Gallowgate Toon

Just watched it. Thought it was a solid performance, tbh, considering we were missing 2 of our best players. Our play in 2/3s of the pitch was generally great - lovely structure and some nice patterns of possession. A few good interchanges in the final third too but we're not great at breaking down sides who are sat deep as it is. What a moment from Maxi. Solid point against some good players (but seemingly not a good team). I was surprised at how passive their midfield was.

Murphy has got a decent strike on him, to be fair. Unfortunately, he's always aiming for the fucking post. I think he's got worse. I'm usually fairly relaxed about player performances early on the season but he was also absolutely shite in preseason. Just consistently makes the worst decisions.

It's hard to focus too much on one game early on in the season as Bruno did have a good showing against an even better midfield in City. I just think him being deep reduces the best strengths of his possession game and freedom to dribble through the lines, partly just because he's further away from the action. He's a good long passer but his short & medium passing is absolutely world class. Not a problem against sides where he has the freedom to progress and we want him to be the one to initiate the majority of attacks a la Forest.

I think having Bruno as the deepest CM is great for a decent amount of games but against strong possession midfields or matches where we're likely to be more under the cosh than not, it's a waste of his talent.

Miggy will have 7 more for the season by then.

Will be a decent battle when we play them. Big Joe guna get jealous and 2 foot Paqueta?

Wood's header against Southampton was a banger, tbf.

He's going to be fucking class.

A tough game and another solid test for our midfield. I hope we fare better than the Brighton match where I expected us to be more competitive in the middle. Should be a good'un.

Getting ~30 league games out of him this season would be a big success.

He reads danger well but his execution of dealing with said danger so far has been a bit patchy so far. All good, I think that's just a pace adjustment thing.

Longstaff isn't as bad as he showed last night - he put in some very decent performances during the second half of last season, imo. He's just lacking in minutes and was playing with a lot of other 'cold' players.

When everyone is fit, we may see him starting on the left and ASM moving across to the right. The forwards do seem to rotate positions a lot this season under Howe, mind, with seemingly a lot of license to take up inside forward positions. There should be a lot of opportunities for him to get on the scoresheet regardless. He's capable of scoring long-range screamer too which isn't something any of our attacking players seem to be able to do.

Good workout for a bunch of players with barely any minutes in their legs. Always tricky to play a cup game like that, imo. Thought bar 2 5 minute periods we were in control and didn't seek to push it too much.

I've been watching Tranmere vs Newcastle.

Some people have no chill. First competitive 45 mins in a while. Paully D will clean up in the second half and ping in a half volley to make it 4-1.

Love the way he takes the ball on the turn. Really looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next few months.

Think we've been fine, tbh. Held the ball, created openings, they've only had one shot (which was actually a lovely move, as embarrassing as the lack of recovery pace from Longstaff was) for a team of players who've not played much yet this season. They'll run out of steam and we'll create more openings in the second half. Ref has been a disgrace, like.

I have an irrational dislike of him, even though I think he's a decent player. His bouffant hair at the minute absolutely does my head in

West Ham would be a shit move for Paqueta, not least because he'd have to put up with Rice being a whacky gimp every day.

Pope is an absolute giant. Big Joe and Little Joe are a decent size as well.

Also, another tall player. We're amassing quite the collection of freaks.

I'm an absolute sucker for a player who moves like Henry, like - it's pretty much why I loved Remy.

This would be absolutely mad. Fuck.