Coffee_Johnny

Well this place is not much fun at the mo. Roll on Villa… no Fulham… err best make it February. Roll on February.

Maybe coming back to sell?

Here’s hoping for extra time and pens in their semi final 3 days before our game.

Did you not go through a ‘seemingly psychic’ phase in predicting transfers? Shame on you and your mind bending superpowers!

Awesome compilation. The team’s he has scored against man! ?

Very ‘crabby’ comment ?

Rabbits! You missed rabbits!

Is midseason league position the only relevant factor? How about the spectacular football we’ve seen? Having players like Isak, Bruno, Gordon, Botman, Trippier? How about witnessing the resurgence of multiple players from what looked like a relegation fodder squad? The absolutely remarkable second half of the season, year before last? Finishing 4th last year. A cup final. A Champions League adventure? Recently beating Man Utd twice, City once, Arsenal, Spurs, Villa, PSG and generally holding our own against top teams—including the two most recent Liverpool defeats? Even our biggest ever away victory might feature? We can then think where we may finish this season and what could still happen in the FA Cup? Given on our day we can beat anyone. Start to sound like a more reasonable return for the outlay to you? Plus, more than anything, the sense of having a team able to compete. An ethos, team culture and sense of camaraderie we can be proud of. I’m pretty happy with the return to be honest.

Recall people on here touring him as an option/rumour don’t know if there was anything in it, club wise, mind.

Marcelino as sleeve sponsor? ☝️

To be fair like, City are great at finding that space. I think it was Foden last time they beat us who kept popping up unmarked and they do it against others too.

Howay man, ‘Jim’! Get with the programme, I only remember your wondrous dribbles not the losses of possession!

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Was that after the amazing double tackle in the box then getting clattered by Rodri? Can’t remember the time off the top of my head, but he was fantastic and that sequence of play deserves more love.

I watched their game yesterday, paying more attention than usual. This could be a really tough game even if, as it seems, we are on the up for wise. Whilst they seem a bit ponderous going forward at times, they are super organised and difficult to break down. I thought Palhinha and Willian (crafty as fuck…) played particularly well.

If we had a 20-20 crystal ball, then you might have a point. No Willock, no Barnes, no Targett, no Tonali, Joelinton , Longstaff, Wilson, Murphy, Burn, and Isak in and out. I’ve no doubt missed absentees. We have by far the most ‘missed days’ and the third best XG in the league. Still made a decent fist of navigating the group of F and tough domestic cup draws. Not much wrong all things considered.

I thought it was a great game to watch. Five wonderful goals. A disallowed first goal. Against the run of play coming back and taking the lead. Almost making it three before half time (how sweet that would have been… although we were 3-1 up against them last season). Knife’s edge finish clinging on for a drawer against the Champions of Europe. I understand the disappointment and worry as the games tick away. Bottom-line is that not many expected us to get anything. And we didn’t. The craft, the tactics and the battle were there for all to see though. Guardiola’s joy and compliments were genuine and for good reason. We are getting back to what we can become. We’re a quarter of the pieces down from a formidable top four side who can give anyone a game, anywhere, anytime. This time next year Rodder’s… .

Chris Schar and Fabian Evans

Nothing, in terms of reasonable preseason expectations, has gone yet. It’s just about probability. If we can put in a run comparable to the second half of Howe’s first season then 4-6th is still within our grasp. It boils down to how likely it is that we will. Form very recently is against it, form/results earlier in the season and players coming back/the squad we have (on paper not recently all on grass!) suggests it is still possible.

Surely it warrants a few ‘tears’. It is frustrating as hell and where better to vent?

Venison and Bracewell immediately spring to mind as excellent signings. Given also qualifies (though was only there briefly/on loan?). More distant past, Jeff Clarke & Pop Robson, I think, qualify/played for them first.

Impressive! Was wondering if I was there. Sad to admit, even if it was Southend I still have no idea whether I was there ?‍♂️

??

Forgotten all about that strip and that goal. But not about Atsu.