alexf

That phrase is synonymous with the Ashley years for me.

Salty.

His performance at the weekend has made me sour on him a little. That defending for our 4th is really atrocious. He just gives up.

Plot twist when it turns out LFEE is the next Jimmy Saville and has just lured him back to his lair.

Yeah noticed Isak's first touch after coming on at the weekend was a magnificent touch and turn all in one motion after receiving a ball drilled into him.

I still think your squad depth is stronger than ours. I believe you guys had a head start on investment before us and it shows in the squad depth. However I think we are both similar in that a few key injuries or suspensions could derail our form. (Bruno, Isak/Wilson) for us and probably (Watkins, Douglas Luiz) for you. I think the strength of the opposition for us in the CL is going to impact us more than you in the Conference league though. You could easily play and B/C team I feel and still progress to the latter stages, whereas we are almost rotating in the Prem already to save first 11 for CL.

All credit to Howe and the coaching staff. You could see all our patterns of play now are so engrained in the squad that they all know exactly what they are doing. You can slot in different players, (Lascelles, Murphy, Wilson instead of Botman, Almiron, Isak) but the system and pattern remains the same. This is why we are having the success we are. Yes, congrats to these players for carrying out the instructions so well. But when other fans are confused how we are so good, when they see people like Burn, Longstaff, Almiron, Murphy etc lining up for us....players they may historically have thought are not top tier. It is because of Howe and the coaching that they are able to carry out these tactics, which in turn makes them appear better players than they were before. It makes me even more excited for the future and why this slow build is so enjoyable. We are witnessing the the evolution of this team and as Howe is provided higher ceiling players as we go (Bruno, Gordon, Isak etc) You can just see how we will keep getting better and better.

How good are Dortmund then? See they are unbeaten so far in the league.

I think if any team has a bad blip or poor run of form this year, there will be plenty of others to take advantage. So it will all be about being consistent and hoping injuries and suspensions don't hurt us too badly.

Why don't West Ham play Kudus? Looked good against us and is highly rated.

I loved this goal at the time for that exact reason. Runners everywhere confusing the defenders and giving us lots of options. Shows the coaching going into the team and why we are so effective regardless of who is in the line up.

I wonder if the Everton fans who thought he was shit and gloated that they robbed us £40m for him have swallowed some humble pie.

? Jaime Redknapp's superb punditry on display again that day.

Seems to be alot of criticism of the loud music and speaker guy for awhile now surprised the club haven't noticed this.

There's a very likely scenario Bruno will be banned for this as I'd be shocked if he gets through that wolves away game without picking up a yellow. But fingers crossed. Would be nice to test ourselves against Arsenal with most of our first 11 fit.

We are going to absolutely smash Luton when we get them to St.James'

Those diagonals ?

He reads the game really well defensively and offensively. Alot of last year I was frustrated with his finishing or decision making. But he definitely improved as the season went on and has carried that on into this. I would say that fantastic move down the right where he tried to drill it across, he should have spotted Gordon for an easy cut back, but apart from that he was excellent. Took his goal well. Felt like we signed Tonali to replace Sean's position in the first 11 but the way the season has started he is making his claim to hang on to it. And likely will now with Tonali's looming ban.

Feels like he's playing the best football of his career at the moment. Just everything seems to have come together for him and now with an older wiser head aswell he's in his prime. He should really be first choice for England on current form but Walker's pace will always grab attention and I can see why someone like Southgate would prefer to have that recovery pace. But if he was a more confident manager I think Trippier gives you more offensively than Walker.

Yeah it's not really a shock when he plays well anymore but it still astounds me the turnaround in his performances. Like other said, always felt he had great attributes with his speed and decent cross/shot. But he never seemed to have any confidence or game awareness. Is there any players left from the Bruce era that Howe hasn't completely turned their performances around? Maybe just Ritchie? With his old man legs I doubt it, if he ever got a game again but nothing would shock me anymore ?

Reflecting on this some more. I'm starting to think that it is a bit messed up these lads are getting hit with long bans. The Toney one sort of felt the same. They obviously have a problem and need help to overcome it, but taking away the one distraction they have just doesn't feel like the right solution. Obviously if he was betting on anything that would call into question the integrity of the game like betting on his team to lose then yes a ban of some form would probably be needed but I just wonder the logic behind banning these guys for full seasons etc. I think the more this happens, there will be a change in perception of gambling and the punishments will change. Unfortunately for us and Tonali these sort of cases are still fairly new and he is likely going to be made an example of like Toney.

Yep, definitely seemed to be something new for us, him picking it up infield. He absolutely ran the show first half and was imperious.

Bit late to the post-game chat but just wanted to add my thoughts if similar hasn't already been said. Thought that game really showed our growth. Some of the patterns of play, Trippier drifting into the deep lying midfield role at times, the clear threat down the right with his overlaps aswell, Longstaff always finding that pocket of space in the box, even Joelinton and Gordon had some promising exchanges of passes at time. Just a really accomplished performance and just looked massively the superior team, which considering they held us to three 0:0s last year, shows great improvement as a side.

I mean there has to be some form of addiction as he has broken rules knowingly due to his inability to resist the temptation. Where the grey area is, is if he has willingly broken the rules because he thought he could get away with it easily and could have stopped gambling at any moment. But i imagine the truth is somewhere inbetween.

Just an exquisite volleyed cross. Exceptional as always Tripps.