Cf

Ouch.

It was a potential ankle breaker so yes. A sin bin for getting in refs face etc does seem like it could have a place.

It's our first season after being bottom at Christmas. I think it's clear the club wants to go places. A transition season of 7th/8th is hardly the end of the world.

I think my main problem is that on paper we had what a lot of us will consider to be our strongest attacking players on today. But they've just not played together really and there were plenty of examples today where they weren't on the same wavelength. Both an advantage of playing the same team week on week and a disadvantage because it meant others were being frozen out and those relationships weren't being built.

Didn't realise Howe learned the shithousery from Bournemouth.

In league terms this feels like something of a season defining game in terms of the top 4. We've dropped a few points recently and really need the win here to keep momentum and confidence on our side.

He's taken up the vacant Chris Wood role. Ok maybe he hasn't been that bad but clearly a long way from where he should be.

I hate us now.

Great start obviously but started to look a bit shaky as that went on. Game was far more open than we needed it to be. Felt we should be controlling the pace a bit more.

Would be a bit soft that.

Sort of glad Pope has conceded that in some ways to stop that stat being a thing that brings pressure.

Ugh.

Longstaff!!!!!!

I mean it's a soft as fuck yellow but you can't just push people over because they've done you.

Why's that not a yellow?

I love Almiron but we need someone who has a right foot.

That was a sitter!

Might be able to relax and enjoy this now.

GTFIT

I listened to his post match interview and was refreshing not listening to a Klopp or Arteta type. You could tell the interviewer was trying to get a reaction out of him on the various incidents but he wasn't biting. Said he thought the red card was fine, if it hit Armstrong's hand then correct decision, etc. Talked his team up whilst praising the way we went about things. Just good all round.

Was one point questioning ASM but have been impressed by his recent appearances. Done enough to justify starting in my book. Clearly playing more of a team game. He opens games up just by having the ball in his possession. He's like a center of gravity to the opposition. Quote in the tweet above makes excellent reading too and suggests a player with the right attitude rather than moaning about or having an expectation to start.

Thought he was generally good yesterday and it helps he's on the same wavelength as the rest of the team, particularly Trippier. Scoring worldies every game was never going to last. He's on my list of probably want to upgrade him one day but there's other positions ahead of him for a while yet.

Wilson seemed like he was playing hot potato rather than football last night.

Wilson looks like he needs a rest. Isak must be starting by now. He's had enough easing on now hasn't he?

Murphy my new favourite player for that.