Lush Vlad

I sort of get it in the heat of the moment, at the ground, watching in the pub, straight after the game etc. Especially when there is alcohol involved and it is still raw. But to think people think what they're going to post, type it all out and then still post something shitty, even when it has calmed down a bit. That's a bit much IMO.

I was saying this yesterday and mentioned similar on here a while back. The bookies really don't seem to factor in how bad our away form is. We were favourites at Brighton and all.

Agree with this. We say it about match days and how the crowd are just sat expecting us to win and the atmosphere is flat. But certainly true in general. I rarely even bother scrolling through them. But the comments on the club's official Instagram posts are horrendous. Full of absolute idiots.

The dust has settled and I've calmed down a bit. But the away form has gone from being a concern to a huge problem. We were somehow worse than the week before at West Ham and in both games, I think 3-1 flattered us. We've gone from looking really solid and hard to beat, whilst creating very little. To being a soft touch, easy to play against/through, shaky at the back and full of mistakes. All whilst managing to almost be worse going forward. In both games easy 5-10 yard passes were going astray from the likes of Tonali and Bruno. To a man, our first touch and pass appreciation always seems poor. We are making a lot of individual mistakes, which can't really be accounted for and put at Howe's door. Although collectively, we have been really bad the whole of 2025 and it's like our players shrink when they're not at SJP under the lights. If it was just a few players the last two away games, then you could sort of understand it. But it seems like almost the entire team bar a few exceptions, have been miles below their usual levels. I have no idea what the answer is. But whilst Howe's loyalty has been admirable and understandable, I think it is maybe time to make some changes and try and freshen things up. I'm one of Pope's biggest fans on here. But it wouldn't hurt to give Ramsdale a go now. As much as it saddens me to say that. The Burn at left back situation has been sort of through necessity. But history is now repeating itself there. Certain games, he just cannot play there and it isn't fair on him to keep hanging him out to dry. I'm at the point where I almost feel like Trippier at left back and Krafth at right back would be a better option. Miley and Ramsey should be getting more minutes, I think. Different players, but both want to get on the ball and we are crap at holding onto it. Barnes deserves a run on the left now, whether Gordon is fit or not. He may fade out of games. But he is basically one of our only goal threats and finishers in our squad. Hopefully Hall and Tino coming back will give us a boost and some much needed balance. Along with Wissa as a different option.

Not really sure where to put this and I almost feel like it's thread worthy, as my feelings are quite strong on it. It can go in here because it ties into Howe and the whole squad in general. We are really bad on here at tearing players down and making it a bit personal and OTT. I include myself in that, as I do find some players more easy to take to than others, Gordon for example I just can't really have. So I think I'm a bit overboard with my criticism of him. I'm a hothead so definitely say things in anger on here and read it back when I've calmed down and think 'what a twat.' These players have given us all our greatest day in supporting the club, they seem a really likeable bunch and on the whole, have performed up to and beyond their skillset for long periods of time. But a bad game, poor run of form or if they're on the decline and we seem like we can't wait to abuse them. It's fucking pathetic, really. Go in a player thread after a win and it's usually fairly positive or quite measured. But after a loss, forget about it. It's not just pointing out they've had a bad game. It's all 'fuck off you useless whatever.' 'Get him out the team, he's shite.' 'He's crap, his legs have gone.' 'Waste of money. Luxury signing.' There is never any nuance or balance to it and the place reads like it's bipolar week to week, game to game. Whatever happened to supporting the team through the good and the bad?! Why has it become like social media on here? Maybe it always has been like that and I've just not paid enough attention. Maybe it is like that for all clubs, I don't go on other forums, so I wouldn't know. But it somehow feels worse when we're continually abusing this lot. I'm not saying they all read the forum. But they're human beings at the end of the day, playing for the club we all follow and love. Yes they're well compensated for that, but it just feels a bit shan giving them dogs abuse all the while. I think it's more than fair to point out when a player needs to come out the team, they've had a bad game or they're out of form etc. Without making it a bit personal. I for one am going to try and be more calm and less abusive right up until the next game.......

At most set pieces, players are almost Rugby tackling each other and it is widely accepted. Slight touch to the foot. "Well there's contact. So it's a penalty." Strange logic.

I think they just went down the not clear and obvious route and not enough to overturn the decision. Real time, I think the ref makes the right decision both times. But then when you see the replays back. The first one could easily be given, even though it is a dive and minimal contact. The second he doesn’t touch him.

I thought in a quagmire of shit. He looked alright But we’ve lost yet again. So any positivity on here is not allowed.

Just had a proper look at the league table…. We’re not, are we?! Jesus Christ

Looks good in the CL. Mainly been poor to average in the league. Gordon in disguise. Like I said in a couple of other threads. Pope is getting all the stick. Yet Botman was far worse. For someone who wants a new deal. He isn’t really playing like he deserves one

I gave up hope last year and he fully turned it around. I think Wissa, Tino and Hall (if he fucking plays him) transform us as a team and a squad.

I thought he had got rid of some of the questions around his away form from his Bournemouth days. The same as he proved he could set a team up well defensively. But this is quite some run of away games where we must be up there with the worst in the league in 2025? Almost impressive in a way that we managed to be worse than last weekend Not under any pressure for me. He will find a way. He always has done so far.

Was last week our Brentford away from 2024. Or is this our Brentford away?

Botman should be getting more heat than Pope for this performance. Not playing like he wants a new contract he’ll be getting a paycut at this rate

Pope is also an England international though….. Awful game from him. But like West Ham, it’s not like he was the only one. Botman was almost as wank for the goal as Pope was. Yet he seems to have hardly copped any flak. Not against Ramsdale playing now though. Pope seemed to improve after Ramsdale signed. Now he seems to be unsure and playing a bit scared. Time he comes out the firing line I think.

Positive that we can play quite well with 10 men. Negatives = everything else

His blindspot with Burn is ridiculous. Not even Burn’s fault. He is a top CB. A poor LB who in certain games gets totally isolated and taken apart. Hall should have been on at HT.

Why the fuck has he left Burn on. It’s on Howe this.

Why the fuck do we persist with Burn at left back.

Is it fuck. It’s horrendous from him and he’s had a bad game. But Botman literally flicks the ball across goal Not ideal that we gave them yet another long throw and Burn got roasted (again).

Shit from Pope. Shit from Burn 1 on 1 again. Shit from Botman. We’ve given them about 30 long throws. So can’t really complain.

Do Sky only have the Amazon and John Lewis Christmas ads available?

I think it depends how much we want to adapt and build the team around him. Difficult to go from a direct, vertical and counter attack side. Which is built on high energy, physicality and pace. To trying to play with such a silky player. Who doesn’t really have any attributes to suit that style of play. Worth adapting how we play and even recruiting players to suit IMO. He has the talent for it to be worthwhile.

Don’t think it went down as a Woltemade assist because of the touch from the Brentford player. Same as the rat’s vs Everton. Although I remember Salah getting an assist where it hit the opposition. Cartel rules are different.

Take the greats out the game and the top 20 Prem scorers, say. And I reckon you could put Barnes’ goals up against anyone. He is ruthless and loves a worldy.