Gallowgate Toon

60% possession 23 shots 9 shots on target 12 corners And we still couldn't make it count. Diabolical.

I think citing patterns in a play in a game where we've had many opportunities to make it count but players have fluffed up is a bit of a stretch, soz.

We're playing Cambridge.

It's not primarily decision making though. It's poor touches, heavy passes, shite attempts to finish chances.

Really don't see this one on him, tbh. He's played a strong team but the players haven't delivered any moments of quality despite having had plenty of the ball and opportunities to make it count. Joelinton & ASM have been anonymous which is even worse than playing poorly.

ASM has been an absolute disgrace today, tbh.

I think this is a potentially important quote in relation to how quickly Howe will play new signings in, btw. I feel like I remember reading that he didn't often chuck players straight in at Bournemouth; he preferred to work with them a bit first and then would look to ease them in. Difference here is that we're, on the surface of it, signing players of a better calibre, and we don't really have the time to mess around. Still, I don't think he's going to be chucking in a new striker and CB next weekend, unless they're of ridiculous quality and/or already have PL experience.

Same. I'm absolutely addicted, at the moment. Any spare time between meetings & urgent work, I'm refreshing NO like a madman. It's fucking great.

We must be shipping a couple out if we're seriously targeting 2 CBs in this window. I just can't see Lascelles being ousted as a starter this season as we're going to have to balance new incomings with squad harmony to see out the year - he's a big voice in the group, rightly or wrongly. Botman feels like a good partner for him if we're going to play deeper and continue to focus on the counter.

How was Coutinho at Bayern? Seems absolutely bizarre what's happened to him at Barca and it's easy to conclude he's finished/checked out, but could just be a case of a bad match between player & cloob. When he's on form he's absolutely majestic so it could be some find by Villa. Always wary of stars coming back down a notch though - feels like it never works out.

The pen thing isn't good but it's only a few games - sometimes bad/freak form happens. What's more important is what he's like over a longer period. Has he conceded pens since? He's been a seemingly major part of a defence that's conceded less than a goal per game over the last few seasons. Can he be that error prone?

He's played a lot for Sevilla over the last few years and they appear to have had a pretty mean defence while he's been there. Love a mad defender, like.

CM was biggest priority for me before the window and it still is important, although I think it's interesting that it seems like our prioritisation of it has cooled since we moved to 4-3-3. We do look more stable in that shape, but it relies on Joelinton keeping his form up which doesn't feel that realistic. And we still need someone to come in to protect the defence properly. Suggests that Howe is perhaps looking to keep the shape compact for the rest of the season with attacking focus on the counter?

He only arrived at lunchtime yesterday 3pm announcement for me.

So fucking exciting, man.

Hasn't Simeone already said it's up to the player now? Suggests the agreement has been made? If so, wouldn't be surprised if Trippier's team are doing a bit of the ol' waiting game.

I know it looks like it on the surface & the reaction is hilarious... but have we actually 'played the system' here?

Hayden has really struggled this year; I wonder if the knee has been limiting him. Either way, he's absolutely not the standard of player we require even when fully fit. Neither is Shelvey, really, but when he's motivated he does have some decent qualities about him. If we're going to continue to play a midfield 3 for the rest of the season, Shelvey will do as one of the trio, but he absolutely shouldn't be the deepest midfielder. No matter how motivated he is, his defensive reading of the game is poor and he lacks the athleticism to make up for the things he misses. Hopefully, come mid-Jan, we're looking something more like Shelvey - New (Kamara?) - Joelinton as the 3.

Agent Rafa at it again Digne would be class, man. The striker conundrum is a hard one. On the surface, Martial on loan seems like a great option as he's definitely got some quality about him. Just feels to me like a downward, short-term move with someone who seemingly has questionable motivation at one of the world's biggest clubs.

Ake has always struck me as someone who can play well in a 3 or as a full back but struggles as a CB in a 2. Would absolutely have him as a reinforcement, like.

Really like what he's doing with us. The positivity, some of the organisation to set us up for the break is great, we press well, and are showing some signs of becoming more coherent in attack. I just think he's great, tbh. Give him what he needs and I think we'll see some really good football.

Gutted. We deserved a win.

Isn't Lamptey exclusively played as a wingback, whereas Trippier can play fullback as well (plus, on either side of the defence)?

The Botman links are getting stronger at the right time; encouraging that it's now progressed to a fee being mentioned. I thought he was a smaller ball playing defender but he's 6'5! Get him and Trippier in early and we're off to a good start.

You've just read he was part of the England set up; does this not change your mind at all? He seems to be highly rated.