Gallowgate Toon

It's just awful management in key moments - Howe obviously takes responsibility but some of the players should be embarrassed as well. Numerous defensive brainfarts, Isak fucking about after rounding the 'keeper AGAIN for the chance to go up which is crucial in away games. For me, we just don't look a serious enough team.

Fucking awful. Missed key chances in the first half. Dreadful in the second half.

It goes without saying but this is a huge, huge period for us now. We've got a largely fit squad, no international breaks for a while, top teams crunched in Europe, and we've just put in a good performance that should be a momentum builder. Howe has had us on some tremendous streaks in the past; we're due one and this would be the perfect time. Going into January in good form might encourage us to take more risks too...

Love seeing him further forward more often, he's a joyful player when given freedom. His play for the Isak penalty shout was just perfect - the type of ball Tripper used to play regularly that we've massively missed.

He looked overwhelmed first half but that confidence came flooding back after the goal. He was so much snappier and more decisive - it's class when he does a tearing run through the middle while midfielders try to keep up with him.

Just plays the role in such an orthodox way, and his pace is such an asset. I don't think he's always going to be the answer there this season, but that's the beauty of Bruno being RCM, you can switch them in-game pretty seamlessly imo or even explore some alternative shapes.

His set up for these types of games at home is often very good. I thought he could've made subs earlier tonight, we were losing legs on the left at 70 minutes and Hall was being exposed too much. But love that we kept going, and we deserved something from the game.

What a game. Could've done better in areas but you've just got to enjoy that as a spectacle. Just so happy we didn't lose.

Is his lack of mobility really an issue at CM? We'd have plenty of legs in and around him, the squad is full of good athletes. For me, you want him pressing high because he's really good at nicking the ball, and you want him handling things in the final third as much as possible because he's got genuine vision, touch, and control in there.

If Isak is fit then I think he needs to stick with the same starting XI again to try and get some continuity going. It's a side well suited to counters which is what we'll likely play. Gordon has been doing my nut in for the last 2 games but if there's a game he's going to perform in then it's this one - I fancy him against Robertson as well. If it's another no-show then drop him on the weekend. Hopefully, Joe & Jo have proper boots on. If they're on form then they could really help to lock down their right.

Gordon is a big problem for him - time for the bench imo, far too much is breaking down due to him. Did do well for the goal but just about awful apart from that. Hope we persist with some combination of Willock-Tonali-Bruno - the combo will come good.

Easily the best of the bunch.

9 corners without a shot on target is some going. Some absolutely stinking performances from the forwards, yet again. So many poor passes and touches in good positions.

Second half against Brighton: Gordon misses a header from 6 yards Isak is put through by Tonali but inexplicably runs into a defender Gordon is put through but decides to pass back to the 'keeper Numerous half chances as well, one right in Isak's corridor where Hall plays him in.

Isak's finishing has been poor this season - he's pretty much only scored when it's been put on a plate for him, but he'll start converting half chances again soon. Gordon's finishing has massively regressed and he's pretty much never in good positions to score scruffy goals anymore either.

At the time, I wasn't too disgruntled about Barnes coming on but, thinking back, our midfield to win the game vs. Forest was Bruno-Tonali-Longstaff. Should've just gone with that and introduced Barnes later.

Didn't Klopp push for his mate to be Director of Football on an interim basis to try and get his transfers through? Just turned out he was rubbish

Tempted to drop Gordon but he'll likely play. Main thing is the midfield mix - we're likely going to have lots of the ball, we need to enable Bruno in the right positions (if he's fit). Willock-Tonali-Bruno, for me.

Trippier was a huge reason why Bruno playing deeper was less of an issue than it is now, he was such a good playmaker and basically ran the entire right hand side. He's not the future though and we need to adapt - Tino brings a different skillset and is a developing player. Free Bruno!

He has a big problem in Gordon. He's tried to continually back him but, facts laid out, I think he has 1 open play goal and 1 assist despite starting almost every game? Running is all good but they are pitiful numbers for a team trying to challenge for Europe when he's meant to be our next biggest threat after Isak. I think it's become obvious in matches like last night that he needs to free Bruno up as well. That's the biggest problem with playing Longstaff, for me, you lose in-game tactical flexibility because his skillset is effectively RCM or nothing.

I think he's also mastered the art of chasing the lost cause but neglecting fairly important other defensive work as well. Something just looks different about him even though lots of things are still the same - it's hard to put a finger on. I don't think his head has been turned but I do think he might've lost some sight of what made him so good last season; he was an absolute pest, first and foremost. His off the ball movement has seemingly become non-existant.

Also, fuck these stupid international breaks. I'm deluded/sure we smash that if it's the week after Forest.

I was disappointed he started left. The Joe-Jo axis is the whole point.

NUFC at its worst tonight. Flat/expectant crowd, brittle confidence, passive, lacking in spirit. Didn't do the basics well after the first went in, coupled with abysmal output. Heads dropped far too early for my liking.

The confidence drained out of him in real-time.