St1pe

I’m pretty sure this isn’t true but I feel like it wouldn’t have been the case if we were still pissing around the bottom of the table.

I’ve struggled with this as well. I understand they’re a far better, more established team with better infrastructure but the price difference is huge.

They’re not though. I’m not taking it personally either I’m making the opposite point. People create narratives around players with absolutely no foundation and turn on them: “he’s lazy”, “he’s not the main man like he was under Bruce and doesn’t like it”. There’s absolutely loads of it online. Then that narrative gets pushed all of the time and it’s hard to come back from. Robert, HBA, Perez all got the same treatment - Perez had people that fuming that guy in the crowd gave him the fingers when he scored and did that ear cupping celebration or whatever it was he used to do. There’s a different bar set for creative players. ASM has been shite. It’s absolutely fine to say that and it would be equally bad pretending he hasn’t. All of the other stuff that happens is odd. Back your players - especially a one that’s been arguably our best for the last couple of seasons and one that helped us stay in the league to be taken over.

I’m absolutely shocked after those quotes came out and pages of people were after selling the lazy French so and so aren’t now in here backtracking after the story was clarified. Does that not fit the narrative some of you chaps have created around this guy then?

Weird that even taken out of context his comments are exactly what the majority of this forum have said about him for most of this season yet the majority are fuming he said it. He’s right. The timing is awful given his form and it doesn’t fit with the overall ethos the club has created lately but he’s absolutely right. I’m sure this happens at all clubs but the determination by some to demonise this guy lately is properly weird. If we’re ever going to compete at the top level again we have to be better at dealing with players with egos as a fanbase. Liverpool/City have this ongoing stuff all the time. Or we can go back to having 11 Jack Colbacks.

Chelsea have been rubbish for ages now.

I just think he’s playing a bit shite and it’s probably been a knock to his confidence. He seems very in touch with the fan base and maybe some of the online criticism has got to him. I’m convinced with better attacking players a long side him he’ll be too quality.

Saw a couple of people mention he’s been sulking and out of form since Bruce left but that’s not exactly true is it? He played arguably his best ever game for us v Everton under Howe. He has also been poor/average for the last 4-5 games. Why is there never balance when judging players like this?

I feel like these guys consistently get the displays right and are clearly ran by proper well meaning fans full of positivity. The timing of the Joelinton and ASM ones couldn’t have been better this season. I honestly think they’re up there with the new owners and manger for the improvement in atmosphere around the ground. Much respect to you all!

Wouldn’t have him back now but miss his creativity in the final third - especially the Rafa version of him. Hope he’s shit today.

I’m really bored of the narrative that’s shifted towards him lately albeit from a minority of your da types. He wasn’t at his best last night but his play started the move for our goal. It almost seems like the minimum acceptable bar for a player like him is so much higher than most players and if he falls below that he’s selfish, lazy, shite and we should sell him. It’s actually a bit weird. I don’t buy the defence that you should be allowed to criticise players - you can, but it’s never balanced or with thought. He’s been average since Everton mind but like others have said I can only imagine he’ll get better when we have better players and he isn’t carrying the only clinical threat.

I couldn’t see Everton getting relegated with their squad until Lampard started subtly blaming his players and evolved into prime Steve Bruce. If they stay up it won’t be because of anything he’s done.

Feels like it’s the first time we’ve been that shite in ages mind. Hopefully it’s a reality check and a kick up the arse for the next game.

Spurs are really good at the minute. We’ve been shite but Conte has transformed them.

Howay Johnny I look forward to these every game week now.

I was over the result until today. Such a missed opportunity from us.

I think that’s the problem though. Fans seem to latch onto certain players in a weird obsessions sort of way. It’s always happened, like Ben Arfa, Robert, Perez but now they have a direct line to them. ASM had been shite in the past couple of games. It’s absolutely fine to say it but people are going on as if he’s holding the team back now when it was only a few weeks ago he dominated that same Everton team.

Better goal scorer now too.

Reading a ton of hate this lad seems to ever increasingly be getting on Twitter. Some of our fans deserve the Ashley era.

ASM to come on and tear these to shreds again.

Really big opportunity for Miggy.

Maguire has been genuinely awful as well. Mings has been up and down.