TheBrownBottle

This is all that's happened since the late '80s (and we've been more than party to it on a few occasions). It is what created the PL breakaway, the failure to reduce the top division to 18 clubs as planned, the change from the European Cup to the 'Champions League', from there to 2nd / 3rd / 4th places qualifying, to payments based upon club co-efficients, to 'FFP / FMV' etc. The game has been slowly rigged for years (and again, NUFC were a player in the original breakaway plans in '88; John Hall was one of the biggest gobshites for a 'European Super League' in the mid-90s, etc)

I can’t see what the criticism would be of Howe based on tonight. He played his strongest team, adapted tactics to suit both opposition and the hand he has to play, made aggressive subs, and I thought we did ok all things considered. The last four months haven’t exactly been great, but the manager can’t be criticised for the Man City game

Even the best centre forwards have off days - Isak had vs Man City; that’s all it was. Service wasn’t the issue

We could also be two defeats from 13th, which on current form is as plausible as two wins from 7th (not referring to the Man City game) Plenty to play for still and we should aim as high as possible, but I wouldn’t be confident of winning lots of games at the moment.

Yep, no shiny pots again this year but plenty to play for yet

Thought Howe called it pretty much right today - we were just outclassed against probably the world’s best side

Another season’s daydream ends Didn’t think we were all that bad - though Man City definitely took their foot off the pedal second half We’re giving the cups a go, and that is a positive for me regardless. Nothing pisses me off more than NUFC playing reserves in these competitions

Only need one if you’re Maradona like

Yep, when he bulks out a bit in the next few years he could be a hell of a player

Commentator even pronounces ‘Bobb’ like Rowan Atkinson

The commentary on the UK commentary has been the best part of this game It’s like being in a comedy club, but you can only hear the hecklers

Yep, love a bit of defiance

I hate tiki-taka mind. Fucking hate it. Defensive football in the opponent’s half. Hated it when Barcelona played it. Boring as fuck

Hall playing well here. Which just adds to the confusion re why he hasn’t had minutes tbh

Love Isak, but he’s had a bit of an off-day so far

Percolator must be knackered; here’s Hall

Write it in green ink for the full impact

‘Lewis’ ’Yes gaffer?’ ’Stick the percolator on son, full time soon’

FUCKING BURN MAN

‘It’s not away convincingly’ says the commentator Couldn’t quite see who it was at the far post, but knew it was Botman once he said that …

It always has been - Howe managed to cover for that by getting the fitness levels up to allow us to gegenpress. Some of these lads have reverted to the mean

Save Dubravka

‘Get a quick goal and we’re in it’ says my overactive imagination Stop giving me hope, my imagination, you cunt

I just don’t think that writing positive things on the internet = support. It’s a completely passive experience with zero effort required. I’m sat on my arse watching this on TV.

He just looks a million miles away from pre-injury Botman at the minute