ExiledGeordie

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.

He looks almost as jaded as the players on the sidelines at the moment. As you say I think the extra training time now will be vital to work on things going wrong. If they can beat the Mackems, give everyone a lift, get a few Jan signings in and some players back things will turn I’m confident.

It is mental that anyone could honestly seriously think he needs moving on right now in probably his first real crisis point with a severe dip in form coupled with a load of injuries. He’ll get the rest of this season at absolutely the very least and probably next season. That being said some of the stuff yesterday was odd in terms of how the game was managed with tactics, the mismatch of Burn v Elanga, how open our midfield was, playing such a high line against Forest when we were getting done for pace. We also look devoid of ideas in the final 3rd at the moment and it’s like he’s struggling to find a plan B to manage the situation. The midfield needs sorting particular as the defence looks so shaky. If they’re not going to buy a defensive midfielder someone needs to do that role more obviously for me. We’re getting completely overrun in misfield at the moment. I do think January is very important to freshen things up a bit and give him some more options as well as keeping the other players on their toes particular as injured players don’t look like they’re back until well into or the end of next month. It looks like the Derby is now becoming a key fixture because if he loses that it really could bring the mood of the club right down for the rest of the season which might mean a grim hangover. He's absolutely earned the right for patience from the fans and board given what he’s done already but constructive criticism is also perfectly fair looking at recent results.

I think he’ll be here this season at the very least unless it completely and utterly falls apart. He’ll get the rest of this season but depending on how we do I’d imagine they may look at other options. A long way to go this season still but it’s been a really bad run for Howe and the players. We’ve capitulated really.

The constant cutting back onto his left is infuriating

His final ball, finishing and decision making in the final 3rd is absolutely woeful at times, my god

Woeful defending too

He just has to better there, that’s fucking hopeless

Just get the win today, just get through Pool then regroup for the scum away and tough fixtures later next month.

?

As predictable as Miggy is, both him and Gordon have run themselves into the ground due to injuries. If Murphy and Barnes had been rotating in Gordon and Miggy wouldn’t have been so burnt out and we’d probably have seen more end product recently.

We really do to shake things up

Really important match, need a response before come tough games upcoming.