Heron

Really honoured to be on that video tbh. Sharing the same "media space" as Bobby Moncur man. What a delight. Happy birthday to me.

Onions. Lots of onions.

I don't feel we've played badly very often tbh, but nor do I feel we've been at our very best. I feel we've been decent but under strength. That'll change in time is my belief based on everything we've seen under Howe. Elanga should have scored at Villa, but at the end of that game most were content with a good draw away. Liverpool we were fantastic but had 10 men for much of the game. Leeds away was the biggest disappointment of the year for me despite getting a point. I agree when someone said to me earlier today we really should have made them worry more about us that game. Woltemades first game was always gonna be an unknown but we beat Wolves. Drawing away to a 4th placed Bournemouth is not to be sniffed at. Arsenal at home was disappointing but for me it was moreso the nature of the defeat than the performance. Forest was comfortable and today was just a good goal that beat us in a similar way to Barcelona. But hey...I'm a glass half full guy...to say the least...

Or more pull?

Yes. Once was enough We have undertaken a number of difficult fixtures in our first 8 games and are reinventing ourselves. This season will likely be underwhelming compared to last as a result. I get it. I just think our expectancy is becoming heightened beyond our actual capability because of FFP tbh. But going back to the 42 point thing...by the same token Sunderland would finish on 66 points...

Sorry like but we sold Isak who is considered one of the top strikers in the world and got Woltemade who has scored what 5 in 7? Ramsay was injured like straight away and so was Wissa. So that leaves Elanga. How does that constitute as not spending wisely (at this stage)? The rest is absolutely fair.

So that makes it "awful"? Bit simplistic if you ask me like, tbh (no offence). To my mind we've dropped 3 points away from home from what I'd expect. At home we've (arguably) dropped like 1. 4 points dropped doesn't constitute as "awful" when we've been strikerless and missing our wingbacks after an international break. I guess it depends what our expectations are for the season - for me it's an okay run in the cups (including CL) and hopefully getting European football...

Aye perhaps mate

"Awful" is properly over the top like. We've literally played 3 of the best teams in Europe and had 3 really dififcult away games at Villa, Bournemouth and Brighton where you'd be happy with draws at (and got 2). Aside from that though, I agree.

❤️

Oh I know you weren't knocking him mate, just saying if we're talking about an individuals abilities and inabiliities I feel it adds weight to the debate. Moreso for the reason you've stated which is (of course) fair

Aye possibly not tbf mate.

A small part of me wishes Howe was charismatic in the style Keegan was so that he'd be idolised and adored as much as Keegan. Instead he's a better coach and manager and is more measured & has actually won us something as a result and despite this is less adored, in my humble opinion. Bit sad really. Absolute legend is Eddie. I really believe he is the king. 🤍🩶🖤

I mean...imagine having a "Is he the best manager in the league" with his predecessor...

They are contributory factors to add weight to the debate though. He's consistently done well in the transfer market with regards to signings. IF that is his responsibility at all, then it adds weight to his abilities as a coach and manager.

This is surely based on trophies won though right? With multi-million (billion?) Transfer expenditure and a starting position of prior success at respective club...

Yes.

Our transfer business and strategy is what causes us to start "late" for me and whether or not that's down to the structure of the club, Eddie Howe and/or others is a bit of an unknown to me. What I do know is with Eddie Howe "at the wheel" we've done nothing but signed players who have always improved the squad and/or team, whom he has maximised their potential, and whom he has managed to mould into multiple tactics or simply moved on if they didn't fit the new style of play at more than likely an increased value because of said maximisation of potential. I don't think there's another manager in the country who has changed tactical outlook and style in such a transformative manner as Howe. Guardiola, Slot, Arteta, Maresca none of these have done what Howe has. Sure they've won stuff, but under much different circumstances. Glasner has to be the closest and aside from him Thomas Frank. For lack of adaptability see Postecoglou.

Top. Seriously.

That goal man. Devine. Delicious. Scrum-diddly-umptious. Yet...worth nothing. 🫣

What were these?

My main take from this (which was interesting by the way) was that some people earned €7,142 in a days work. Disgusting.

I have little doubt that Isak will rekindle some electrifying form in time, somewhere, but he's been incredibly naive and arrogant in how he has pushed for his 'big' move at a pivotal time in his career when he could have stayed and worked hard, gone through world cup qualifiers in prime condition and got off to a great start of the season in a familiar place with familiar people and one of the best man managers around. Sweden fans, rightly or wrongly will point to his lack of fitness/sharpness as being a contributory factor in them not picking up sufficient points to qualify for the world cup. If I recall correctly he was captain this last week too (or maybe has been for some time). Terrible move from JDT if that's recent. He should have been stripped of that the moment this debacle unfolded for me. Irrespective of quality, there are standards to be maintained of having the right attitude and professionalism. This is where Isak's arrogance surpasses his ability, because in all his time here he could have learned this from his polar opposite in Jamaal Lascelles. So what does this mean for Isak...unfit for the busiest spell of the football season, not firing, no world cup and his next will be in 4 years when he could well have had career ending injuries or significant decline of pace, or whatever. A season written off and only next season to look towards. Liverpool will want return from their investment so will likely hold out as long as they can, but he has to get his head out his arse and find form fast if he doesn't want it to go from bad to worse. Something tells me that Liverpool may not win the title this year - perhaps me being a fickle football fan - but having invested so much and upsetting the apple cart somewhat - it'll be interesting to see if Slot can rekindle the level of form they had last year. A positive they do have is that they even been fairly awesome (by way of points accrued) without really hitting their stride yet. I just wonder how the likes of Ekitike feel about a misfiring and unprofessional Isak... He could have really increased his profile with one final good season here and a world cup appearance that got the Swedish people behind him and demonstrated what we all believed (that he was world class) on a world stage. For now he's an overpriced problem.

Bloody hell

Wissa has ran out of toothpaste and had to buy Aquafresh from his local Premier tonight. Out with sensitive teeth until Feb.