ExiledGeordie

Thats well summed up. I’m pissed off and deflated because I care again. I loved being back in the Gallowgate and singing again yesterday. Longterm I can see hope and ambition and I’m in it for the long haul which is key for me. I still feel pretty grim today though.

I agree I think overcoming the Ashley effect and latterly the Bruce effect was always going to take a monumental effort. I did expect a greater improvement with Howe though particularly going forward. I think he’s got some big decisions wrong and our defence hasn’t been tightened up one iota. Ultimately though I just don’t think these players are good enough which is symptomatic of the Ashley regime over all these years.

Just watched MOTD highlights. We really did go to pieces after scoring and to be honest Sissoko should’ve buried his chance after Lascelles cock up. The way we sat back inviting them on, players like rabbit in headlights. We should have gone for Watford to finish them off but players crumbled and Howe has to take some responsibility for this too. Wood has to do better in position leading up to the goal, we get down with a nice 1-2 but again Lascelles and our defence have to do better. Its a worry the lack of creativity going forwards with 1 shot on target against woeful opposition combined with the constant errors at the back. This current set aren’t going to get us out of it without some key signings which still could just about save us though looking very unlikely. (Our midfield too, Christ. Absolutely woeful)

Having been completely disengaged when Rafa left and while Bruce was here I’ve enjoyed rediscovering passion again. That result really was a hammer blow today though. A proper sucker punch. I sat feeling completely flat and emotionless in my local for a few pints at the bar.

Longstaff morning as chasing shadows in 2nd gear

My brother who has played a bit of football and I’ll defer to regards footballing knowledge had concerns about Howe coming in. He was worried that the defensive side wouldn’t improve at all which desperately needed sorting. I think some of his concerns have been proved right so far.

Absolutely dreadful

Yep this current team isn’t good enough to stay up.

Sums it up nicely

Big game for Howe this one off the back of Cambridge too

i think if it’s 0-0 well Into the second half it’ll be either an amazing strike/bit of play or a howler in defence that seals it for either side 1-0. I think with the crowd if we get at that defence early they’ll crack.

?

Mathematically it’s not over if we lose today but Christ when and who are we going to beat if we can’t be Watford today? They’ve been dreadful recently, we have to put them away.

I think if we deliver a limp performance and draw or worse crumble and lose it’ll confirm that unfortunately we probably aren’t going to be able to get over the line with most of these players with all the other pressure games to come. It’ll take further major signings to keep us up. I am feeling strangely confident in some way that the players might rise to it with the crowd. Wood to batter them, howay!

I am far more confident with Wood and Trippier in the team though. Solid characters at each end of the pitch. Actually fairly confident Wood will score.

Totally I can’t be arsed with going over a needless sending off or a horrific error at the back.

Can’t wait and yet completely bricking it. Think it’ll come down to which defence doesn’t fuck up more. I can see them really struggling to deal with Wood and I can see him scoring on his debut but I have nightmare visions of getting caught on the break. My worry is some of our players dealing with the pressure too.

Assuming he can stay fit I think he’ll be key to the second half of the season.

I could see Willock running onto knock downs from Wood better than Longstaff but he’s been equally woeful recently. Maybe Longstaff can pull a Man U performance out of his arse ?

Ah shite

Can Manquillo not play left back. Ritchie again, god no

It’ll be interesting to see the effect of having someone properly solid who can hold the ball up and solid in the air for knock ons and bringing others into play running on (ASM, Fraser, Willock etc). It also gives Watford a completely separate issue in terms of defence. They will be shitting it on corners and free kicks. Fwiw looking at his highlights, I’ve seen slower players too. Sure he’s not fast but he doesn’t look like the slowest striker we’ll have ever had.

Yes I think you’ll see a pacey, exciting forward come in this month too. Will be good to have different options.

well summed up

I no can see the logic in terms of a target man whose good in the air particularly as we’ve signed Trippier. If he comes in as one of two then fine but as the lone option far too risky.