ExiledGeordie

While I do think we’ve been unfortunate with injuries I’m sure the medical team and management will probably look back at certain decisions and think “did we do the right thing”. I’d imagine the severity of the situation probably made them roll the dice or take a risk more than they would’ve liked.

Cole and Beardsley was just amazing to watch wasn’t it

I bet he’ll always wonder what his career might’ve been if he’d stayed put. But as you say it seems maybe given his lifestyle and just inability to stay fit that wherever he ended up things may not have been much different to how it turned out. He was absolute wrecking ball at the height of his game though.

I can see Bruno going eventually to be honest. Combination of profitability and his desires/ambition but I think it’ll be after next season.

Absolutely, I don’t see him going anywhere

Howe is a victim of his own success. All the positives in terms of impact that he’s had which Kid Icarus has outlined above have led to a meteoric rise in stature. Thats meant for some fans I feel a sense that the standards/league position/champions league qualification cannot drop at all irrespective of circumstances, which is unrealistic. I disagreed with my local journo mate when he said that the club absolutely HAS to finish in the top four now have qualified last year. I just don’t think that’s realistic with the squad we have. I mean even if we’d had everyone fit or just a couple of injuries qualifying for the top four and managing extra games with the champions league would’ve been tough. Howe can and I imagine will adapt tactically and learn from this current situation which has been very challenging but there’s no way his position should be questioned currently. Yes people can comment on or question things he’s done recently but ultimately the injury crisis this season has been the worst I can remember and has completely knackered what we’ve been able to do as a team. Even having 2 or 3 subs (e.g Barnes, Anderson, Wilson) to bring on last night and we’d probably have at least held on for a draw.

Absolutely spot on

The seapn almost starts afresh end of the month. Some time off, hopefully a few players back and maybe even some signings. I think some of the fans need a break too ?

He gets the rest of this season and next season imo. If after players are brought in in the summer (and this month) and we faulter next season then I think they’ll start looking at other options.

Or midfield currently

?? they really do and while doing that keep repeating “Barnes, Anderson, Willock, Wilson, Murphy, Joelinton, Tonali”

I would rather we’d have gone for it more against probably the best side in the world but how exactly do you propose we did that looking at our bench?

Bad isn’t it

Yes exactly, if we’d we had Anderson, Wilson, Barnes, Joelinton, even Murphy we could’ve taken the game to them more. They also brought on KDB ffs ?

FFP is a reality mate (maybe it will change with pressure behind the scenes who knows) and to be honest the comments from the club just strike me as being realistic, from Howe and Eales. It is what it is I’m afraid. They obviously want success, but there are constraints, unfortunately. Think back to how utterly shit it was under Ashley and that might ease the frustration a bit.

Good player but ultimately a squad player for me given where we want to go.

In fairness while it’s frustrating nobody has come in activity usually happens later in Jan particularly loans. I also think it’s probably inevitable that Bruno goes at some point.

Bruno will be the asset that is sold eventually I’d imagine

Mate why do you even bother following football ffs ? Have a word man you utter misery

Playing that side with so little options. He reserves the right to be judged when he at least has something to work with ffs. Injuries have killed the season.

? ? It’s like some enjoy being given any opportunity to be negative

He absolutely loves himself

Crying out for other options in the final 3rd for rotation and just to offer something different.

?

Great thing about this result is the lack of noise a mackem win would have created (and rightly so to be fair). We won 3-0, it was pretty comprehensive and it denies the media story a lot of people were desperately hoping for. The quietness is deafening.