in terms of through ball stats but feels like his weighting is off more than it was before.

It'll come back. Looking forward to seeing a well-rested Bruno next season, tbh. 

I'm not sure fatigue was the problem today. Felt like we lost tactical battles - we're quite predictable to plan for when you've got a deep squad. No Howe exacerbates that problem massively when it comes to in-game adjustments imo.

Felt like the exact same as at their place 2 years ago. Watkins dragging out to channels and winning the physical battle.

Good tactics from Emery, tbf. One of those games. Lose the battle but not the war etc.