Gallowgate Toon

It's a nice bit of analysis from Clery re: Phillips. Think it highlights part of the intended long-term defensive plan with Tonali too as he's quick for a CM - he should, in theory, be an excellent drop back in option for when Bruno roams. He got back excellently against Villa on a number of occasions. Still don't think just chucking a DM in will automatically help as it'll create other problems in our buildup. Based on the video, adding more pacey options to the backline might be a bigger deal. What was good about Phillips' stats were that he's evidently got a decent amount to his game in possession and that feels like a good addition. Good tackler as well, obvs.

So frustrating seeing how topsy turvy the league is (as always) and we've had the worst month in fucking ages.

Inspired by West Ham We'll have had a better rest for this and there's not much expectation going into it. Good that someone like Miggy only played 55 mins against Forest - he is more useful in games like this if he's in good condition to do the leg work as there'll be inevitable pressure (and space to break into). Joelinton hopefully in good shape to start and we may even have another body on the bench back for it. There's the mental aspect too - the players know the worst of the fixture congestion is over now and the requirement to hyper-manage minutes is lessened. We're not in emptying tanks territory obvs but better than before. I don't really expect anything other than a defeat really but a performance to build on is an absolute must after Forest. Expecting Joelinton and Tino to start.

If it's true, my bet is Graeme Jones.

Phillips is a good player who has been in an excellent environment for the last 18 months, he could get up-to-speed very quickly. A loan deal wou view to permanent is a fantastic option.

Having Gordon in the spots that Almiron picks up when entering the box would be fantastic. Miggy finds himself in byline areas a lot but refuses to play cut backs. We've seen Jacob Murphy look pretty good at RW so there's no doubt in my mind that Gordon couldn't be very effective there. He also had a very decent left peg to mix things up.

Knowing Howe, we will go on a class run very soon. Even today, I thought we played some absolutely lush football in that first 30 minutes - when we nail that coordinated one-touch passing, it's easily the best stuff I've seen us produce in my lifetime. I'm looking forward to seeing us closer to full tilt again in the coming weeks, hopefully with some extra hungry players back and a couple of additions too. We usually get shite all at Anfield so it's all about putting in a really good, unified performance for me. Something to build on going into the next run of games.

Think he's largely been class for months now, tbh, and he was the only player in the CL run that looked properly up to it in each game.

At least someone can come back from 2 down Think Villa have looked pretty pap the last few games - got away with it at Brentford a bit. Maybe a wee slide incoming. Shame we've been wank and not caught up a jot.

Felt like Dubs was worth a look until Jan to prove his worth but he's been shite. We need different things from a 'keeper from when he was #1. Would definitely go for a 'keeper this Jan. Surely sacking one of the reserve GKs off would be relatively inexpensive.

When he missed that attacking header

Wood's second just watched it back for the first time - 5 of us back, Wood on his own, and he fucking does us a kipper He finished like he had a point to prove.

There's absolutely no way sitting back at 1-1 against Forest would've been acceptable at home to 'conserve energy'. We went for it to try to kill the game early and we had the lion's share of possession to manage tempo and energy, as we have done in lots of matches recently. We should've resigned it in a bit but it's the right idea and served us very well at home for years. Regardless of whatever tactical approach is taken, it's going to need a level of energy to win duels, territory, battles. There's no successful team around that doesn't do this, this isn't walking football.

Looks a mixture of fuming and knackered in his NUFCTV interview.

Tbf, he didn't look that fit when on. Hudson-Odoi (iirc) absolutely burned him which is strange for Tino as he usually shows good pace.

Who have we bought since last summer, other than Gordon, who is an athlete first, footballer second? Not a dig, just can't remember. Feels like the vast majority of purchases have been pretty technical for a while. Yeah, they need to have some athletic ability, but most of the best pressers in the squad are from the eras before - Willock, Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton, Longstaff. And I'd add that even with Gordon that I think he has underrated technique and we felt like we could work on him becoming a final third maestro who is blessed with athletic ability.

Madison is a twat and that's the reason we didn't sign him. Whether that's right or not is a different question.

Great. Nickson and Ashworth are the other 2 key votes though, along with the board.

What is a Howe player? Folks go on like we're some team of basketballers who have no actual ability. We've been one of the most prolific teams going forward for well over a year for a reason. We create well and finish well - we can be streaky, just like everyone else. Nerd lol alert but we've massively underperformed xg over the last 5 games but we're largely on target for 18 months. Howe targeted Bruno and Trippier as key signings, both excellent technicians. Isak too.

He has no individual say, there has to be unanimous agreement across the team to get the transfer in.

Rather than stay measured at 1-1, our response seemed to be push even more forward. Daft as we'd been relatively well measured up until that point, bar a few breaks. Only thing I can think is that we know we're still a bit leggy so are trying to get games wrapped up before 70 minutes.

I think we'll do something as there are financial implications to inertia as well as footballing ones. My worry is that we'll wait due to being stung by the injury situation.

One of the weirdest things I've ever seen at the game.

There are loads. We've not been top of the pressing charts for ages, iirc.

Him doing total football is class when we're on a roll but really not what's needed when we're up against it.