Hanshithispantz

The xG over that period is still noisy data though (and that's without even touching on the fact xG is pure noise itself), applying it to a larger rolling average doesn't give it enough weight to discount a 5 game unbeaten streak. Again, if I was arguing that we are playing well, or didn't look a joke at the back, I would understand these critisisms. I just think we've went from looking a free hit from the start, or absolutely fucked after 60 minutes every other game, to actually looking capable of going 90 minutes every week.

fuck it, this is just getting stupid

Why would I give more weight to a rolling xG average graph over the actual results and performances? I'm not arguing that we are playing well, but we've been able to put a run of results together in games we've been competitive in for the full 90. And this was without a number 9 in a couple of them. You'd be lucky to pick 2 consecutive games in the Christmas period where were legitimately competitive throughout.

Before the 2 week break - congested fixture list (before and during this period): After the 2 week break - less congested fixture list (on the back of a break): I don't think it's a massive conspiracy to suggest our horrific form around Christmas and the New Year was down to fatigue, and that our increased form after a 2 week break (playing around 2 games less a month) is due to us regaining some energy. We're still not great, but we are atleast competitive for a full 90 minutes now.

Objectively so, aye.

Our form has dramatically improved since our fixture list lightened. We're still nowhere near where we need to be, but we're clearly not a free hit like we were a couple of months ago.

We're clearly not pressing like we did. Why would it not be down to fatigue, or a byproduct of it? As an obvious example, we've got Gordon playing almost every minute, covering for Barnes/Joelinton and 2 strikers, he's obviously going to feel it.

Jesus

Pretty sure it was this goal. Most people would assume that was improvisation and not a move from the training ground, there'll be loads of this stuff going on all the time.

Burn's comment was specifically about a pass and move that happened on the wing iirc (might have been his goal in the cup last season, Big Jer was involved). It looked incredibly simple, and not even worthy of note had the interaction in the interview not occured, but it was a glimpse that even basic pass and moves are being drummed into them. It's just an example of a simple, spontaneous looking goal that us laymen would never have guessed was off the training ground.

Dan Burn let slip the 'phase of play' they practiced a while back, said something along the lines of "was that routine 3?" before Howe cut him off. It looked like a standard pass and move to the untrained eye, which we all have. My guess would be that we spend a significant ammount of time working on patterns of play, hence our ease of making it into the opponents box when on form (our 'touches in opponents box' was always really high, along with our xG).

People were absolutely desperate to call Gordon's transfer a flop, to the extent that even though he was showing flashes of quality last season, they were going out of their way to highlight how bad he was. Barnes has absolutely no chance at the minute He's been injured all season and will likely need properly bedding into the squad, it's prime time to score a few points with disjointed performances. Turf toe has probably never caused such widespread jubilation before.

As long as you're here in September/October with a heartfelt letter to Ed himself, repenting for your sins, it's all good.

I don't need excuses, get our players back and go again next season and he'll have us competing again. It's absolutely mental the way yous are going on.

Imagine HATING Eddie Howe as much as that lad does? Defies belief.

Like I say, it was a shit performance. We weren't 'played off the park' though It was an even game, which obviously isn't good enough at a Championship ground.

It was a shit performance but we missed two absolute sitters

Just said the same, cannot remember a game where we've been given 50/50s to this extent Wrong ones an all

Nobody has said things aren't bad We cannot defend because Howe relies on pressure to push the ball into non threatening areas. We cannot do that at the minute. The fact we're still in games and have been able to string results together despite this is a possitive sign, and makes the calls for his job to be reviewed look silly, but it obviously doesn't mean we're a good side atm. Cannot be arsed for another day of repeating obvious things like so will leave it here.

Hall has shown he's good enough to make Premier League appearances at Chelsea. He was impressive for them. There's no question that he's a good enough footballer to be getting minutes in this league so why would his age be preventing it? If he's ready physically or tactically is a different question, and that's the actual reason Howe wouldn't play a yoot. You can speculate that Howe is too strict with what he's asking, but it's just speculation.

Think you might be thinking of a different Rhys? He went on to play in the Championship/League One but has just been sent back to Liverpool apparently.

Aye, he's actually played Tino on the wing a couple of times too when we've been especially light up top.

The Liverpool lads bar one were England U18 or U21 internationals. Nobody knows what's going on with Hall, he's obviously good enough to get Premier League minutes, his lack of appearances won't be down to Howe not trusting youth - there's obviously an 'issue' with the player (people can speculate what that is - my guess would be that we're still getting him ready physically, as we saw with Gordon last season).

I'm not even sure what you're getting at here? Milan were far better than us, I'm not denying that. My point us that we started the game with Milan sitting back and hitting us on the break. We couldn't break them down and they repeatedly cut through us. You made a point that we set up to play out a draw, sitting infront of our own box, and that apparently has been Howe's blueprint ever since?

First half: It never worked as Tomori was outstanding, and Milan were lethal on the break, but it was pretty obvious we never set up to camp in our own half and play out a draw. 2nd half they completely controlled. Like I say, it was similar to Dortmund at home, Howe definitely 'got done' in both games.