ponsaelius

I'd say keeper probably wasn't a priority but is now arguably the biggest one for me. Keeper, Phillips on loan to cover Tonali, and right wing would be what I would probably look at doing. Depends how we're looking at CB in terms of Botman and Burn though. If we're still struggling there then recall Minteh and spend money on the defence instead.

Would love to get into the Girona underdog bandwagon then remember they're a Man City feeder club.

Not really like. And they could have had 8.

Obviously the overall picture isn't, but in isolation this definitely has been as bad. We've looked staggeringly open and with almost no threat.

First big test of his time here I feel at the moment. This has been genuinely as bad as anything under Bruce.

Sorry, lack of match practice or not, but he looks absolutely atrocious.

The games over. Just get Trippier and Gordon off.

Ashley era shite this mind. Fucking hell.

Can't have a full season with him I'm afraid.

We rely on Trippier's passing so much both creatively and in terms of press resistance that we simply don't have any faith in resting him, even when he's utterly fucked and costing us goals repeatedly.

We've been winning comfortably at home, tbh. Away from home I wouldn't fancy us to beat anybody.

Trippier at fault for 4 of our last 5 goals conceded.

Could get murdered here if Spurs fancy it tbh.

I'm no fan of the look of the external exoskeleton as it makes every modern/redeveloped stadium look the same, rather than different and iconic. However the ability to be able to host all events, all year round, will have the stadium paying for itself in no time at all. It's an absolute game changer for clubs who pursue it - particularly in city centre locations.

I went to four games when I was in Japan in 2016. The atmosphere and quality of matchday experience was really good. Probably a spot on balance of being noisy and passionate, but also safe and comfortable. Maybe I'll dig out some pics.

I think we do have to re-iterate this. To me he was a bonus signing rather than one that was allocated funds over somebody else. The very specific circumstances that allowed for a loan-to-buy is why it happened - opportunistic in many respects.

The lad hasn't even looked bad when he's played. I thought he was great against Man United, equally as impressive as Tino just more quality distribution rather than ball carrying. Dortmund was a bit more of a struggle for him but he was completely fucked over by that ridiculous yellow card right at the beginning.

God it would be so good to have those three back.

A new right sided player should offer us more craft. I don't think Howe will ever have an explicitly creative midfielder in the 3 unless the player also has a strong physical profile. It would require a fundamental change of system. If we'd signed Maddison he would definitely have played wide right in this set up, imo.

It all comes down to the terms of the loan, as far as I know. He could be still out if Chelsea have stipulated it. In UEFA games I believe it's not possible for any restrictions - as international loand are viewed effectively the same as transfers. Hence Courtois playing for Atletico.

One thing I'll say is I find it slightly worrying how little trust Howe has of Hall to come into a game. He's a kid but he's been signed as a versatile first team player and yet he can't get on the pitch despite us being decimated. I got it away to PSG where you're playing out a bunker defence and players are zoned in 100% to concentrate on defending, but not in other games.

If Trippier doesn't make that first fuck up we probably make it to 0-0. If Gordon takes one of those chances we probably win the game. It shows how tight games can hinge completely on one moment. I was shitting it all game because you knew one mistake would basically be game over. That being said you also can't really argue with a comfortable defeat on the balance of play throughout 90 mins and the chances they missed. I'm trying not to get angry because there are clear mitigating circumstances. As much as I was fuming when Trippier made those errors. The squad is absolutely decimated, the players out there are knackered and now we've thrown an aging keeper with no match practice into the mix. We need 3-4 lads back ASAP and we need reinforcements in January. Until then we're going to keep having these ropey away results.

Yup. He's played right into the way Everton play as well. Don't think he's come out and claimed a single thing and looked shaky saving basic shots first time. He's better with the ball at his feet that Pope but in every other way he invites pressure and nervousness unfortunately.

Dubravka has looked ropey as fuck unfortunately. He's a aging, injury prone keeper who has barely played last couple of years.

Not sure I can be arsed with these away games while we have no fucking players like.