sixx

Reyes looked absolutely electric in is first few months with Arsenal, just different class. Thought he'd become the world's best and that Arsenal would dominate with him around.

I was actually quite sad when Adriano broke through because I thought he would usurp Ronaldo as the Brazilian striker. My love of Ronaldo has not waned in the time since to be fair!

Glad I can’t watch this. Liverpool with 2xG after 30 mins.

Something was wrong with the defensive set up from the get go. Elanga had Dan Burn on toast from the first minute and neither our centre backs seemed interested in marking Wood. Wood could actually have scored more - for instance Elanga could  have squared it to him for a tap-in once he had left Burn in the dust and for some reason neither of Schar or Botman picked up Wood. It's like Wood didn't exist to them the whole game. Very strange. 

This one rests purely with Howe. We couldn't open up their low block (not a first) and we were at sixes and sevens defending their counters. 

Howe needs to work primarily on our defensive set up for the month ahead. If we're gonna continue to use Dubravka he has to develop an understanding with our defenders and do it quickly. The lack of understanding was evident in the Mudryk goal for instance. Would be nice if he came up with the odd clutch save too. Actually it would be nice if he weren't our goalkeeper. 

That said I want Murillo. And Gibbs-White. They can have Dubravaka in stead. 

We need to revert to the shithousing please. Our defensive solidity is plainly out the window and the defenders seem to have poor rapport with Dubravka. If Gordon can’t seem to find his pace again very soon we need to rectify that in january. 

My least favourite Christmas tradition is Newcastle United putting me on suicide watch.

I’m not very confident on us finishing top 10.

Comfortably the worst I’ve seen of us under Howe. Absolutely livid.

This season is breaking my heart. I might just be suicidal right now.

Too sad to be angry. Can't believe they put in this shift. Unbelievable. So, so proud of them. 

Played until 16/17 years old when I discovered drinking and that being in a band would get me laid more. I wasn’t great but a couple of guys from the squad certainly were and went to trials at Liverpool and Blackburn. The only one from the squad to ‘make the grade’ was the one who was most persistant and sacrificed basically everything to become professional. He was nowhere near among the most talented in the group but it’s usually like that I guess.

They’re so clever with the tactical fouls. We need to take more chances.

We're still in this. Sub Hall off for Gordon, put Trippier left back against Sule and Livramento to right back. Amp um the intensity and give them hell. Come ooooon.

To put it simply VAR was implemented to accommodate the most petulant and self-entitled dorks in the world. And now, after every single game, we have to bear with said dorks microscopically analyzing every minute detail of every refereeing decisions in astonishing detail. I can' really put into words how tedious that is. Currently all football discussion is absolutely dominated by this - I'm not saying refereing debate wasn't there before VAR, but after its implementation it has amplified it to a deafening level. Football is being thrusted into some kind of binary nerd-world which to me is becoming unbearable. 

Looked sharp and fast as hell last night. And that strike for the goal mamma mia he hit that fucker hard. Love him.

Feels like the rain really affected our diagonal balls and intricate play on the right hand side and not least Trippier’s crossing. All in all we were quite good but Dortmund just had the edge on us. They managed to break our second press repeatedly in the first half to find space behind the midfield. Fair play to them and their support. 

He made a judgement call and got it wrong. It happens. And for Pope it happens very infrequently. For me it's one of his best attributes - he's completely unafraid to make a bold decision immediately, he's very self-assured without being eccentric. 

Thought Tonali grew into it. If he manages to develop an understanding with Bruno we’ll be very, very tidy. Would’ve taken a draw beforehand given our injury and schedule.

Even in the very tightest of spots I sigh a relief every time he receives the ball. Having that kind of a press resistant outlet is ridiculously valuable. I love his half turn and outside boot pass when he’s under pressure. 

On course to be the first world class English manager since Sir Bobby(?).

I cannot understand what is going on.

Grew into it. Let's remember his midfield partners first half were 17 and 18 years old, one of which who's more of a full back.

I kind of love having a useful cult player who's also a local lad. I have no idea how he's still reliable after all these years, injuries and little to no playing time.

Not too bad. We’ve had the best chance and we’ve contained them well. Our midfield (understandably) look like they’ve never even met each other. Second half will be interesting.

I really, really don't understand Chelsea's approach these days. Their most experienced players are Silva who's ancient and hasn't really been there for very long and Reece James who's permacrocked and really not that experienced either. The player turnover is absolutely insane and even the manager is new. On top of that they're throwing away homegrown players like Hall, Tomori, Guehi, Livramento, Abraham, Gilmour et al who surely can be legacy players for years to come. Been a detestable club for 20 years now but never more than now. Thanks for Hall though.

I want to get drunk.