Gallowgate Toon

I don't think it was the initial plan but is definitely now an idea as the PL is renegotiating rights (exploring its own channel too, likely to drop in Asia first) and trying to understand their available assets if they're less reliant on broadcast money. There are some new commercial bods in the PL now who are apparently a lot more forward-thinking than previous so I do expect it'll go further down this route. It was also telling in that chat how unpopular we are too. The PL commercial council have been pushing for more parity of commercial rights between clubs - it was a proper case of Big 6 vs. the other 14 (big 6 didn't want it, other 14 did) and was gaining momentum. We've about-turned this year though which means the other 13 hate us (commercially) as much as big 6 do.

Had a chat with a pretty senior person at a club last week and he expects the PL to push for VAR to be sponsored in the next 2 years in line with the introduction of semi-automation It'll be fucking specsavers.

We've got some really underrated technical players going forward, I feel that problem has been a bit overanalysed for a while now. Obvs, the more the merrier though. We're not as good at holding possession as we could be when we're up against it though. That usually comes from a mix of problems at the back and in midfield but I reckon it ultimately stems mostly from the fact that Howe wants us to be progressive as much as possible - it naturally leads to more turnovers. Trippier has been one of the worst this season in our 'bad' performances for ambitious passing from the back leading to counters but he's a technically excellent player. Feels like next moves should be a pacey, young CB who can fill in at FB, and a versatile striker.

Nice. One crucial thing he also brings that back 3 shape is recovery pace as well.

Can't believe how bad he's currently looking, like. Genuinely struggling to do much right in a game, constantly picking the wrong options. Must be maddening.

This month really is the key period, like. If we can get through this week without losing to PSG and hopefully getting the better of Man U, you'd like to think there's some added hope with some players back on the horizon - Longstaff, Barnes, Anderson, and Wilson. Perhaps Botman too. If we get to the end of the month and we're within 6 points of 4th, I reckon we've got a real shot at kicking on in the second half of the campaign.

Simple Jack from Tropic Thunder.

Great game for the neutral. Spurs looked better than expected considering they're missing Maddison, tbf. Huge period for Villa coming up. Some really tricky games, mixed in with random Euro travel too, over the next few weeks.

There are definitely things we can do to improve atmosphere but it does feel like making the jibe today is a bit weird considering it was actually pretty great in parts. Still, glad they've done it if they actually read the replies.

He's so smooth with it. Everything looks effortless.

Think he's been class since the Brighton game, tbh. Would even go as far as to say this is his best run of form for us. Sure, not bagging goals like he was a year ago but his overall game is looking fantastic at the moment (daft moments aside).

Fernandez is evidently a very good footballer but his influence on games is so minimal. Pretty poor defensively, very little cut and thrust in the final third. Does help hold possession relatively well.

Defo not been running as much this season but his technique today in multiple moments was

That felt like a very similar goal to his first against Liverpool. Pass into him and finish.

Thought he was the best footballer on the pitch today, like. Almost flawless.

That cross was a thing of fucking beauty.

One of the best things about being half-decent again is the meltdowns you get to witness. Got to say, Liverpool & Arsenal are currently by faaaar the worst of the lot when it comes to online fanbases. Jumped up, hysterical freaks. The continual lack of self-awareness is staggering as well. They couldn't give 2 shites when they were owned by billionaires far richer than 95% of other club ownerships. Now even wealthier folk have come along, it's all about sporting integrity under the guise that it was all 'organic' Fuck off.

I'm not comparing them as players; I'm saying they're strikers who you could easily class as 'isolated' or 'uninvolved' by design so they're interesting numbers to look at. Isak is naturally involved in plenty of our play so saying he's isolated is, imo, incorrect. Whether we get the ball to him in optimum positions to score is a different story.

Isak is pretty involved in our overall play as well as having strong output where it matters. There are odd games where he's low on touches as is the case for any striker, but, by and large, Isak is either strong or well above average for touches (general and/or in the penalty area), passes, dribbles etc compared to other strikers. If you look at Haaland or Wilson, they're properly isolated in that they're barely involved in anything other than touches in the box. Even someone like Watkins who is perceived to be strongly involved in multiple parts of the game doesn't attempt as many passes or dribbles as Isak does in an average match. As for 'wasting his body' - pressing is a prominent part of the modern game even for elite players; the conditioning and sports science now gives little excuse. Looking at his numbers this season though, Isak is way down on what he does defensively compared to last year - he's bottom tier for all of it. He's not been anywhere near as hardworking or effective this season compared to last based on the eye test and I reckon his sprints/distance covered will be way down from 22/23.

Think Tino is better on the left for this. Palmer loves to drift inside so it's not terrible to have a right-footer player here. With the way we set up rotations on the left between midfield and winger, left back being really attacking isn't as much of an issue either.

Glorious. Arsenal fans will be seething again tonight almost 2 weeks after the event

Pulling an Anderson

He was incredible against Man U and had a big hand in the Arsenal result but Dortmund away and Bournemouth were strange performances - he was getting brushed off the ball particularly easily. Hopefully, it's just that he's been rushed back and this break will give him a chance to catch up a bit more. Such a threat when he's on it.

Interestingly, I think Gordon has reversed some of his previous trends. From memory, he was a pretty shy dribbler when at Everton other than obvious transitions and wasn't very successful at it - now, I believe he's right up there for volume and efficiency. Edit: I do think he's been a bit one dimensional with his dribbling over the last few games though. Turning inside almost always.

Strangely, Trippier was the worst of the lot for it and he's usually our most composed player on the ball along with Bruno. I actually thought Lascelles was very good at finding decent passes out on the day. It should drive home just how important Bruno is, tbh - he's a master at helping is get a grip of games when being pressed or generally when we're under pressure. He's also pretty top notch when it comes to winning his battles and territory.