Geordie_once_removed

He was key to your goal and most of your good attacks in the first half but how Tino glided past him for Barnes' first was very poor defensively.

Baffling. I posted about this in the dullard punditry thread, how can you be so wrong. Barnes is literally a winger who specialises in finishing.

Is it Hot Shots where they are crunching each others balls and one guy ends up spitting his out his mouth with squeaking "You win". Anyway, that was us to Scum United today.

Barnes, Tonali and Tino all fantastic today.

Pretty sure yes.

He's been great recently. Great to have two great options on the left.

Whoever was on second coms on Optus Sports came out with a corker today. After Barnes' second goal he said something to the effect of "He's now adding goals to his game which was always the one element he was missing." That's pretty much Barnes' USP. How can a professional commentator get it so wrong?

Also completely ignores their recent transfer record which has been patchy to say the least. The way PSR has tilted the field in the favour of clubs like them means they will make a couple of expensive signings for sure. That they'll be "quality" of that I'm far less sure. Our transfer record since the takeover has to be one of if not the best in the Premier League. So I'd favour us to buy the players we need to improve over them.

He is a human who has to agree to sign for City which I doubt he would if their intentions were so nakedly exploitative. Also City generally haven't been this obvious in their actions so I don't see this personally.

I forgot all about him. Does any team have as bad a record at buying strikers as West Ham?

My view is a bit different. We still often struggle to have controlled possession against good to top teams. When we're at our best, like the cup final, we still play a version of the system that got us 4th. Ultra high pressing and lethal in transition. Howe has tried with mixed results to move away from this. A player like Gomez in a midfield 3 with Bruno and Tonali could help us has a less physical more technical option for a midfield 3 that would allow us to play that alternative style we'll need if we want to be a top team.

Can't wait to hear him lecturing us all about how the next generation should show some respect. 2035's Gabby Agbonlahor.

I see him here next season then leaving for a big fee which I'm largely ok with. For some reason I just can't see him being here longer than that even if we do get Champions League this season and next.

In the last few months a new keeper has jumped right to the top of my summer shopping list. Then RW and CB. Of the high profile players available on a free, I hope we go for Tah (would allow us to go for a Rigg or Delap) and Gomez.

Some part of my brain always makes me think Lewis-Skelly plays for Liverpool. I think because it sounds like Scally. Anyone else have this issue?