Tiresias

Cant believed he was benched in favour of Clark so often. His contract is up isn't it, has there been any talk of an extension? I kinda think he'll want to go elsewhere if Botman and Carlos and who knows all come in probably lose his place anyway but still would be nice to have his quality in squad

I'm at about a 4 too, as I think we are now not among any favourites for the drop mind. But 4/10 still scary.

'Pretty much safe' is an exaggeration. If we keep accumulating points at teh rate we are we should be fine. But if Trippier is out for a length of time we're still finding it difficult to score and teams below are not a million miles behind yet.

I think sometimes how 'pessimistic' or 'optimistic' someone is goes to how they manage their emotions as a fan. I tend to assume the worst, will be wrong half the time but then prefer to be pleasantly surprised. Some people are optimistic, will be wrong half the time and enjoy the optimistic outlook and deal with the failure. Fair enough. I don't think i've ever gone on a cynical warpath and i don't really mean to be negative so do apologise if have annoyed you somehow. I am not going to apologise for trying to keep my feet on the ground though.

As i've said not long ago he's doing a fine job and looking forward to how he takes us forward. We are not safe yet, and even if we win every game i am not going to apologise for reasonable doubts on him. I have always liked him as a good progressive manager who tries to play football the right way. My doubts are probably no more than doubts over if any manager can overcome the basketcase this club was before the new owners came in. There is a lot to turn around and very well done for Howe to seem to be getting over it. But we are not safe yet. Even if we went down I may conclude not much more Howe could do. I just am not calling him the second coming of Keegan yet.

Better not be out for long

Get in! Even I will start believing we can stay up now

at this rate we could win this game and it get us relegated with the number of injuries

asm injured too?

ffs Trippier injured

Trouble is coutinho is the sort to do nothing all match then curl one in from outside the box out of nowhere, still think they'll score

ffs Wood

I think done are getting a little over excited on here lol he's doing a fine job at the moment seems smart and getting must things right but we're not safe yet.

I fear a bit of a return to earth loss at this point but i am very pessimistic person

Possibly, fear it will make us look daft though. I also kinda think these transfers seem to be negotiated over months if not years beforehand cheeky bids unlikely to happen. Fairly sure Mbappe to Real Madrid is a done deal already isnt it?

I also want Botman now cos Botman and Burn sounds like an ITV detective drama

Shame we dont play Derby as well for some England 'golden generation' bingo

Oh probably but I suspect if we do it will be up and coming variety. I think we'd struggle to persuade a player who hasn't that many peak years left to come to a project that may take a few years before competing for champions league, maybe one already on their way down for a last payday and do we want that?

Would much rather be going for young players to build around for the future. You buy Koulibaly if you are already in the champions league. Considering Dan Ashworth appointment who seems to be about smart recruitment and appointment even of Howe that feels the plan too. There will be time for signing star players like that but dont think it will be this summer, and if we do I would be very surprised if they are 30 years old plus. Resale value is gong to be important to keep up with fair play rules.

Manquillo is baffling can be very solid but goes through patches if invisibility. Seems in good form last few times seen him would be much happier with him than Murphy who is not very defensively minded

Has Ashley taken over?

Is my hatred of frank lampard as a manager rational? It goes back to 'spygate' in championship when Frank got incredibly upset over Bielsa doing due diligent scouting (which is kinda hilarious cos I can't see why Bielsa does it considering his tactics are exactly teh same regardless). I don't know if Lampard does all the behind the scenes hard work looking at data etc he comes accross as having such a high opinion of himself that he is above all that. He could not sort out Chelsea's defence, froze out players and he is the one manager they've had for ever who could take on a dressing room that is famous for turning on managers. How quickly Tuchel sorted the defence out is shocking. Still there was stuff to admire in how good going forward they were and bringing Mount through. I just can't help but think he's out of his depth but totally unaware of it. Also Tory wanker but that's kinda irrelevant.

Well if it was round the ball would never stop rolling as it would all be on a slope

I was kinda excited for this but also now kinda worried world war 3 may kick off before this...

Agree on Nedem Omuoha, I heard him talking about the weirdness of being a premier league player being expected to be on time exactly and wearing club outfits etc and being in charge as a captain of doling out fines etc for minor breeches and then moving into punditry world and having a culture shock of 'what you mean i can wear what i want?" was actually quite interesting hearing him talk about how sort of weirdly infantilizing being a footballer is albeit he saw the point