ExiledGeordie

Shame he wasn’t involved yesterday he would’ve loved that. Absolutely fantastic player when fit but sadly his injuries mean we’ll see less and less of him. Needs replacing as the second main striker behind Isak and should be used as a 3rd option for 15-20 cameos in league games and for cup and Europe assuming we get a European spot. I hope he stays but I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes in the summer with someone coming in and offering him a longer contract.

I actually don’t mind her reports on our games really, there’s far worse out there.

Heard him on talksport, just fuck off you biased mackem twatt

I don’t know for sure but I think there’s a genuine need for someone to come in and give us some protection in CM. Currently probably Longstaff I’d say. Sitting with Joelinton and Bruno slightly ahead

I would imagine if we genuinely want KP then we’ll come to an agreement of some sort with City.

?

My concern now going into this game is how out of form we are, how badly we give the ball away at times and how easy we are to play through. The likes of Bruno, Isak and Gordon should mean we put them away still but I’m definitely miles more nervous than several weeks back. Just so many players out of form or burned out. Big performance needed from Howe and the lads otherwise the season could take a really horrific turn downwards.

We need a new striker. If he’s happy to be a 3rd choice then fine but I’d imagine a newly promoted side will offer him a 2-3 yr contract. He can’t be the 2nd option if our 1st option also has injury concerns.

I think it’s the proverbial “we need a performance” before the derby. I expect to get beaten but I want us to give it a proper go so we go into the derby with some momentum. Another flat performance and roll over and it’ll be a worry before the Mackems. We’ve got players to hurt them but we’ll have to have a perfect performance.

I’m sure Howe will look at things and think well maybe I could’ve done this or that differently but probably small things. But the squad size is key as we’re still building. I think even if we’d had no injuries or just 1 or 2 our squad would’ve been stretched given the sheer number of games and the high quality nature of them. We basically picked up a few and then things spiralled downwards because we were then relying on an ever decreasing pool of players. The sheer number we’ve had and really key quality players - Barnes, Willock, Botman, Anderson, Tonali (albeit for different reasons) has completely fucked us. You can’t take all these players out and have such key games and not really struggle.

It may be true about current players it may be bollocks but it’s not that far fetched as this type of stuff has happened plenty of times with footballers.

Interesting video looking at what Phillips could bring to the side with the caveat that his best form and therefore assumption of what he could offer is based around form from the 20/21 season.

We sometimes rise to the occasion in these games but because of the factors you raise above I think we’ll get our arses handed to us.

He’s been bombing on far too much at the moment. One of the factors leaving us wide open.

Good point as I do think next summer we need to look at a midfielder who can create something and score goals.

If Howe could get that Phillips back, the Leeds version he’d provide perfect cover for the back four and Bruno could do what he does without having to worry if he loses the ball there’s a sudden break on to our defence. Doesn't necessarily mean he’ll come here but on recent evidence a player like him is exactly what our midfield needs.

I was thinking this when I read that comment ?? He might need to get his sharpness up but there’s no issues with his pace ffs. In fact right now his pace would suit us perfectly to cover a massively shaky back four. People come up with some corkers on here. I think some people are getting ahead of themselves in terms of who we sign. We aren’t Man City yet and currently Liverpool and Arsenal will have more pulling power (and cash).

Theyre also showing some signs re a slight dip in for. Football can change quickly.

Well said and yeah Jan is important. They know the squad is on its arse and he’s been struggling. If ever we needed some new players, it’s now

Spot on, great angle. Barnes and Tonali have been a disaster but I don’t think that’s the clubs fault and in Barnes case not his fault either. Neither situation you could predict particularly Barnes injury. Tonali is slightly different, could they have done more background work? Who knows, seems unlikely but he’s a recovering addict ffs.

Burglary/marital issues have been mentioned, who knows. Whatever is going on has affected him because he’s usually the calming influence on the players on the pitch and isn’t having that effect currently.

He’s never been quick but Christ post injury he’s even slower than normal. That was a car crash vs Elanga yesterday.

Man he was so so slow yesterday. Clearly still finding his feet after injury.

If hes starting at the start of next season im going to go properly beserk ?

God help us if he gets injured we’d be really fucked then. I think we’re far too over reliant on him to be honest but I suppose good players stand out like that. I’d like to see some defensive solidity behind him to help him run games. He also doesn’t have the recovery pace to really get back and help out when we lose the ball.