Mattoon

I think this is a decent bit of business, Wood is a squad player and price is high because it was the quickest way to get someone in before Watford, with a release clause we're looking at hours rather than days to complete the transfer meaning he can slot straight in at the weekend, even if its just as a sub because he's carrying a knock. Watford is the epitome of a 6 pointer and he's probably our best chance at getting something out of it. It's a bit of an underwhelming signing but functional. Fingers crossed he makes it and he makes the difference he's being brought in for.

He's coming for his medical tonight, he will likely be an NUFC player by tomorrow. Piss and moan all you want but it's not going to change anything. Give the lad a chance, Burnley don't have players like ASM, Frasier and to a much greater extent Trippier. We've bought a squad player that'll have to come straight in the first team, he's got PL experience and he's got an eye for goal. Plus we've taken a goal scorer away from a team we need to finish above. The price is irrelevant, who will Burnley likely attract in a similar position to us but without the promise? £25m doesn't buy you much these days, especially up front.

Not exactly excited at the prospect of Wood, seems to be having a bad season and tends to wander off side quite often. That being said I can see this as a stop gap purchase as we need someone yesterday to step up. Not a terrible squad player but definitely not the answer long term. Could it be that we're looking at better targets and Wood is just the one we can get in before Watford?

Just thinking out loud but maybe he just doesn't trust some of the options he has and maybe that's a habit he needs to change when he has better players around him. Or maybe he's just short sighted and his football brain doesn't match his natural ability on the ball.

The more that's expected of him, the worse he gets, he's trying to take on 2, 3 or 4 defenders on his own, no one is showing for options and no one (now Wilson is out) is as good as him at getting it in the back of the net. Relieve some of the expectation from him and I think we'll see the old ASM that every other clubs supporter wants in their team.

Maybe lack of effort is a bit harsh, like I mentioned above they have fragile nerves and heads are going down too quick. Today was the most frustrated I've been watching us as we moved up the pitch quickly and with intent, knocked the ball around quite well but then jelly legs in the final third. At this point I think some of the players need out as much as we need them out, they look shot here and need a clean slate and we desperately need confidence on the pitch.

Sugar glass nerves, they look so easily broken. I also think that under Rafa he knew the players weaknesses and would only ask them to do what he knew they could do and built his team around their strengths, whereas a manager like Howe has a way he wants to play and the players are an extension of that philosophy meaning their deficiencies are glaringly obvious.

First half felt like a matter of time for a win, even the second half we were dominant but as soon as that goal went in they panicked, lost all sensibilities and fluffed at everything. Sugar glass nerves.

Not the same player since his last injury, really has no presence in the box anymore and is flapping too much at simple catches. Can only hope a better back line takes some pressure off and allows him to get back to his old self/improve. Way down the list of priorities right now but not staking a claim to keep his spot.

Howe certainly made the right noises to get the job, I was a little underwhelmed when he came in but I wasn't gutted. Hindsight, maybe this was more bite than he could chew but to say he's done nothing is blatantly ignoring the disjointed, defeatist, toothless mess Bruce left. There's much more cohesion and intent in the way we play now but the players can't match what's being asked of them, whether that be through inability or disinterest. We've got Howe until at least the end of the season, he deserves his chance with his own players, only then can he be judged effectively. When has changing a manager twice in a season ever lead to anything other than relegation? Imperative that we get in at least 2 more players before Watford and pray they hit the ground running. Right now is the epitome of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic with this bunch.

Lascelles needs stripped of captaincy for sure, he's not good enough on the pitch, not vocal enough on or off the pitch and about to be replaced.

Bringing in some competent footballers in our weakest positions is paramount now if we're to survive. Trippier looked head and shoulders above the rest today, composed, commanding, good at the back and can make an actual pass to his intended target. More players that can execute Howe's philosophy will make a huge difference. Once we have a new spine we can judge him effectively, unfair to do so just yet given the change he's made so far.

A few players low on confidence learning through press/social media they're desperate to replace them can't help. You'd think that would give you more fight to prove you've got an immediate future at the club but our lot seem to down tools as soon as the going gets tough. So it's hardly surprising seeing some of the gutless performances today from the likes of Longstaff. Not good enough, no interest in trying to be good enough.

It's OK to suggest he got it wrong today and also accept that he's already made a big difference so far. Still a lot of work to do, with some new players coming in it'll be fairer to judge him than with this rag tag bunch he's having to deal with.

Playing up front solo is giving ASM too much rope to hang himself with, he's trying to do too much and showboating all the time. He needs a decent striker in front of him so he's not trying to do everything himself and wasting so much of the ball. With confirmation Wilson is out for 8 weeks we need to buy someone this week or we're screwed

Criminal to not start with a recognised forward, is Gayle injured? He's got to be a better option than no one! Hard to place blame too much on Howe as the players just aren't up for it, embarrassing.

Fucking embarrassment, can we buy 10 more players this window?

This is unbelievably stressful to watch, frustrating as fuck

1 player was never going to change the dynamic of the whole team but fml we're struggling against a 3rd tier team here.

Offside is decided at the point of the initial pass, not upon reception of the ball as I understand it.

What has touching one of our players on its way through got to do with 3 of their players being offside??

Fml what a load of pony

Thank ferk for that

Longstaff has to come off for Willock 2nd half and push Willock forward like last season and let Joe drop back