Happinesstan

I do remember something. Was it the nipples?

It's a mystery to me.

We're getting our mojo back which led me to the Doors. Maybe a rendition of LA Woman where we call out every player would be a good way of showing appreciation. I loved the one we sang when Rafa was here. Might be a bit long to do every player, like.

Hope he never gets that satisfaction, but wouldn't hold owt against him if he went a little mad. If the lad has had issues since youth, you can't help but applaud his determination to succeed, in football of all places.

Until we're planning to upgrade ASM [why would we] then he's the perfect LB for us. Whoever targeted him for the role was spot on.

I do think a Bruno Joelinton pivot with Shelvey/Willock in the more advanced position, is the way to go. Bruno and Joe pressing from the middle, a bit like Rice and Phillips for England.

If we deploy Bruno as the deeper of the 3 then that allows Shelvey to loiter in positions that endanger the opposition more than ourselves. Yes, he'd be a luxury, and Willock's development is coming along nicely, but it's a blessing to have both options. The way Howe manages this could be massive to our chances. However, after last night's team performance I'd hope he would be backed if he eases Bruno into things slowly.

I suspect that had a lot to do with his strong desire to sign.

Him and Howe is a great partnership. can't help feeling that a lot of Trippier's mentality was forged when he was playing for Howe, early on. The speed with which he joined us was remarkable, and could only have been down to his eagerness to work together again.

This is relative to the receivers ability to control the ball. There was a moment early on last night that he mis-hit a pass to Trippier, who controlled it all the same. After releasing it you saw Trippier gesture to Lascelles as if it was nothing. Reflects a similar attitude, throughout, to Howe telling Fraser not to worry about the goals.

I think there is a lot in this, just a simple lack of sharpness and focus that a professional athlete needs, and only comes through coaching to the highest standards. His last two games have been solid. Last night immense. The way he bounced back from the own goal reminded me of the Jamaal that Rafa appreciated so much.

Aye, difficult to drop anybody. With Targett being an enforced change, it's probably a good idea to keep things as they are. Give Bruno his full debut away to West Ham. Play 5 at the back and let the midfield of Willock Bruno and Joelinton control the middle.

Gives us an alternative way of getting Maxi into the game, in a more direct manner. So far we've seen what Maxi can do with the ball to his feet, and the defence in front of him. Running onto through balls, with the defence chasing him brings a whole new element to his end product. Don't blame the lad for trying to score last night, he deserved a goal and the game was won, but he had 3 players in the box to aim for which will reap dividends in the future, if he continues with his better decision making.

Makes me feel we're back. I've said it for a long time, that our fanbase can be our worst enemy. 50k Geordies applauding even the simplest of contributions is way better than 50k Geordies berating every tiny error. It was always a fine balance when we had a capacity of 36k, and when we expanded it was at a time when the intention was to fill it with quality. We've since resorted to filling it with players who, on their day, can raise their game in such an atmosphere, but lack the quality to do it week in, week out.

Howe has been in management a long time, for his age, and doesn't have a glittering career to fall back on. he's grafted his way to the top. He didn't walk in to a PL job, He walked his club into the PL. That learning curve sets him up for a long and successful career. I think Gerrard will be another who will have a top managerial career with little actual success. He'll be applauded for his methods and players will be derided for not adhering.

Outstanding tonight. Deserved a goal and can't blame him for trying that shot towards the end, when a ball into the box was the correct decision. His decisions last night were much better in general.

Any other player would have taken 2/3 more weeks to sign.

The next Steve Howey.

This cunt been picked by France yet?

Third goal was the seal of quality that was needed.

Nah. Lascelles is responding to Trippier's influence and put in one of his best performances, last night. Trippier is already a captain and we'd get nothing extra by making it official. Whereas we could lose a lot by stripping Lascelles. I think it's time to bury the hatchet with past performances, there isn't a single player in the revised squad that doesn't deserve full support.

Early prediction that this guy will be a top manager.

looked as though Shelvey was the first player he spoke to at the end of the game last night. Could be a sign that Howe wants to keep his spirits up for when he's dropped next game.

The Digbeth Kid has done alright.

A win would be massive, but it's not must win. It's maybe a "must not lose". A point could see us out of the relegation zone, which would be canny, but we need to going for the win. I think it will boil down to game management in the end. Will be more confident if Burn is 100% fit to start. Don't want somebody standing on his toe after 5 mins and using up a sub.