Smal

we really need to get his contract sorted, mind.

Eddie Howe knew

I think he probably watched the Brighton game and tried to copy that because they played that shape against us too with the two strikers dropping in between the lines, but they simply aren't as well coached or as good at playing out as Brighton (). Their defenders aren't good with the ball and Ugarte is very bad at build up. Mbappé is also insanely lazy.

yeah, he went down a lot in my estimations last night. The Longstaff goal was the pinnacle of their lack of research. We make that move all the time and they weren't ready for it at all.

Hard to remember, but Lascelles was a very promising defender at 22/23. So much so that he became captain of the team. He had some rough years under Bruce but it looks like Howe is getting the potential he showed back then out of him.

Sometimes this season I've looked at our out of possession 4-5-1 shape with a flat midfield and thought it's super weird. We concede a load of space between defence and midfield for teams to operate in and it was exposed by Brighton and Man City especially. Last night we did the same, but Tonali, Bruno and Longstaff were each incredible at getting back behind the ball and recovering when it did get through them. I can kind of see how it's supposed to work now and it's basically just fucking running . Tonali was a key part of it.

Couldn't believe how much he was still managing to sprint back and help Burn out in the second half. Was like the duracell bunny.

The nudge he made on Dembele also stopped a pretty sure goal. Showed very good pace to get back for that too.

Also, Ugarte looked an absolute villager as well. Truly awful with the ball. edit: clogger auto corrected to villager but I’m gonna leave it

Skriniar looked an absolute disaster, didn’t he. Think Lascelles is better with the ball

just the way he says Newcastle is fucking traumatic, man

Maradona when he came on

I love him, like

absolutely speechless at that, wow. The Schar goal. Iconic.

Bruno Guimaraes has been absolutely sensational. A level above everyone on the pitch tonight.

Wilson is a big miss, like. Isak is playing a lot of minutes rn.

Yeah, Trippier is our main source of ball progression. It's so pivotal that he plays on the right so we don't lose that. I reckon Tino could play left back at some stage though. Personally I love seeing Dan Burn play for us though . Especially in the CL.

Team pretty much picks itself now, right? Pope Trippier Lascelles Schar Burn Longstaff Bruno Anderson Almiron Isak Gordon Big night for Elliot Anderson.

Wilson is there but seemingly not really taking part

He played on the left of a two the majority of the time there

What an absolutely unhinged weirdo

As much as I think he is a system player for us, I still think he’d be better for England than Gallagher and probably Henderson. England get more time on the ball than we do and Sean is actually pretty good with his passing when he gets more space.

I'm not sure Andersen makes much sense. Similar ability to Schar, is 28 at the end of the season, would probably cost £50m. If we're spending that kind of cash we will surely be looking at younger age profiles with a higher ceiling who we will have for many years to come.