Lush Vlad

Look so nervy. Almiron is going my head in with his passing and wanting 5 touches all the while.

Horrendous start. Keep trying daft passes and giving it straight away. Not even always their press causing it. Just needlessly sloppy.

Wasn’t expecting that lineup. But it’s not like it’s a bad team and I don’t mind the freshen up. I’ve doubted Howe’s team selections at times this season. Then been totally wrong. So not going to do that again!

Player of the Season: Bruno - it feels like you can make a case for a good few. Joelinton, Trippier, Schar. But when Bruno doesn't play, we are a totally different side and it is really noticeable how much weaker we are. Flop of the Season: Targett - seems harsh singling him out, as he's not been playing and putting in bad performances. He just can't get in the team for whatever reason and seems like a waste of money, at this stage. Most Improved: Almiron. Unsung Hero: Schar or Longstaff. Signing of the Season: NEEEEEEK Pope - he's had a mini-wobble of late. But he has been flawless nearly all season, prior to that. Isak and Botman seem like transformative signings, moving forward. But they cost quite a bit of money in comparison and Pope is the best keeper we have had in my lifetime, I reckon.

I know they won both. So it’s a bit irrelevant now. But everyone worrying about Liverpool. When they’ve just relied heavily on two VAR decisions to beat West Ham and should have conceded late to drop 2 points against Forest. I know they have players coming back and have been in this position before in previous years. But I’m struggling to see, based on this season. When they have ever looked like stringing a load of results together and consistently performing well.

Bowen looked onside and that’s been given as a handball and a pen all season. Utter bollocks man.

Shame it was offside, great finish by Bowen. Van Dijk has been awful for that this season. Used to be unbeatable one on one. Now just backs off like he used to without diving in. But then never engages the attacker and carries on doing a Danny Simpson until it’s too late.

Ramsdale has gone to shit the last few games. The whole team has had a wobble and he’s been one of the worst culprits.

I like them and all. No idea on the correct pronunciation. But Raisbeck always calling ASM ‘San Maxima’ annoys me more than it should.

His dirty laugh when we score or the other team fuck up gets me every time. That and him basically having a heart attack when we score. This one from the other week is my favourite. Sounds like he’s just been shot or he’s stood on a plug or something: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqjE1K-A3MU/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Just had a flashback to the announcer shouting “BRUUUUNNNNOOOO” in a really cringe and camp way when announcing the team Even that feels like it is timed wrong and it’s announced too early. It’s quite a bit before kick off and seems like a lot of fans aren’t even in their seats or in the mood for chanting and getting overly excited 15 mins before KO.

We have started the last three away games really slowly and either should have been, or were behind in the first 10-20 minutes. The last two home performances have been nigh on flawless. Start like we did in those two and we will absolutely batter these. Sat with an Everton fan yesterday and he is not looking forward to it at all after watching that Spurs demolition live.

Anyone notice Richarlison refusing to warm up/come on? Most the first half he was just stood moping. Second half he was motionless for about 10-15 minutes. I’m sure they sent a coach down twice to tell him to get on and he seemed to refuse both times. Seems a complete and utter bellend. £60m well spent.

If we can manage his minutes and keep him fit to start the odd game. He is a great option to have. Totally different to Isak in how he plays. Isak was always dropping off, looking to bring the CB’s (mainly Romero) with him. Which worked a treat in the first half. He also likes to try give and go’s and also dribbling from deep. When it is on, he also looks for the ball in behind and he has the pace to hurt teams. Wilson is much more of a target man and physical presence than I ever gave him credit for. When he is fully fit. He seems to relish the physical battle with defenders. Looks to pin them and roll them when they get tight, always a nuisance from long balls, goal kicks etc. I’m sure the first thing he did when he came on was go and look for Romero. Just started hassling him and backing in. Won a few battles against the CB’s in the short time he was on, bought some cheap fouls and got Romero booked. They seem a brilliant 1-2 punch to have. Just not sure Wilson will be happy playing a bit part role and not being the main man for the first time in his Prem career.

There were spells of people just chatting to each other. Really strange atmosphere when it’s like that. Villa 4-0 was similar. Today, everyone seemed knackered after 5 goals in 20 minutes. It is always the way with games like that. I bet it would be the same at most grounds up and down the country. Except perhaps in a derby game. It’s been said on here loads of times. When we are cruising and comfortable. The intensity goes out of the game and out of the crowd as a result. All that nervous tension and energy gone in 8 minutes! Yet in tight games, the atmosphere can be electric. FWIW, I thought there were a few more songs than usual and it got pretty loud. The Spurs fan I was with said he was surprised most stands join in with the chants and said it got ridiculously loud at times. But I suppose that was always going to happen with the goals flying in like that. I’ll never understand people fucking off on 37 minutes. Leaving on 88. Or wankers that are up and down all game for a pint or a line. But that happens every game.

Wankers.

Got back from holiday Friday at 6am after at best, half hour’s kip on the plane. Up to the Toon yesterday morning about 8, whilst feeling jetlagged to fuck. Followed by a heavy old session until about 3 this morning. Sat watching that in our end with some mates. One an NUFC fan, a neutral and also a Spurs supporting mate poor old boy looked like he was going to cry. Just got home. My brain hurts. This fucking club, man.

Pure carnage at the end. Great to watch.

It’s alright now. Southampton will be depressed as fuck after they lose 4-3

Was looking forward to the Southampton game and an easy three points. Suddenly, it looks like a hard game. I know Arsenal have been fragile as fuck the last 3-4 games or so. Full blown Arsenal crumble with custard. But Southampton have still plucked a top quality performance from out of nowhere tonight. They looked dead and buried after the Palace game. Shame we can’t play them at their place again

What a guy!

I remember listening a few times when I was up staying with family. Didn’t Super Mac make a really awful Stewart Downing joke live on air. Then come up with some half arsed apology? Or have I imagined that

Foster can be a bit of a ‘ooooh banter’ bellend. But I’ll be giving this a listen.

Pope has been on Ben Foster’s podcast. Just saw a clip of it advertised. Out later today, I think.

On that second point. I think football fans can be guilty of overrating their own players and performances. But also of the opposite and being overly critical. Not many teams in this league will dominate games from start to finish and stop the opposition from creating any meaningful chances. We did it against Man U. Villa did it to us the other day. The Brentford first half they battered us. Then we should have scored 4 in the second. West Ham had the spells where they pressured us. But were not clinical, defended badly and we ended up taking the piss in the end. In loads of our games this season. There have been momentum shifts and spells in matches where one side has the upper hand. It’s how well we have dealt with these and the game management (Eddie Howe’s Dark Arts Mags™️) that has been so impressive.