Gallowgate Toon

Maxi was very rarely ever the answer in those types of matches. He was always much better in games with space to attack. The creative player thing is, imo, a bit overrated. Our attacking numbers have routinely been very good going forward under Howe, in terms of underlying stuff and actual output. Bit of a rut this month which is kinda obvious to a degree. I do think we desperately need another wide forward now though.

Did play a fantastic cross for Wilson, tbf.

We play the ball so slowly away from home at the minute. We're trying to control tempo more but it's just too predictable. It's like watching us in January '23.

Another thing that is officiated wildly differently between ref teams as well.

The amount of shite Barnes gets for being one of the most productive wingers in the league over the last 5 seasons or whatever it is

The Brighton game was odd in that we actually had the better chances, imo, despite their superiority in general play. 2 very scrappy goals either side of a pinger. Feels like in recent away games in the league that we've had plenty of the ball so, in theory, should be in decent control of the game but we're too ambitious with passing and seem to leave gaps that are vulnerable to counter.

Szob is getting pelters for being shite for a while from Liverpool fans, FYI. Not convinced the plan to make him a CM will work out long term.

Bournemouth have far better players than Luton, tbf. This'll be physical though which is where we're struggling to maintain decent levels - say what you want about technicalality etc. you need a base level of fitness to execute any plan. Sneaky 2-1 win for us.

Wilson has consistently barely been in games for us until the box. His stats for touches, passes are bottom tier but he's obviously class where it matters. Isak averages far more.

Aye, very frustrating to see him getting longer minutes. I'm sure he follows instructions well and is a leader but he can barely do anything productive.

Gutted about this knowing who is left in the competition. Just couldn't have an even slightly easier draw FFS.

What's Raphinha's injury record like? He's a good presser so it'd be nice if he's actually robust.

Ashworth is a cut throat operator and he'll apply this to his own career as much as anything. The fact Man U are targeting him at all could be a sign that they're trying to get their act together. He's not actually very well liked on the playing side from previous roles. Meant to be arrogant and canny snakey but everyone knows he's good at his job.

Aren't Chelsea absolutely shite against low blocks? Sitting deep for 45 and getting some big guns on at half time to go for it sounds pretty viable.

The main problem with Miggy is that he plays to the pattern almost 100% when on the right, there's practically no deviation from it. Even if there's space for him to attack and he has legs on his opponent, it's still most often the same move which really slows us down. And his lack of right peg too

The superfan breakdown about the Sunderland tickets has been frustrating as fuck to see today on Twitter based on evidently shite numbers.

Bolster the forward line and GK are the 2 priorities for me now. I think the main thing is that we make moves quickly though. We're at a pinch point of the season now where there's still loads to play for and we're not too far adrift in the league.

We're so close to the transfer window now that it's worth taking the risk, imo. We need to address the Isak-Wilson situation regardless, whether we solve it directly or give more options indirectly.

More opportunities for ads

Think take-on stats can be a bit iffy, tbh. Criteria for a dribble or being dribbled past is weird too, iirc. There was a stat somewhere that Doku had taken on TAA 7 times or something - watched the clips and I'd say he only beat him twice From the eye test, I think he goes past players well but his natural inclination is almost like a playmaker who likes to combine.

Honestly couldn't give 2 shits about his shooting. That's not what we bought him for at all and his relatively decent goal output for us has been a bonus. Not sure who made the comment about his tackling but I'm sure Bruno has excellent defensive numbers generally. Gets through so much work, reads the defensive side of the game so well.

Thought he was pretty good today, tbh. Unlucky with his shot off the bar, loads of nice bits of interplay, an assist. Considering he's playing through a knock then that's not bad going at all.

Feels like we really learnt from the 10-man game earlier this season. Liverpool are obvs a better side but we chose to up th tempo really well in the second half.

Thought he was bright when he came on and liked that he took up flexible positions, Zinchenko-style.

Boomers will say it's not a red but he goes into Longstaff's head with some force. Very easily could've knocked him out. Dangerous as.