Thiago

This thread is great for the people who think we're either floating or drowning

Honestly I'd not be against playing him over Willock at times. I hate Willock's attitude. He's either Yaya Toure or a ghost.

I feel bad but he's a total bombscare. They targeted him in the second half and he offers nothing of note offensively while also being a hair away from dropping a clanger at the back.

Honestly, I thought Miggy was far more impactful than him tonight. I think he was much better suited to being the big fish that we ran everything through. He won't last long under Howe, which is sad because he's exciting, but he's not practical.

Interesting. As others have said him and Bruno are the midfielders with an eye for a pass, but I think Bruno is more short smart passes and Shelvey is those range finders. Having that combination is ideal on nights like this to test the defence.

The good will generated during that nine game run feels like it just evaporated in 90 minutes. I think I can ascribe some of tonight to playing three games in a week and being exhausted. We certainly looked a step slower in some phases of the game. That said, when they go down to 10 men, we just didn't exert any control on things and just allowed ourselves to be a patsy in proceedings. It was painfully obvious our solution to a low block is to give it to Saint-Maximin. This is an issue that Howe will need to fix because we're going to face more teams like that as our ambitions rise. I also felt like the goal was a harsh reminder of what this squad is - a mediocre bunch with dashes of quality. Some players like Krafth and Murphy are already on the bus out of town, but outside of those signed in January I'm genuinely questioning everyone (Wood is gone imo). Saint-Maximin was again mediocre and running without any purpose. Joe Willock looked like he was on horse tranquilizers for large parts of the game. It's all well and good talking about being part of the 'process' and the 'journey' but I've got no time for fucking sentiment anymore.

For all the shit he gets he still created our best chance of the night. If we're adamant about having inverted wingers he can't be one of them.

He was only ever a six month signing. Seems a nice lad and runs about a lot, but the difference Wilson will make is sizable.

Outrageous. So many of these we need shipping out in the summer.

Be quite happy for these to go down after this haha. A load of shithouses in their team/

It absolutely does. I appreciate you have a strong opinion on him, but as someone that watched every game he played in MLS, it could have worked for him here, as we saw in those six months under Rafa.

Strong side that and with Saint-Maximin on the bench. I hope they can produce another good showing.

I think he's a touch checked out mentally. He hasn't been embraced into the starting XI like many others with even Jacob Murphy starting over him. It's sad but in reality we've played a role in messing his career up due to Bruce. Players coming from MLS are always judged more severely and are seen as some yard stick for the league in its entirety which means the need for a smooth transition is huge.

Everytime I start to believe in Southgate he ends up doing something dumb that paints him as part of the problem.

This. We're in love with someone that was a touch of class amid a field of dross. He was the embodiment of what we could have been under Rafa Benitez had Ashley not stifled us.

I believe they nixed the siren of late due to the war and having a Ukrainian player.

As long as he lands somewhere good I'll be happy for him. When the shit hit the fan under Bruce he never stopped working hard and trying.

He's had an odd few years. Rafa saw quality in him as a shielding DM that could read the game in front of him and make smart passes quickly and effectively. I liked him in that role too, but I think he often was a bit deeper. As a box to box midfielder I'm not convinced he has the engine to get around the pitch and be consistent on the ball. I like him though.

Howe's said pretty much what I expect him to and what I'd say if you stopped me on the street.

Shame about the midfield pair. I wonder if Saint-Maximin is looking a touch closer to starting.

He basically joined and left us for the same reason. Dortmund weren't playing him and he clearly knew he needed games.

The irony is he's playing a style not terribly to dissimilar to what he inherited here. A back three that sprang on teams quickly and tried to get it wide often. Perhaps if he hadn't tried to throw his predecessor under the bus and just ploughed ahead with a back three he'd been fine.

He's shifted to a back three of late which appears to be paying dividends. I will say, even on days like these where they have the momentum it's not fun to watch. They really do move at a slow speed.

Nah grabs his arm. Embellished to draw attention.

They also cover Tuchel a lot more, and have relationships with these guys. When we talk about media bias it usually pertains to favouritisim over 'I hate club x'.