TheBrownBottle

Neither Wilson nor Isak look fit to me. I like having two different types of centre forwards as options - especially when they’re both quality. The injury proneness is an issue, though.

I can also see how he took Bournemouth from ten points adrift at the foot of the entire Football League to being a PL club (albeit with a gap in the middle).

I don’t think there’s much controversial about the call. He’s not exactly miles off but a playable part of his body is ahead of play.

We were always likely to be the weaker member of the CL group - I agree with your views of PSG & Milan away (I thought we absolutely dominated PSG at home, it wasn’t a fluke scoreline). I agree with the first half of your first paragraph, though not the second, as I think that would need time to see if he evolves. I still think he can (and will), and that this is a transitional period we’re still in. I’m more than happy to give Howe plenty of time to develop the squad and playing style - though I agree that high-press, high-intensity play has a ceiling (and we’re seeing it).

No-one is protesting at the boxing. Or anywhere else for that matter - it’s in Riyadh. Protest usually is followed by a kangaroo court sentencing you to decades of torture or execution.

He’s a perceptive man, young grasshopper

Staveley understands that reference

Shoulder was ahead of the last defender, you could see that one still image and once the line was drawn it was even clearer. He’s definitely ahead of play.

We’re playing a plan B away from home at the moment; but it isn’t working. I suspect Howe will be whiteboarding away in the background - it won’t have gone unnoticed

I completely agree, but I still think it summed up our afternoon

I had 7th in my predictions (or was it 8th? Will have to check). Still think that sounds about right. Never thought we’d finish top four this season - squad isn’t there yet.

I still think they’re all solid squad players for a good side tbh. The problem for me is that they’re not first team players in a top side going forwards (I think Wilson is that quality mind, he’s just injury-prone). Its the likes of Ritchie and Dummett who need recycling out first - with Almiron and Burn being squad options (unless big fees come in).

Didn’t think he was any worse than anyone else today tbh. Yes, he’s an obvious candidate for an upgrade, and his decision-making can be really poor at times - but I’ll echo others in saying that unless we can get a good fee for him, he’d be a good impact sub.

Which guys are you disappointed in? Serious question.

Thought he finished his offside goal with aplomb in all honesty. He’s clearly miles away from full fitness

No idea tbh. It’s even more weird if they’re whining about corporate - that’s not in line with the ‘that’s wor home end’ patter

Definitely. It’s the last sentence which is the area we need to fix - I don’t think a high intensity press can be used if you’re ultimately wanting to play 50+ game seasons like we will be wanting to - so we will need to change it up. Buying better players will of course help with that. All just my own view of course - I’m under no doubt Howe will know better

Looked off when I saw it - though I’m aware that one of the posters on here mentioned that the defender potentially plays the ball. When the initial ball is played it isn’t contestable that Isak is off - his shoulder is comfortably forward of the last defender.

We wouldn’t go on like this about the Leazes or the Gallowgate - both of which have been used for away fans during my time. They go on like this about the ‘North Stand’? Absolutely lost on me. Last time I was at the SOS, it looked pretty symmetrical to me - if it wasn’t the North, it would be the South - what difference would it make? I’m assuming it’s for policing reasons that the North has been chosen. Either way, what an absolute pack of fannies they are

I do think that there is an issue away from home beyond that - we’re set up to be passive and in what is a 4-5-1. Fatigue and injuries play their part, though there is a tactical issue too. We suffer inertia away - which means we look toothless against shit teams, and are completely dominated by good ones. Getting a full and fit squad back will help, of course, but I don’t think it’s as simple as confidence and fitness

His points per game is better than Howe’s, but Emery’s starting point was far superior. I think they’re both excellent managers tbh

First time I’ve ever been called sensible

Agreed - he’s a ‘thinking’ manager. I’ve no doubt that the lessons he’s learned will reap rewards in the future - he’ll have learned loads this season.

It’s not as a daft a shout as you might think Howe is obsessive and has said himself he studies the opposition before games etc. We’ve been playing two games a week for quite a while - it has to drain his batteries, too.

It’s daft, no doubt about it. But it’s also an emotional reaction after a piss poor performance. I don’t read too much into it - I doubt the same folks will write the same thing even a few hours later. I’m happy for football fans to have their cathartic rant tbh.