Smal

Charlton keeper been amazing, sadly

we were definitely beaten by the better team on the day but I think it’d be a bit daft to think that having the manager wouldn’t make any/much of a difference really. Like I say tactically we don’t know how much input all of the staff have but we were miles off them everywhere. Of course there are various reasons for this but it’s hard for me to imagine Howe setting us up that badly and persisting with it through the full 90 without really changing anything. We were very lucky it was only 4 - could easily have been really embarrassing.

specifically in terms of mentality I think Howe would help a tonne. When players like Bruno and Schar go head’s gone he’d be there sorting them out. After that we don’t know what else Howe brings in terms of tactical detailing but I think it’s obvious that we’d be better off with him there isn’t it?

so bad, proper heads gone all game.

yuck, move on.

win the home games. Could do with Fulham and Spurs doing us a favour tomorrow and City beating Villa.

Get Trippier off set pieces man!!!11!!

one of the main problems today imo is that we haven’t done this. Schar has stood 10 yards off Watkins every time That huge gap in midfield has come back big time.

one of his best performances at the weekend to one of his very worst. Been at fault for most of their goals.

Watkins has had the freedom to do whatever he wants today. Nobody has been anywhere near him at any point.

Schar not challenging Watkins at again. Really bad game from him.

feels like they have an extra player tbh

it’s annoying because Maatsen is wank defensively and we haven’t taken advantage of it at all

need to get Joelinton closer to Isak and go more direct imo

Alex ffs

hopefully we tweak our press at HT. Rogers and Asensio can pick up the ball and turn way too easily. We just look a bit tired as well tbh. Villa should tire as well though.

what is Schar doing here ffs. Just giving Watkins all the time in the world every time, like he’s terrified of him.

our midfield hasn’t been able to pick them up at all here

think it’s a red if it’s not just going straight through to the keeper

not winning any duels so far

Ritchie on Sky

their full backs are horrible, we really have to get at them

I think it’s likely that he has become more professional in a more professional environment and that this is his natural level; which he was unable to hit when he was younger because he didn’t have the same approach and mentality to training. The likes of Howe, Trippier, Bruno and Burn came in and immediately changed the mentality of the squad. I don’t think that can be overstated when you look at the performances of the likes of Murphy, Schar and Joelinton; and even the likes of Krafth and Lascelles who haven’t played as much but have performed at a much higher level than they had previously when they’ve been needed. Someone said it before but Rafa must’ve seen something in Murphy to have decided he wanted to spend most of his budget on him. The club was rotten though, and despite Rafa’s efforts it wasn’t an environment that encouraged an “elite” level mentality like it is now.

please win

I think his leadership alone is worth the wages tbh. Especially when you consider you would have to replace him if he left - it’s not like you just wipe out the wages and there’s no transfer fee etc. to bring in a replacement.