Infinitely Content

No way does the universe allow Bruno to leave whilst @PauloGeordio still graces this earth like. He will sign a new contract and all will be right under the sun.

The least of our attacking outlet concerns tbh, he's the only one of our 7 or so forward options who has the chance of making it to the top level. He's not perfect but he's by far the best option we have and the only one who top clubs would even consider buying.

Was having a look at our transfer history and I think wikipedia summed it up nicely about big Nick.

That's true as well, we were needlessly frantic from about 20 minutes onwards and any semblance of composure only deteriorated further and further as the match went on. Seen it happen on many an occasion this season.

There was an alarming moment for me today in the last 30 or so minutes when the substitutes were being made, and without Bruno or dare I say Isak on the pitch - I realised we don't have a single player to get really excited about in an offensive manner, someone who can do something special, beyond ordinary. I've thought it many times but in that moment it became abundantly clear. I think it was because it reminded me of when Pardew brought Ben Arfa on for 20-30 minutes and he terrorised a tiring Sunderland in the 1-1. Felt a bit sad about it to be honest, all that money spent and we don't have any magic.

Well deserved, Harvey. Echo what @Shadow Puppets said entirely.

Harsh on Geertruida, he's had enough for today

Howe in for me, but if we're say half way through next season and we still have nothing to our game beyond pressing and intensity, then my view would change. Klopp managed to evolve Liverpool's pressing style with phases of controlled possession, without losing the purposeful transitions and counter-pressing. That's what we need, we're never going to be a fully possession based team, but we have to have some more sophistication to our game otherwise it'll obviously be time for all parties to move on.

Of course, and that's my point really - if it's a daughter reacting to some comments she read on Instragram, it's understandable; but in context to football and the wider picture of this season and our supporters, I don't think it's warranted or accurate. And of course her prompt wasn't quite astute enough and produced a statement which aims at the wider fan base rather than a few comments she's likely read.

I don't think many people are abusing the players, manager and coaching staff though. Certainly not in the stands. Boos and displays of frustration and emotion are natural and normal in football after such games and lacklustre results and performances. Howe and Tindall will understand this more than anyone having been in football at a high level for so long. I think the fans have been mostly really good and shown patience and understanding this season.

In the context of football and that our fans have been largely brilliant in their support of the team and staff during tough spells, she's wrong - but in context of a daughter feeling upset about reading some comments about her dad and Eddie who she likely knows too, it's understandable. I doubt her dad will share her sentiment though, he knows what football is all about, and he will realise that the crowd in the ground has been mostly brilliant in their support, which wouldn't necessarily be the case at other clubs.

It's been our problem all season, once the intensity leaves our play, we lack quality and any semblance of an idea of what to do. It's been a frustrating watch for most of us I think, as you see it unfolding before your eyes, the intensity drops either after we score or after half time, and you know the writing is on the wall from that point onwards. Your lot deserved it today, did exactly what you needed to second half and did well to recover from the early mistake too.

Think Callum Wilson is her ghost writer

He's a quality defender imo, one of the best defensively in the league - it's his attacking play and decision making where there's still question marks and work to be done. I think he's class.

I remember feeling slightly uncomfortable watching his unveiling video for the club where he was asked who his favourite player is and he answered Kai Havertz. Didn't quite realise we were getting a poorer version of him.

Has some great qualities if we can put it all together, but there's a gulf between him and Schar mentally which he will need to work on, as we haven't looked a good defensive unit since Schar's injury and potential decline. Only 24/25 though, so he can certainly grow into it psychologically if it's in him.

Entirely unsurprising performance and result unfortunately, that's the team we are this season. Sunderland deserved to win the game for getting their goal and using it to build momentum. The precise opposite to what we do. Mentally weak and physically/psychologically drained I suspect - which is not the fault of the players admittedly. Massive changes and improvements needed.

Massive respect to Gordon like, his role in this set up is challenging and asks for abnormal work rate which he's offering undoubtedly today.

Played Barnes.

Elanga is braindead like. We need to improve here and gain some composure, we're needlessly last ditch at times at the back. These are absolutely shite, we've shown we can play it through them easily, yet for some reason we started to play frantically.

Obviously hope he has a stormer and gives us a bit of the ingenuity needed to break them down, but Woltemade doesn't have the aggression, tenacity or urgency for a game like today imo - especially in midfield. Willock would have been my pick.

4pm kick off here, but this cursed school I work at has lessons running until 3:30pm on a Sunday. Not very Christian of dear old Georgia.

Happy birthday, Paulo!

Let's not forget how dreadful we were with Woltemade up front. Needs to be Gordon and two of Murphy, Barnes or Elanga. That change is largely responsible for our upturn in form imo, this isn't the game to be gambling in hope we suddenly know how to be a functioning team with Woltemade leading the line.