Abacus

We definitely should have subbed either Miley or Longstaff off for de Bruyne second half, I reckon.

I think this is one reason they surprisingly dropped the objection to related party clubs loaning from the Saudi League - that would have made it far too obvious that every new rule was to stop us. If we had gone down that route of taking loans, it would have only increased the animosity towards us more widely and lessened the scrutiny on FFP, which is I guess what they were secretly hoping for in dropping it. So I'm glad we don't look like falling into that trap. Gives us a clean pair of knuckle-dusters for the real fight.

I also think that any challenge could be done alongside other clubs with the same issue. Say, Everton, Forest, even City (as it might get them out of a hole). Villa too - if they qualify for the CL, they'll find themselves in the exact same position as us this year. Suddenly unable to invest to a level that makes them unable to compete and vulnerable to having their players / manager picked off by the same old clubs.

Didn't their owners pay £10k towards the cost of this mess? I imagine that's why the W is so big - they've blown that, and then fan-funded the rest. Someone must have got a voucher for the exclamation mark.

So... an argument about the best way get out fast enough? "I'd just jump a row down and get out the other way"

It probably went on the pointless exclamation mark at the end of that shambles. Or on the crisp packets on the flags.

Howe played this one exactly right. He didn't downplay it, took the press questions with grace, didn't respond to Mr Bean's taunts about us being massively funded, sent out a strong team, let them play to their best and didn't give Sunderland a sniff of a chance. Basically, he gets the club and deserves every fans' support. He needs support in January / the summer but there's nothing I've seen even through this rough patch that makes me doubt him for a second.

Hahaha, tough shit Bollard!

Well, this is what it's all about isn't it? The highs, the lows, the nerves, the excitement, the expectation. Let's go

Think it'll go the other way - beat these for a morale boost and shut up the doom-mongers, to set up a decent finish to the season. 7+th place and a cup run would be a decent return based on where we are now, and probably what I'd have hoped for last year.

I don't suppose we know, but I suspect that our various legal challenges helped box them into a corner so clearing the way for it to happen once the piracy issue was settled. I still remember trying to be at work when there was that court case live on stream and nearly crashing the website with us following it like an away game , where the PL's lawyers were absolutely fewmin. So personally think it was a combination of the two things, but I'm speculating there.

Basically, when you've only got 3 days between games because of European/cup competitions, it's mainly going to be rest and recovery in between, and not intensive drills or tactical tweaks to face your next opponent, as opposed to having 6 days or so. Which you can only manage with a bigger, trusted squad if you're in Europe year on year, that we haven't had the time to build due to our rapid progress last year.

I do think second half of the season we'll be coming up on the rails as an outsider, and wouldn't be surprised if Man U clicked like they did last year as well. It's very much an outside shot for us this year, but it should have been for us last season. Get through the next few games, and I'll start enjoying the rest of the season and being a dark horse again.

I'm hoping for a gunge tank.

I was thinking that way too - was itching to turn Liverpool over after that game at SJP at the time. Now I'm thinking - let's avoid a hiding at Anfield, maybe pinch a draw, beat the mackems and just have a fun ride in the FA Cup this year.

Someone must know. Keep it under your hat, but I've also heard he likes to win games now, instead of possibly in the future.

There are issues all over the pitch including confidence,and he's not a bad keeper in the right system, but he doesn't really work too well in ours, I think. He doesn't leave his line enough and sweep up danger like Pope does, leaving a gap between him and the defence for opposition players lurking on their shoulders to run into. Likewise, he doesn't command the box for corners or crosses in the same way. He does have better distribution, but then we don't hold up the ball well higher up the pitch or play possession, so it comes straight back. We've typically played better forcing turnovers when the opposition have it and staging a rapid attack when we do and they're on the back foot. You'd think he'd do far better in a team that stayed compact and sat back, launching accurate balls for counter-attacks which isn't really how we play.

He seems to be a player best operating at peak fitness, with a defined role, and the time to work his way into games. He doesn't look fit, and the team shape has been all over the place for the last few games for various reasons, so his limitations get exposed more. I'm not going to single him out too much; still think he can be a useful squad player while more pressing positions get upgraded or replaced.

Wood hattrick

Ted Bovis must really be regretting buying that shit show of a club right now.

Or any day

What way are you thinking of?

Agree - I'd rather UEFA was radically overhauled or replaced altogether, and not with these A22 jokers. That's probably just a pipe dream, though. But, I'd say the same about FIFA and the Premier League as well, to be honest.

Whilst I agree, for us, I suppose it's mainly to be marketed overseas for the TV money which is how it could work. But, what makes the PL and current CL work is the drama intensified by the fans actually caring and that reflecting on to pitch. Which is something the shareholding dorks never seem to understand.

I think Barnes is a bit unfair - a freak injury has stopped us seeing what he's all about. Tonali seemed a coup at the time. Then selling Wood and Shelvey was as good for us as some of the incoming players - and Tino looks a genuine star. That said, I'm not really sure if just transfers is what his role is mainly about - surely it's forward planning, infrastructure etc? Which all take a while to see the benefits from. Anyway, it's all just speculation at the moment so I'm not going to fret about it. Could well just be mischievous speculation to unsettle us, wouldn't be the first time just like re Howe recently. I suppose it comes with the territory when you start to threaten at the top.