Heron

I can only speak for myself but I will happily accept criticisms of Howe if people can provide valid alternatives as to what could have been done at the same times and with the same resources as at that time. So far, a lot of what I am reading (albeit on WA and X) is hypothetical bullshit and folk just saying things are shit. What's the fucking point in that?

Absolutely right to call out the penalty decisions. Another game that's slipped by us despite a hearty showing. Had we beaten the likes of Bournemouth et al then we'd be looking at this game a lot different in my opinion. The chips are down and we're lacking confidence and belief. Mentality is the new issue and not just a thinned out squad. I feel we'll be fine, we just need to attack next weekend with all our might and resuscitate our season. You've got this Eddie. You. Have. Got. This.

Looks a good prospect for the future. We should sign him.

I'm a bit bored of the whole day-trippers and tourists causing a bad atmosphere excuse. It's been shite for ages unless we're winning. The same as any other football stadium in the UK. There's seemingly a feeling of embarrassment or it being socially unacceptable to do so it seems to me. Football is now an entertainment business not a sport. Get your popcorn and hot dog and clap when you score. That's it.

Yep.

The fans have lost belief too though. Cannot really blame the players for losing some too. We've had a pure hefty season and a good amount of bad luck. Our confidence has taken a real hit and it's evident.

Just desperately obsessed with us and our current superiority over them both as a city and a football team. Delewsional.

Fixed

Inter look really strong like. Could have been several vs Udinese. That goal from Martinez was beautiful.

Will be watching this one with my Inter supporting Father in law. Should be a good watch!

I actually thought that whilst his balance and footing was clearly off for Son going past him on the second the initial issue was that our midfield/defence were out of shape. Would need to review further but Trippier is isolated as 2 on 1 when he remains inside to mark the more central forward player, thus winning the header, he then has to make up the yards to get to Son who, opens up the opportunity to really go at him at the earliest opportunity and a player of that quality doesn't need any time to think. I thought a midfielder or perhaps Miggy should have been back in there to help him out. It appeared somewhat of a clear strategy to me today (that they'd isolate Son vs a fatigued Trippier) easy to say in hindsight but it may have been worth playing Tino right and Dummett or Ritchie LB. The booking and suspension for Fulham is a God send to be honest. Trippier needs a break.

Reds galore in Roma/Fiorentina

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Glad Eddie Howe should have predicted like 11 of his first team squad being out at any given time...

Going to be Inter's title this year at this rate. Hopefully so. That goal from Martinez at the end was exquisite and to be honest they could have put double figures past Udinese tonight.

We are playing to our maximum effort. You cannot give more than maximum effort. Could the players give better quality? Yes, in moments, but are they more likely to give more quality if they're less fatigued? Yes.

Mentioned it in the EH thread but for me (across the full season) I'd prefer to probably finish 4th in the CL and really prioritise the League Cup, an FA Cup run and 4th place. Given our injuries I think that's more achievable. Get CL a second year in a row and Cup wins etc. Will come in time.

Right now we're suffering from fatigue. So that's a shite point.

I'm not missing the point at all. You are saying folk are blaming every defeat on fatigue. That's bollocks. They aren't. They are blaming results on fatigue, when fatigue is a factor and probably the largest contributory factor. They're only blaming two league results on fatigue. It is always possible to have played better because humans are playing, there'll always be imperfections. No one is saying the team played well tonight, they are just saying that a fully fit, unfatigued side plays better and that these lads deserve some leeway.

Yep. More players back in Jan and the fixture congestion reducing by February hopefully.

I disagree. Folk would still complain. I think, personally, folk complain in some case because it's therapeutic. Fatigue isn't acceptable to them because it has to be something of greater accountability. Substituting lesser (but less fatigued) players in would give them that accountability to complain about just as folk are complaining about the lack of. Folk just want to complain.

Don't think he was not arsed like. Do think he played without his usual composure and that cost us up top though once or twice.

I don't think anyone who is saying Bournemouth and Everton were fatugue related would apply that same reasoning to Liverpool, Man City or Brighton... You're generalising.

Objectively aye. Subjectively, it's not a great surprise.

Folk didn't blame Brighton or Liverpool or Man City on fatigue. They blamed losses vs Bournemouth and Everton, both games they pressed us after we played 3 games in a week and beyond. So that's not a fair statement

Last year we weren't in the CL and West Ham had a heavy fixture schedule. Bournemouth were arguably weaker as were Everton. Ideally we'd take 9 from those looking at them realistically, but with our injury situation and fixture congestion, it's not pointing towards anything other than fatigue for me.