Smal

Do we know if Longstaff's ok after going off the other night? If he's out I'd be tempted to start Wilson and Isak. Really get at them from the off.

It's only my opinion, but Trippier has controlled far more of our games than Bruno has (and I love Bruno before anyone starts!). He is our main creative outlet and the player we look to to get us out of trouble. He does all this from right back, and is also part of the best defence in the league. I think Bruno has to start dominating more games more often (like he did against Spurs) to be considered on the same world class level. Based on what we've seen from Isak so far in a Newcastle shirt he's probably a top 5 striker in the world, mind . If he keeps this level up then it's not going to be a discussion soon.

Watching match cam and Schar was so annoyed about his goal not standing

My favourite stat this season is that outside of KdB - who is an absolute freak - Trippier has the highest expected threat in the league. It's a shit name, but basically put it is a cumulative score assigned for when a player moves the ball from an area you are unlikely to score from to an area you are likely to score from. It doesn't include set-pieces either so it's all open play - https://markstats.club/epl-players-22-23/ We can basically say he is the best build-up player in the league behind KdB, who is a top 5 player itw.

I'd love to know why they get them to go on the bikes so much. Being a cyclist and a qualified coach myself, if I'm training a lot I have to do a shit-tonne of stretching and strength work on glutes/hamstrings. Cycling effectively shortens your hamstrings because you don't fully extend them on a pedal stroke - I'd imagine you really don't want this if you're running/sprinting a lot.

I think he's our best player by a distance .

Anyone who's happy working for the daily mail is a cunt, like.

Man Utd home was pure ecstasy. If we were as clinical in that game as we were in the last two it could’ve been owt

We'd be mad to sell him unless we were bringing in a talent on the level of Kvara or Leao imo. Even then I don't see why ASM couldn't operate from the right in this system.

was terrified when he went down injured. Over 9 fields gained by pass. Miles better than anyone on the pitch at progressing the ball.

I dunno, maybe they didn't see it as a problem last season seeing that he'd managed to play in 35/38 games.

No, and that's kind of the point. For someone with his explosiveness, going from doing low intensity training to very high intensity training immediately will be destroying his muscles. I think a full pre-season with focus on flexibility, strength and conditioning would do wonders for him.

Is he the only one left over from Rafa's staff?

Last season he made 35 PL appearances. I think he's just been unlucky this season and it will take time for someone with his physiology to adjust from training once a week under Bruce to what Howe has them doing.

Lucy Ward is normally really good on commentary to be honest.

Earlier in the season I’d have been all up for replacing him to be honest. Whilst it was clear he had ability, he didn’t look capable of getting the numbers he should be getting for someone who plays like he does. The last couple of months though… he looks like he might develop into something special. His assist last night has gone under the radar a little but it was incredible. He has much more to unlock as well, I think. Like first half he was barely involved at all, but he really stepped it up second half and helped make the difference.

He was knackered after half time, like. Needs some more games but I’m not sure he’ll get them now.

the combination of words in this post is surely gonna set off some alarms at GCHQ

I don’t understand why it was on yesterday instead of today?

Another top class performance from him. Perfect striker for games like that.

it was all about weathering the storm and holding our nerve. Wait for them to inevitably run out of steam and take our chances. Last 20 minutes they didn’t really get near us apart from a weird goal from a corner.

Once they ran out of steam we absolutely took the piss out of them . There were leagues between these two team. Leagues.

cannot believe what we’ve just seen from Isak

Targett is absolutely blowing. Understandable though, this is an extremely physical game to come back to.

Just hope Trippier’s ok. Him and Bruno have looked like the only two players capable of using the ball.