Stottie

Great work from the big man, effectively scoring one goal (Harry Kane would claim it) and hitting the pass for the assist for the other. He's stepped up when we really need our players to do so. If anyone says anything about the first and "luck", Joelinton did a lot more to make it happen than Rashford did for the Botman OG that sealed the Carabao Cup final.

Brighton were robbed there. The Mitoma goal was a howler from the lino, who's not supposed to be flag happy, that VAR probably could not conclusively correct (assuming it would even want to). However, the second handball doesn't even conclusively hit a hand. It's VAR using guesswork to reverse a decision, just as Wilson's was. Both penalty shouts are pens. The Mitoma one includes a freeze frame with Hojberg's foot on top of Mitoma's, conclusive proof of contact. Dunk's shirt is visibly being held in both hands.

Biilling played under JT at Bournemouth so they'll know lots about him. They probably signed him as someone Eddie wanted. He'd be good cover for the Joes which would be wise as we start playing in Europe and the fixture mount up.

I'm a believer in the "on the beach" theory. However, all it means is that midtable teams are not at their best. It's also part of a bigger pattern of there being a good time to play someone. Anyone who played Villa before Emery got an easy ride. As did teams who played us during the Bruno suspension, which wasn't even off a league game. There's also the Thurs/Sun Europa League thing, which West Ham have taken into a relegation battle. My own fixture of doom would away at a promoted team on first day of the season. Full squad available, fully motivated, crowd massively up for it, media urging them on. Play the same fixture in late November and they'll probably be demoralized, three or four out to injury, their manager on Sack Watch, and the media expecting a bloodbath.

It reminded me of what Wayne Rooney etc. would do against us and you'd think "ferk it, they've got better players". We now have class in black and white again.

What a second half. Absolutely brilliant. Isak is second in the league in goals per 90 minutes, behind only Haarland. Wilson would be up to about fifth but was robbed by VAR. A penalty is about 0.77 xG. Wilson gets zero in spite of the ball hitting his shoulder. Going into the game, Brentford had 27 points from 14 home games, so a fantastic result.

84% on fivethirtyeight now. So-so results and not losing to Spurs might be enough.

Brilliant from Wilson and Isak! Strong contender for most pointless goalkeeper dive of the season. He didn't get within three feet of it.

Funny game, Bruno's had it in space about 35-40 yards out a few times but nothing's being coming off. Their final line has held firm. Isak's not had a sniff, and no-one else has got in. The first pen was a howler from both Schar and Botman. The second one looked a bit soft, incidental contact after the ball had gone with the guy running across and into an attempt on the ball. Seen em given though etc. etc. The score certainly does not deserve to be any more than 1-0 and the commentators pushing that line are idiots.

Not down as a booking. He pulled out of the challenge and the guy went down anticipating contact that didn't look like it happened.

A short runup like that will all be about deception. Well in Pope for not being deceived.

Second time Brentford have scored an offside goal against us at 0-0 this season. Maybe a good omen.

I saw a list of other bans, including Trippier and Joey Barton, and it tends to take months to start On the upside, its likely to last well into next season and should knock down Toney's price. There won't be many teams with two performing CFs who won't be massively put out by Toney missing a good chunk of games next season. Most managers will need their new CF to produce straight away, for their own sake as well as their team's.

This any good?

Two each for Wilson and Joelinton, the changes he made. It's like he's playing chess in 4D. fwiw, Eddie Howe's NUFC now have positive goal difference in Premier League away games, overcoming the 0-4 at Leicester and 1-5 at Spurs etc. last season. https://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/competition:premier-league/daterange/fromdate:2021-Nov-21/todate:2023-Jun-01/type:home-and-away/

Just a test of ChatGPT, but it says our best totals in PL era are 1995-96: 73 points 2001-02: 71 points 1996-97: 68 points 2002-03: 69 points Yes, it could be achievable this year. 20 points from 10 games to match the record.

He's second in the league now in assists per 90 minutes played, behind KDB. He's got 5 in about 1000 minutes.

Up to 77% on the fivethirtyeight "supercomputer". It has us on 70 points.

Double figures for him so well done. Miggy already there and if Isak does it, how long's it been since we had three in the league?

Liverpool 0.2 xG vs. Chelsea, a team with no manager. They're not getting top 4. Good win for Brighton, because Bournemouth can be difficult. Brighton's big issue is against the top teams though. As for tonight, a bigger test for Man U than for us. Should be interesting.

Liverpool are shite away from home, 12 points from 14 games, but usually do well against Chelsea. Chelsea may also attack them, which plays into Liverpool hands. Pace on the counter is their main weapon. A boring 0-0 like the four hours of finals between them last year would do me fine.

I think we'll get 70 or close in keeping with our form for the whole season. We should stay on a roll with pretty much everyone fit. I think 65 plus GD would probably be enough for fourth though. I can't see Spurs getting any more than that with no manager. They have six of their nine remaining games against the current top nine, their record against them so far is P10 W2 D1 L7. Liverpool finished the season two years ago with eight wins and two draws, to rise up the table and knock out Leicester. They still have the attacking talent, but the rest of the team is creaking. Liverpool need 23 pts off 11 games, effectively seven wins, just to reach 65 points. They do better against strong teams, and have Chelsea and Arsenal up next, so maybe it can give them some momentum. As it is, they average less than one point per away game. I see us third and Man U or Brighton fourth as most likely.

I didn't realise until after Sunday's game, but these are the goals Man U have conceded in their hardest away games based on current league positions. Man CIty 6, Arsenal 3, Liverpool 7, Brentford 4, Villa 3. 23 in five games, more than us in all our 27 games. Only conceding 2 against us was an improvement!

Our defence is already league winning quality. Goals conceded tells us that. One or zero goals conceded in 23 out of 27 games, 13 of them clean sheets. The concern should be us winning only 13 of those 27 games (less than half ). That's what holds us back. If the betting trouble and ban will knock it down to non-crazy money, I'd make Toney number one target. Maddison too if still needed (well, Isak can play #10), and then go for a DM, possibly Tielemans because I have a personal weakness for overspec DMs who can shoot and spray it about. He's also high enough quality for Bruno cover, our biggest miss when he's out. Those three would add at least fifteen, probably twenty goals to the team. If there's cash remaining, I'd quite like another mid to cover the Joes (Billing etc). I wouldn't buy a wide player because Isak (when Toney plays), Gordon, Miggy, ASM (if he stays), Anderson, Willock, Murph (keep as wing back cover) is lots of options. For the defence, a young, high potential right sided CB or moneyball veteran would probably be enough. LB and wide forward can wait till winter or later. Don't buy an effton of players because "the group" are good lads and have got us into the CL and a final, defying all expectations. Block moves for Bruno, Botman, and Isak, even for 100M plus. If looking to cash in on someone, Almiron who's 29 might be the one if someone comes in with a big offer. I think ASM still has upside potential and brings something noone else does.

We missed Bruno in the home game against them. We started well and scored early but fizzled out after 15 minutes. There should be more about us this time.