Tiresias

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

I dunno fraser spoke about struggling for confidence having not scored may be poor man management to drop him as soon as he finally does

Oh man that tiote cabaye midfield... Should have built to something better

I think the original comment was about yo cabs and it then ballooned as a joke

Omg look at those hecking doggos

Brave of Bruce to show his face at a game again

a consistent solid plan is emerging now. Physical. hard working, team are fit (oh my god how nice is it to close out a game the stronger team rather than wilting after 60minutes) with width and pressing. We need to get better at ball retention particularly to take teh sting out of games (hopefully bruno will help with that) but there is some coherency not just pinging it around at random,

We're absolutely not safe, as said few bad injuries and we're right back in trouble. I think on balance we'll be ok but still a long way to go and will be some dispiritiing losses still

Still decent chance, say if ASM has a season ending injury or something. Play like that should be able to get decent points return, Everton were poor lets not forget but first time looked solid.

think best game for us

I agree but clearly howe wants a team with leadership throughout. I am very critical of the actual ability in the squad and bruce tried very hard to drain away the mentality but the reason we didnt get relegated under bruce (somehow) is there is good mindset quite deep into teh squad, Lasceles, Schar, (ritchie when playing), even Shelvey if you forget his actual stupid tackling all are vocal and seem to fight for each other. Wilson and even Big Joe seem to buy into this too. Bruce fluked his time because half the squad could do his job themselves and the other half had a hard lesson from rafa in taking responsibility. Taking the captaincy from a player seems unnecessary when the team have the attitude to fight for the team and not let ego get in way. We have been desperately poor but i dont think a lot of the squad has ever been lacking in leaders really is all i mean.

Fucking hell just saw oh only 2 points behind wigan in 2nd and then saw wigan have 4 games in hand, bloody hell!

Alright 6 was harsh but i didnt mean it that harsh, if i think someone is poor they get sub 5 scores!

Playing Gerrard next, shame dont play derby after to have a run of England 'golden generation' games lol

Possibly lol see others loved him but he frustrated the hell out of me first half

Dubravka - 6 Didnt have to do much, quick off his like well late on Trippier - 9 absolutely brilliant performance Schar - 7 Grew into game Lascelles - 8 Unlucky for his own goal but made up for it and was back to what he used to be good at all action confident tackling Target - 7 - Very solid Joelinton - 7 - Lack of end product again comically shown but worked his socks off again, seemed to get better through game otherwise, as thought he was poor for some of first half Shelvey - 6 Lucky to get 6 for the stupid could have been red tackle that led to their goal. Decent otherwise though Willock - 6 Not good at keeping ball so frustrating but when everton were struggling and we were in front was good outlet ASM - 9 Unplayable. Wood - 5 Maybe unfortunate not to score but doesnt offer a huge amount unfortunately Fraser - 7 Best game for us possibly with goal Subs not on long enough for rating