Gallowgate Toon

Did something it feels like he used to do a lot but hasn't in an age... Make a run in behind the defence. Some good efforts today.

Love the feeling of hope this guy gives. Seems a tremendous person.

What was Howe's record like against big sides? Feels like his style of play means you can nick the odd result against a 'big team'.

Very nervous first 20 but we've found some pockets since and the game is starting to open up a bit which I think is in our favour. Not convinced about this shape. Feels like it limits passing options forward too much.

Come on!

That's the trade off, though, isn't it? If you start being fluid in shape, it should theoretically make it easier for the other team to get through if you turn the ball over with their man over. Just seemed like we felt their weakest threat was to lob in crosses so we closed the space off in the middle and have players close enough to eachother to be able to break. At the time, I quite wanted us to play 4-4-1 to keep Maxi on the left, but it would've probably just isolated Wilson a lot.

I'm going to remain positive. We're often competitive in games, other teams, amazingly, have actually lost more than we have this season. If we can turn the tide on a couple of those draws before Christmas then we could just stay within enough reach for a big January to blow the doors off. Tbh, this is probably hugely naive, but I'm relaxed about relegation. I still feel like I'm basking in the club feeling resurgent - things like actually liking a manager & owners, having hope for the future, our atmosphere actually returning. This is all under the assumption that the owners don't jump ship if we go down, of course...

It looked like we opted to try and keep shape more than anything else, which is pretty understandable for such a long stint with 10.

For anyone slamming Howe for playing Clarke & Ritchie, this works both ways. I never wanted to see Shelvey again after his sending off, and we'd all seen how pathetic Joelinton had been for pretty much his entire time here before the last couple of games. Lewis had never had a solitary good performance for us that I can remember; he always looked like a 15-year old playing against men. This is what happens when someone new comes in. They have ideas and beliefs some of which will be proven wrong but you expect they'll learn from quickly. Even world class managers need this time to figure things out - see Conte.

Quite looking forward to this. Expect we'll go for it with a no fear attitude and it'll be a goal fest. 0-4.

I didn't think CM was the problem today, like. They were stretching us down flanks very well.

I'm pretty certain we played 4-4-2 in the first half, like. We then switched to 343 when Murphy and Almiron came on. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but feels like we should've been from the off at a team rocked last week. Thought the subs were too delayed as well when it was obvious things hadn't changed 10 mins past half time. Didn't expect anything from this one really so hasn't changed my mind much.

Need to change shape and personnel.

Think we need to get to 3 up top somehow in the second half. Getting dominated physically by their CBs.

Feeling optimistic as for this Reality is we'll probably have a go, actually score and play some good football, but be undone on the break a few times.

Just takes small margins. Norwich went 10 games and have now won 2 on the bounce... Form can quickly change. I'd say I'm a 5/6 at the moment.

That was class in so many ways. We looked much better going forward but some brainless moments. Thought they were poor in the second half and we deserved it from there, but that's not the way it works obvs. Atmosphere was brilliant as well. Was bursting with pride on a few occasions. The change in performances was more stark than I was expecting.

I'm fine to clean slate it. Come on!

I was gutted about this and still am, but I'm confident that the actual preparation has been done to go and win the game tomorrow. Really looking forward to seeing how we play.

Been excited for this for about a week, ffs. Can't wait for the pre-match buzz.

Feels like the next Josh King... I think if he's going to be successful in a certain position for us then it's going to be out wide. It's where he has the best physical advantage.

To be fair, we massively need one. Dubs is great but has a patchy fitness record. Everybody else is tragic.

The type of football he plays, you'd think Brentford would be just about as perfect a first game as possible. Not a great side, on a bit of a downward turn of form etc. Get the players up-for-it and out the traps early with the crowd bouncing. I'm most excited to see how transformative even just a couple of weeks might be for our attacking play.

I feel way more excited watching that than the vast majority of our games The standing still comment is absolutely perfect. I really, really hope he does well here (feeling more confident that he'll be great now).