Lush Vlad

I thought City would slip up somewhere. But not this soon. If Arsenal manage to do the double. I think I might just stop watching football.

I don’t have an issue with it not being a straight red. It was more the fact he got away with the most blatant yellow card earlier in the half. I know you could argue that he then doesn’t make such a daft challenge when on a yellow. But he was lucky, either way.

They hit the woodwork 3 times and Mavrapanos’ scored a goal that was about 2 inches offside, which would have made it 1-1. I thought on the highlights only. West Ham were a bit unlucky to lose so heavily.

Krul was quality for a couple of seasons. Never the same after his injury. Given is widely considered as our best keeper in modern history. So that’s fair. Harper was decent as cover but wasn’r starting quality. Forster and Woodman never did much for us or elsewhere. They better than Pope? Not fully old enough to remember Pav or Shaka. But better than Pope? I know he has his clown show moments and he has become a liability. But to call Pope one of the worst keepers you have seen for us is a wild take IMO. He looked like the best we’ve had in the Prem era his first season and a half before the shoulder injury.

Maybe showing my age. But when have we been spoilt with keepers?

I’m not comparing the two as managers or as decent human beings. But it feels like when Pardew held HBA to some ridiculously high standards and would regularly criticise him. All whilst playing the likes of Obertan and Ryan Taylor at right wing week in week out.

This is why I watch football. Not many flair players left. Instead we get set piece coaches and articles about why Declan Rice is allegedly the best midfielder in the world. Great nostalgia here, too. I was at loads of these games. One of my favourite kits and all.

Doesn’t read well, that. Posted a while ago about how whatever level you play. Certain players are easier to drop or sub because they’re an easy target or won’t kick up a fuss. I always thought it was Barnes in our squad. But maybe it’s Hall, as well.

And an attitude transplant.

To go with the fact his touch, crossing and passing has been poor. That video just further illustrates how bad he connects with other players. It’s like he has never trained with his teammates before and he’s a ringer (without the ability) playing for a Sunday league team. Not that the lack of chemistry is exclusive to him, mind. We’ve played like strangers all season. During Howe’s time here. I think a lot of our success has been down to great partnerships and link up play between certain players Trippier and Almiron. Murphy and Isak. Barnes and Hall/Tino. Schar and Burn/Botman. Big Joe and Little Joe. Bruno and everyone. I’ve not seen anything close to partnerships forming this season. Players in and out the side all the while and rarely having in form players in the team hasn’t helped. The wings in particular have been horrendous. Considering we exclusively attack and try and progress the ball down the flanks. That’s not really ideal.

I was gonna say. Wissa has been getting far more abuse than Gordon. Barely seen anyone sticking up for him.

Would be far from ideal. Man U would be a lot better than recent seasons, I reckon. That’s assuming he gets buy in from everyone. But they’ve got rid of most their divas, haven’t they?

I couldn’t find the Bart Simpson gif for the ironing is delicious.

That’s true. But what about staying motivated to keep Howe in a job? I know some have an eye on a transfer and/or the world cup. But if they are still onside, if they respect the manager and they are still buying into what Howe wants. You would have thought they would still be running through brick walls for him? I know it wasn’t really the discussion. But I have seen it mentioned plenty of times. FWIW, I don’t really buy that they have downed tools. Some seem to have and before Arsenal I was starting to think they had. Even though I thought we were crap at Arsenal. I don’t think they had stopped playing or trying. Not in the same way the likes of the Chelsea players had packed in under Rosenior. I think it is more a culmination of many factors. The main ones being how we still set up in games and that we have been lacking a clinical goal scorer all season. For almost the first time since Howe’s been here.

Sorry. I moved this to the squad and tactics thread. As I thought it was probably the wrong place for it in here.

Yeah. I did under Pardew, Carver and Bruce Dark times.

If Howe stays. Surely the club will be looking to replace the utterly useless set piece coach and perhaps also look to freshen up the coaching staff in general?

He just never full evolved. I’m convinced he is a neanderthal. Must have somehow survived frozen for years or something.

Really? Holier than thou, smug, condescending. All ties into sanctimonious. Hence why I found that last line amusing. The ironing is delicious etc.

I’ll let you work it out.

Erm?……

I thought that was more of a pen than the other two

They can’t keep getting away with it

Came in to say the same. So wasteful. Could/should have had a couple already.

I voted no in the poll. But it is also a yes. I still back him and will continue to do so whilst he is here. I’ll not be calling for him to be sacked and I’ve been wrong about him twice in the past. Before he then massively turned it around. All that said. This time, I genuinely don’t see how he is going to change our fortunes. The performances have been pretty bad in the league all season and the squad needs a huge overhaul. Despite just spending big (and wasting a lot of money) in the summer. Cliche and a bit of a throwaway comment. But it does feel like we have been ‘found out.’