Doctor Zaius

It did seem like they were improved. I wouldn't go as far as saying they were turning the corner though. They're sat 5th like, really bizarre timing. I really, really hope they go for Southgate.

Feel like he was asked to play deeper today. If hes not getting past his man on counter attacks or being able to whip balls in, it shows his general play up even more. I know hes been abysmal for the most part but surely we could give Elanga a run of games? None of his replacements, whether Murphy, Barnes or Gordon are fit for purpose right now.

Hope City demolish Chelsea and they go into freefall.

Really good second half after struggling in the first half. Miley was outstanding. Thiaw was quality. Joelinton played well too. Wissas movement up top gives so much more too. Murphy was poor. Tonali is a worry and I still don't see what Ramsey offers. Created plenty in the second half. Should have won by more if not for questionable finishing. Clean sheet and plenty positives. Onto Leeds, who have looked good recently.

Get in, miles better this second half like

On what planet is that a foul you fucking blind cunt

Why is Murphy so deep?

This is honestly shite like. Just utter crap in possession. Slow, ponderous and a poor final ball.

Bizarrely could be a point off a potential CL place if results go out way today

I support a club whose owners bought it for the purposes of sportswashing an oppressive, murderous regime. So yeah, I'll probably still watch the World Cup.

Next three in the league are big. Palace and Leeds at home, Wolves away. Should be winning all three if we're to kick on. Nothing to suggest we won't remain inconsistent though.

Big win, unconvincing performance though. Good job they have very little quality. Hall was quality. Right wing is big problem.

He's fucking wank man

We just cannot keep the ball.

Harvey Barnes is simply not a right winger. Two big chances missed for us. Wissas was a sitter and Barnes should be scoring that.

Sitter that

Fuck me Burnley look shit

It still doesn't take 4 years to make any sort of progress on the training ground or stadium. Saudi ownership has been a disappointment in terms of infrastructure. They're lucky they've had Howe too really. Covers for them having done little.

I like Woodhorn Lane like. Stand is good. Clubhouse should be bigger though. Miss the old Portland Park mind, as much of a wreck that it was

We tried to sign forwards all summer that aren't pressing machines. Sesko, Woltemade, Strand Larsen, Ramos. Ekitike is hardly Bellamy when it comes to pressing either. Our wingers are deeper and our full backs higher too. I think it's been a conscious decision to make us less of a counter pressing, intense team. Howe probably seen how we fell off last time we were in the CL and has tried to alter our style and I don't think it's worked.

Absolutely not like.

Either way, the signings over the summer are by the by right now. We don't move the ball quick enough. We can't break teams down. We don't create enough chances. Were fragile defensively and we have seem to have moved away from the intense counter press to a way of playing that simply isn't working. If he can't get a system working that yields more than one win away from home in half a season, he'll be gone sooner or later.

Since when? Our better signings have been abroad. He's obviously willing to sign players from abroad, but it's quite obvious he prefers players with PL proven experience with the view that they'll adapt quicker. With Elanga and Ramsay that's been proven misguided. It's not like we don't have a scouting department either. We might not be able to pick and unknown gem from Ecuador like Brighton, but there will still have been a list of known players for Howe to choose from to spend the Elanga and Ramsay money, but he's made the wrong choice.

Christmas has been and gone you divvy

I'm not sure it was a case of Mitchell walking out unexpectedly and Howe being left to pick up the pieces. I reckon it was a difference on strategy. Howes ideas for the window were different to Mitchell's, so Mitchell walked. Howe essentially won the power struggle and I suspect got the level of control over transfer strategy that he wanted. The 100m he's spent on Elanga and Ramsay are out and out Howe decisions. Players with good physical attributes, relatively young, PL proven experience. Mitchell was the wrong appointment and those making decisions should face appropriate scrutiny like, but I don't feel like that exonerates Howe for this mess of a window.