HaydnNUFC

So much went against us pre January after Howe come in, be it individual errors or shite refereeing; Darlow costing us 2 goals directly v Brentford, penalty we didn't get at 0-0 at Arsenal, Clark red v Norwich, penalty given to Leicester down there at 0-0, head injury nonsense and Shelvey setting up a Liverpool goal at Anfield, pen we didn't get v Man City, failing to beat Man Utd despite thoroughly deserving to. Only Cambridge, Watford and the second half at Leicester in that run were really bad. But even still, we'd only brought in Trippier and Wood by the time that Watford game finished, sacking Howe and bringing Benitez in would've been mental. We'd clearly improved tactically under Howe and it was clear that despite the poor results, we needed the signings in to improve on the many weak links in the squad. Alas, we beat Leeds and have been in top 4 form ever since that result.

We just drew 1-1 at home to Watford and a few people on here wanted Howe gone and Benitez who'd literally just been sacked by Everton in as we were 100% going down with the former iirc.

Liverpool, Brighton, Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal all still have to come here.

You rotate players in and out, especially if we're playing Saturday-Tuesday/Wednesday almost every week next season. All of the clubs at the top do so, so players will always get games. ASM seems fine, but for some reason whenever he's not starting or posting on social media people make mountains out of molehills. He's just been injured/sick most of the season. Regarding FFP, if we're in the Champions League next season which really is within the realms of possibility, the windfall from it is enormous. You get seven figures for merely winning a group stage match. Sponsors on top of that from the CL, shirt sponsorship coming in, manufacturer deal may change. All will positively impact FFP to the point where we can stop constantly thinking we need to sell to buy.

You need a squad to compete on multiple fronts, especially given the likely scenario where we're going to be playing some form of European football next season. You don't build one by selling your better players.

We'd have stayed up that season had we binned McClaren after the 5-1 loss at Chelsea and brought Benitez in then as we had a 2 and a half week break before Stoke (a) and Bournemouth (h). 4 more points would've kept us up. What a club we were.

El Sackico next weekend will be interesting.

Not really. Only slightly irks me when we're playing Manchester United or being discussed in relation to them (ie this current top 4 race) and they're referred to as 'United'. But never outside of that context.

Inshallah.

Both shite. Just have someone to read out subs and goalscorers. Happy days.

Been in my head rent free all day today, that bloke. Was definitely a new guy wasn't it? Absolutely shit, played the PL theme from 2013-2016 for the pre match handshakes (it should've been this), tried announcing a sub during the penalty which didn't actually take place until well after that phase of play stopped and flicked through tunes that were played post match when Benitez was here like La Bamba. Must've found an auld CD.

A professional 0-2. They've lost their last 3 home games, scoring once and conceding 9. Should be targeting the 3 points. And they play on Wednesday.

Thought he did well yesterday. No matter how he performs he pulls out 2 defenders to him creating space for others, offering us more in attack. Especially against a side that sits deep, though he's at his best when on the break.

What formation were we playing when we brought Alex on? Swear it was like 4-3-3 but with Isak as the attacking midfielder in the midfield 3. Funny as fuck. Fuck off Fulham. Victoria sponge scranning cottage botherers.

Was there a new announcer at the ground? Swear he played the wrong PL anthem for the handshakes.

Sat fucking creased in the Forth at this https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11236575/crystal-palace-1-1-newcastle-luka-milivojevic-penalty-cancels-out-mohamed-diame-goal https://youtu.be/mPcEz_oCORw

Have my ankle pls rei

Still out in the town for a few sensible ones. Deserved the win on the balance of play but the pen malarkey never seen owt like that in me life. Isak winner, inject it in me fucking veins. Hope Bruno's sound. Onto Palace.

I lost the fucking plot. Was definitely in a different row by the end of the celebrations. Fucking beautiful king that he is.

Gordon I think

Ivan Toney was the last player to score against us at SJP, which was a pen (shock). Only Man City and Bournemouth have scored against us from open play at SJP this season, twice and once respectively. We only conceded 5 league goals at SJP from open play in the whole of 2022; 1 v Watford in January. 1 v Liverpool in April. 2 v Manchester City in August. 1 v Bournemouth in September.

To play the Evertonian advocate, 3 individual bedsheets don't reflect their entire fanbase. Fairly sure @1878 explained that before the results began to turn dreadful there wasn't any animosity inside Goodison Park towards Benitez, despite it being an appointment that was never going to work. And the 'fans expect the best banner', I believe that's play on their motto which is on their crest? Nil Stasis Nisi Optimum translates to 'Nothing But The Best' I think? May be wrong like.