Optimistic Nut

The loss coming to an injury-time Liverpool goal as well.

Difference between playing for position from kick-off down by there corner flag, and the ball going out over Hall or Livramento's head in the full-back positions?

Hardly conducive to becoming better in possession though. Other than the save in the first 10 seconds v Wolves, I can't remember a save where I've thought he's saved a certain goal.

Salvaged it today with captain Haaland and Eze & Reijnders assists taking me to 50.

So good when he's running back towards goal where it looks like back to Pope is the best option, where he drops a shoulder and heads it away from the forward and brings us forward.

First time I can remember genuine rotation in the league since we beat Sheffield United 8-0.

Sanchez and Palmer fucking this right up for me. -1 combined from the two.

Or only 3 points above the drop zone if they lose.

They've won 3 out of 3 and narrowly lost at Liverpool.

I put this in match thread but probably fits here better. I miss the days of Robert & Solano. The way they hit them, 6/10 wouldn't beat the first man, but the ones they nailed would have the perfect pace, bend and dip somewhere between the 6-yard box and penalty spot that keepers and defences couldn't handle so it was worth it. Someone like Burn on paper should be good for 6 goals a season if you give him something to attack. Seems an absolute waste seeing him occupying the keeper like last night, or when we float stuff where he seems weak. Whip it with pace to him around the penalty spot and not a lot you can do to stop him, at the least he'd draw a few penalties.

Don't think we'll see them start until Bradford, with Krafth the other one.

I miss the days of Robert & Solano. The way they hit them, 6/10 wouldn't beat the first man, but the ones they nailed would have the perfect pace, bend and dip somewhere between the 6-yard box and penalty spot that keepers and defences couldn't handle so it was worth it.

Such an important man in our history. The first time promotion, comfy mid-table finishes and the way he hooked a lot of fans back in, made us the sort of club PIF would find attractive to buy and showcased a bit of the potential this club could become. I don't think they touch a Pardew, McClaren, Bruce (if no Rafa before him) NUFC which was empty.

I wish he'd trusted his left-foot when he managed to cut inside into a scoring opportunity as well mind.

I think we have 10 points in the league and 3 in the Champions League with Wissa playing like. Not saying he's world class or anything, but an above average PL level striker adds so much to us at the minute.

Agreed. Other than one moment where he gambled on nicking the ball and Rashford having a free run from half way, I thought he was good. I don't think I could fault anyone tbh. Few moments where we lacked a bit of quality (two chances first-half for Gordon and Barnes) and Burn poor clearance, thought we did well.

Any many CMs prolific these days? I think hoping for 5-7 league goals from each of the CMs is a fair target, given the wingers should be getting about 10 each. Merino probably skews the numbers last season by playing up front a bit, but can't think of many Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal midfielders with many more than 7-8?

This is why I prefer the PL atmospheres in general over the Bundesliga for instance. We respond more to the game, even when there's quiet lulls in the stands. The German crowds just seem to be a constant background drone throughout. Ours seems more organic.

It's not just a "couple of goals" though, is it now. He's been a consistent source of goals in the PL for about 5-6 years. Lazy post.

This is where just looking at raw stats can be misleading. For an hour, Elanga was excellent and put in some brilliant balls, but on paper has nothing to show for it. Murphy came on, was fairly average, but one of his balls resulted in an assist for him. I think overall, we're going to eventually get more with Elanga who is just the superior footballer. Murphy could become a handy "finisher" type player getting 15-30 minutes a game, though.

And he won't again if he doesn't get back in the team.

Was just thinking, could you even go Elanga left and Murphy right for a bit until those two pick up?

I know we've kept a few clean sheets, I know Burn & Schar have done wonders for us for the last 3.5 years, I do think it's time to start moving towards a Botman & Thiaw partnership (and Ramsdale in goal) over the next few months, especially against the elite sides if we're going to progress.

Disappointed but thought we did okay..if we'd scored when we were on top first 20 minutes I think we win it by a couple.

That's an awful clearance.