Lush Vlad

Now I know how Usher felt when he sang Burn

Same.

Gets away with murder that cunt. Proper hatchet man. Should have been off against us before he finally got a yellow.

I think this team has gone a bit stale and PSR has been a shitter. But this team should not be 12th, 2 wins in 11 and a -2 goal difference. Then again, we’re sandwiched between Spurs and Man U. Saying all that. It’s not even the league position, for me. It’s how bad and repetitive our performances have been most weeks. In the round. We were really good most of the first half of last season and it started to go south after the Man U game, from memory. When the injuries became a massive factor. I’ve not seen anything close to that this season and we’ve played well over 90 minutes in what, 4-5 games.

Runs around like a dog going after a ball. I reckon my dog has a better touch and more spacial awareness than him, mind.

Did I hear right that quite a few of their regulars now were not signed when they first came up? Like they got too many players in. Then eventually settled on a team and a lot of these were signed after that. I’m sure it was on 5 Live or something.

The squad is much better than what it is showing. Yes the 4th place was over-achieving. But the performances on the whole this year are miles away from where we need to be. Results are not much better.

What did he do wrong apart from trying to force it at the end? Which was a clown show moment and lucky not to get punished. Something he wouldn’t usually try and do as it’s miles out of his comfort zone and his actual ability level Superb save from that deflected shot/cross. Not much chance with the goals.

Yes and no. I do think he is a victim of his own success to some degree. Too much too soon. Then Last season also had an unprecedented amount of bad luck and injuries. But we now look nothing like a team ready to push for a European place. So many of the same weaknesses are on show every week and most of this season we have looked poor. I’ve been saying every week that I think things will improve, I think he’ll turn it around, he deserves a bit of time. But not sure how long you can keep saying that for and unexpectedly. That second half today was when my mind was made up that he won’t turn things around. As it was the same old shit we’ve seen all year. The squad isn’t perfect, certain players are past it or not good enough. But this team is better than what we have shown for all but about 4-5 league games this season. Performances and results wise.

Are you fuck You’ve posted with a negative slant regarding Howe’s tactics and selections for ages. It’s not about it being his first genuine bad spell for myself and many others I’m sure. But he is repeating all the same mistakes, performances by and large have been crap this season and there seems to be something fundamentally wrong with pretty much all of the players. How come so many are seemingly out of form at the same time? He got a pass last season. Injuries were a genuine reason for a lot of it. But this season we seem to be even worse, less of an identity and usually terrible when making changes and tweaks mid-game. I don’t want him gone. I love the bloke. I just don’t think he will suddenly turn this around. When the way we’ve played most the season (and last season at times even allowing for the injuries) don’t inspire any confidence. Plenty are saying similar and it’s totally understandable.

Not sure that last paragraph is right at all? I didn’t hear many fans of other clubs saying he should lose his job. Similar in the media, bar the clickbait, Talksport sort of shite.

Said it in the Barnes thread. He wants too many touches and always slows the play down, surveying what’s going on and holding onto it for ages. Before eventually coming infield. Rarely uses Hall’s overlap. Although TBF, the one good thing he did, was play a nice ball down the line to him not long after he came on. We lost all of our attacking threat once he went to that side. Barnes and Hall looked miles better as a pair.

Yeah. He always seems to have various niggles that he’s playing through. But going down a lot more than usual of late. Throw in the fact that he’s miles off his usual, physical levels then it would make sense. The fact he’s not had his 5th yellow for what, 3-4 games now and not really looked close to getting one says it all

I did edit it to say ‘for the most part’. Some basic errors and crap defending at the back again.

He was dreadful today. But quite a few of ours were. Just more noticeable when it’s your talisman and captain, I guess.

His passing has been dodgy all season and he has made a few mistakes here and there. But today was bad. He was partly at fault for all 4 goals.

First half was brilliant for the most part. Second half was very similar to West Ham. Fuck all in the way of chances, team went to shit after a goal and the changes we made. Nowhere near as woeful as Palace and we got a point there. But I’ve seen that second half one too many times now.

I have had this view all season and for last season, when some didn’t buy the injuries excuse. He just isn’t showing anything that makes me think he can turn it around, though. Played what, 18 games league and cup? Nearly halfway through the season. Mostly been uninspiring or crap performances and looked a shadow of our former selves. We never seem to be able to find consistency or play two halves remotely the same. We now have a strong bench. But usually look worse once subs are made. Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth being the main ones that stand out in my mind as actually working or improving our chances. Too many players look out of form and all. It isn’t a coincidence IMO. I don’t see why so many players would be below their levels all at the same time/all season.

Mr Creosote?

Do we have to appoint someone similar to Steve Bruce for a couple of years if Howe goes

How would it be fun? You actually paid attention to the football his sides play or his last however many jobs? The man’s an utter prick and past it.

We looked far more of a threat with Hall and Barnes linking up. Barnes actually releases it to Hall and would sometimes look to shift the ball quickly. I thought they linked up well. Gordon, for all his pace. Often slows the play down and often ignores Hall’s overlap so that he can cut back into traffic.

I suppose I don’t have faith that he will turn it around nor do I think he’d be the man for the rebuild if we sold a big name. That second half I’ve seen too many times this season. Last season he had genuine reasons and I backed him all the way. I did this season up until the last 10-15 mins there. I had deja vu watching that half. It’s just the same old shit and I don’t see how he can suddenly change our fortunes round when he clearly isn’t learning or adapting. Even if we win our next 3. We have some tough games after that. So it doesn’t mean we’re back on track all of a sudden. I’m usually wrong with my football opinions (and betting). So I hope I’m wrong. I’m just not sure what giving him the season and another transfer window achieves. Feel proper sad about it all, TBH. Love Howe and what he’s done. But I just feel like he’s taken us as far as he can.

I’m now at the point where I think with no additions. It is worth giving someone else a go. Fresh ideas, a different style of play, clean slate for certain players etc. If we do have money for January and Howe is still heavily involved in transfers. Then I’m not sure I’d trust him with those decisions or would I want ‘Howe’ players bought in. As I’m now at the point where I don’t have any confidence that he will turn it around here. Which has made me more sad than the defeat.

Pains me to say it. But he’s not got long left here. This second half has been like most of the season. You can count on one hand the amount of decent performances and most of them have been from a decent spell or half and not a complete performance. That was an absolutely pathetic second half and once again. The subs make us worse.