Interesting few days eh? Disclaimer: this isn't a meltdown - I'm not predicting relegation or the we'll be fine either and I thought there were some real positives in atsu and manquillo.
I also note our dear leader in attendance and my observation regarding him is this. He can make benign speeches about fans 'not going to like this I want a comfortable season' and misrepresent our expectations or delusions of grandeur all he wants. That game was a potential season in microcosm. Lose shelvey we'll struggle creatively (he was poor fwiw) a few injuries in key positions and we are still a lot weaker. We look very toothless up top too despite some talent.It's clear we need further strengthening.
It's one game against the runners up in the league and there are positives. Ashley needs to stop deluding himself if he thinks we're expecting top half and if he hopes to have a 'comfortable' finish. All his 'apologies' have done is confirm he is glibly unaware of this though. Let's hope for a better week and window.