MagSA

Where the hell is Suds with his databases and algorithms in all of this?

It's a tricky one, we need to rest some players and give Elanga game time in an environment that can contribute to him getting some confidence back. Don't think Howe goes with both options so it might be full strength everywhere with Elanga RW, Or Gordon and Barnes on the wing and one of the defenders gets a rest

Can I conclude that means you won't be posting in this thread any longer?

And if we lose to PSV playing our first teamers, thereby needing a result against PSG, we would be aiming to get that result with our regular CBs having played each game for a significant period of time making it less likely they perform in a must win game to qualify outright. If you cant rest one of your only two fit senior CBs against the worst team in the league considering a really tough set of upcoming fixtures then perhaps we need to seriously have a look at ourselves and what's coming through our youth setup

yeah, first time I heard it on TV, when he passed back to Tonali, with the crowd expecting him to take his man on. Ironically as some have mentioned, he may find it easier away from home on Sunday.

But who are they going to rested for? Are you suggesting Alex Murphy, CL debut, PSG away?

This might be the last opportunity to give Thiaw/Botman a rest before a crazy run of fixtures. Likely Thiaw needs the rest more. What are the chances of Alex Murphy starting as LCB? We surely cannot expect Thiaw and Botman to play twice a week for the next month? and we dont seem to be bringing anyone in before the grim run of fixtures ends.

They bottom of the table with 7 points and 1 win with more than half the season gone. On paper the last 'easy' game before a vicious run of fixtures. Don't care about their recent 'form', we need to focus on doing our job and if we do that we leave with 3 points.

Lad just needs an assist or a goal to really settle him in. After recent performances, I am significantly less worried when seeing him in the starting lineup.

Immense again today. What a player we have. MoM by a distance, just makes the LB job seem effortless which is usually a sign of a high quality player. Deserving of a new contract to be honest

Looked like his old self at times. Read the game well and managed Haaland (who was quite anonymous but nevertheless) Hall pips him for my MoM

If I recall they were not at the top of our list of targets. We settled/panicked. Really bad day at the office for our strikers

I am out of ideas. Not sure what needs to happen with this guy anymore.

Was good yesterday and generally seeing an incremental improvement in performances wouldn't be surprised if he causes City all manner of problems on Tuesday. Strangely most players yesterday had moments of brilliance interspersed with moments of utter madness. The number of failed passes across the defence was crazy.

Usually have lots of time for him, but we needed a performance from him that allows Howe to trust him that we can rest our other midfielders without a significant drop in quality and performance considering the number of games coming. Sadly we had to call on our purples, putting unnecessary minutes in their legs because we can't rely on the squad players. Times up unfortunately.

Like a Temu John McGinn. I would throw that non descript RB of theirs in there as well

on TV where I am, reflected in the Supersport channels above. NonTV in the UK is quite a silly outdated condition to be honest

I would elevate them both to close to our top level earners and on long term deals.....not that long term deals by themselves carry the weight you expect them to when title challengers come sniffing but it makes it more difficult to exit. At the same time we need to show we are making significant strides towards being consistently in the CL as a start. Increase revenues and investments in infrastructure, academy and playing squad. Something that should be keeping our CEO up at night. Really dont care about the lip service towards 2030 or beyond. I would like to know what your deliverables are within 6months, 1 yr, 2 yrs so we see incremental progression instead of pie in the sky talk of league titles and best in the world at a future date when he is most likely not going to be around to account for why it didn't happen. Still not sure how I started with Tino and Hall and ended up with the CEO

100m, effectively getting a RB and LB in one player. RB - 60m LB - 40m

Cheeky punt on Evan Ferguson. seems to have found an uptick in form and not many players score 3 goals without playing

We have a unique player with a skill set that cannot be coached The improvements he needs to make can be coached as well as the relationships between the players around him. There are tweaks that need to be made and I am comfortable Howe and the coaches will figure it out and he will be here for a long time, providing loads of magical moments.

I am sure there will be quite a bit of rotation. Interesting observation though, some players and I think Bruno and perhaps BigJoe fall into this category, are not at the levels in the game following them being rested. They need to play consistently, but I get your point.

If I remove emotions Wharton > Anderson likely cost the same?

Would keep Thiaw, Wally and Tonali in the side. All need some confidence for different reasons. Trippier as captain and Alex Murphy at LB..Tino on the bench if needed. Midfield of Tonali, Willock and Ramsey If Murphy is fit he should play RW, Wally CF and Barnes on the LW

Came up during the pre Leeds PC, I got the sense from Howe that they not in a rush to enter discussions and that performances and time would dictate things. I was left with the impression that Schar, at the least, would be contracted again.