HaydnNUFC

True, but I don't think that midfield 3 is balanced. I wasn't convinced it was truly working before Tonali's ban either. I love Tonali, think he's a top class footballer, but the profile(s) of midfielder(s) we needed are still probably need are different to his. But I think that's more down to Howe and his reluctance/refusal to play or sign a more designated DM.

Won 1 game out of 7 where they've started as the midfield 3.

I'd still have sold Wood for the fee we were offered at the time, but we definitely haven't replaced him. Am aware his goalscoring return for us was poor but he offered something different and the ability to be a focal point; give us a different way of playing. Was key for that reason in that run that kept us up and in those few games around when Wilson and Isak were crocked when we finished 4th; Southampton away, Chelsea home, Leicester away. And his goal return for Forest has been very good as they play in a way to get the best out of him. We don't for our striker and haven't for too long.

Feel whenever I watch Anderson at the City Ground he's class. The one time I was really impressed with him playing for us was the last minute Isak penalty game when he come on at HT.

A very fair post, but from what's been out there across the summer up to now I don't think Howe is totally blameless for the summer. And it's looking increasingly like summer 2023 wasn't a great window either. Mainly in regard to not signing what we needed and regarding Barnes: I don't think Howe knows what do with Barnes particularly with getting him and Gordon in the same side and playing well together. Starting him or bringing him off the bench. He's a good finisher, but it's looking increasingly like an opportunistic buy imo. Made all the more odd by our galling situation at RW.

Slot and Nunez there

Non story. The hold up was about TV piracy and only ever was.

First time I've seen a ref stick with his decision after going to the screen. Good.

Dawned on me that we've lost the toss in 5 consecutive home league games.

It's Tindall apparently.

Another predictably insipid away performance and defeat, probably.

Perhaps true, yet at the same time we're seeing a continuation of absolutely useless set pieces and hopeless decision making in the final third. No clear patterns of play in possession that enable us to break the opposition down. Its not just one match, either. And I'm sorry about that. But I'm either positive or negative regarding what I see on the pitch with my own eyes in a narrow and broader context and I just can't see a reason to be positive or a reasonable counter argument (for want of a better term) for that to suggest that things are going to improve as they are. I expect us to go to Chelsea and be terrible and get beat because we usually are away against top sides and there's nothing to suggest that we won't be outside of blind faith.

I've lost an absolute ton of faith in him, personally. Almost all of it. This next stage of this whole thing under PIF, I don't think he's the man for it. I'm absolutely gutted about that, but I can't shake the feelings that I'm given from what I'm watching. It's stale as fuck.

Would love to know where that was. I can take you to where (I think) the best pints in town are but the best pint here is probably a shite one in Éire.

Howe needs to figure out how to get Isak involved in games more. The sample size where we've failed to do so is large enough now for it to be more than being down to the player himself. The way that we play hasn't evolved in a way that allows it when it should've done. Hopefully it becomes the case after he comes back but the proof will be in the pudding. Unless we can unearth an absolute diamond, he's quite literally irreplaceable imo. More so than the other top players we have.

A lot of them are. Crosses fired at pace either slightly behind them or at odd angles making them slice the ball or unable to get decent connections on them. Or they take a bobble, in Ronaldo's case against Sheff Utd. Rosenthal's is by far and away the worst. Open goal to aim at for a while, no one near him, is able to take a few of his own touches and still misses. Unspeakable levels of shite.

Will never not be convinced that Rosenthal's is the absolute worst of this lot.

Klopp was right.

Liverpool (H) staying Wednesday 4th Dec, 19:30 kick off. On Amazon. Villa (H) staying Boxing Day 3pm kick off. On Amazon Man Utd (A) now Monday 30th Dec. 8pm kick off. Sky. Spurs (A) now Saturday 4th Dec 12:30 kick off. TNT. Wolves (H) Wednesday 15th Jan, 19:30 kick off. TNT. Bournemouth (H) Saturday 18th Jan, 12:30 kick off. Kill iz. TNT.

Should be. We've only had one game moved to 17:30 and two moved to Sunday thus far this season. Four 12.30s.

Can TNT Sports fuck off with the early kick offs they're giving us, please?

Canny article on the form of safe standing that's come into this country. https://www.pimlicojournal.co.uk/p/the-safe-standing-sham

What are train, hotel etc costs like in Italia? I imagine they're hardly like the galling shite here.

No idea why they're not released at a set time, every time. Its like they enjoy taking the piss.