Sir Joel Inton

Do we think we’d have the same struggles with a Europa or Conference League campaign and Howe? If so, as he needs time in the training ground, how could we ever fully progress if we can only be in Europe biannually?

I have more confidence in Pope but maybe that’s muscle memory from previous seasons. We basically replaced Dubravka with another version of him. Decent with his feet, terrified of leaving his line and questionable saves at times. This is where I wonder where our scouting is at. How can we not have a young goalkeeper on our radar that could’ve been a number 2 this season but capable to deputise for Pope? It’s not a major ask.

@Vinny Green Balls The goalposts. I’ve asked for an example of a poster who does this. You’re finding one off posts from different posters on singular topics. We do not have relentlessly negative posters. We have:

@Vinny Green Balls I’m not sure what point you’re proving other than my own that people may make individual one off comments, but are not relentlessly negative about every player and staff member in every thread as has been described.

Also lovejoy in Ramsey’s thread: ”We have a player here” So, he’s not relentlessly negative then, is he?

I see lots of discussion about whether he’s good enough for the price we paid, whether his work ethic is adequate at the moment, whether he is fully fit, etc. not sure I see any posters making relentlessly negative posts that every player and Howe is shit as the original poster suggested.

Again, care to share any examples of this?

Have you got a poster to evidence who has made these comments without additional context, explanation, viewpoint or suggestion? I’ve seen people say x player is no good, but in other threads making reasonable critiques or suggestions on alternatives. Can’t say I’ve seen any poster just posting comments like that.

There is always a flip side, where those deemed “negative” actually just want the club and team to be as successful as it possibly can be and are airing their frustration at gaping holes. Striving for improvement, growth and success is not negative. That frustration can of course become emotive and some reactions or particular words may reflect that. Some said in the heat of the moment, others because that person might be having a generally shitty time or day outside of football. None of that makes anyone less of a supporter than anyone else. May as well get back into the “support the team, not the regime” bollocks of who is the best fan, those sat in the stands clapping the players off after a 5-0 defeat at home or those at home refusing to attend. Why not just accept you have differences in opinions and keep the personal insults and dick measuring contests out of it?

Possibly. It was there when we were winning too. 2 years ago you’d never see someone flailing their arms at a misplaced pass but I’ve seen it a lot this season.

We’d have lost 5 or 6 nil tonight if that was the case. I do wonder whether the group are as tight as they were before though. You see lots more frustration on the pitch than ever before at the moment.

The one positive to come out of tonight, pleased for him. Wissa goal next would be nice.

Sorry chap, you’re clearly not posting on here either. Take the moral high ground on that point

If I ask anything from tonight, use the second half as an opportunity to try something completely new that we could implement in the coming weeks against tough opposition. Whatever other plans we have in the background, roll it out and lets start trying to get used to it in a competitive fixture against a good team.

Thought you might say that. Here’s Leverkusen’s absentee list that night:

Play Trippier deeper? So he’s not running up and down the wing with 21 pace at pensionable age? Play Thiaw there? Play 4 at the back? 5 has worked once, at PSG. Literally anything but what he chose to do.

Just want to see some evidence he is learning from mistakes. Turning up at Man City playing like this after doing it before and getting walloped is not it. I hope this will be a turning point but I’ve said that multiple times this season.

Said in the match thread but how he could have watched the game on Saturday and decided to play Trippier in the same position is baffling. Never mind the decision to bring Ramsdale in from nowhere. Both at fault for the first 2 goals, killed the tie and fucked it.

Decisions to start Ramsdale and play Trippier in that awful position after watching him on Saturday were baffling and looks like we’re getting exactly what we deserve as a result.

Yeah, this might be the first game I switch off in a long time. Fuck me.

We’ll definitely score. Hopefully it is the next one rather than some late consolation goal to at least give us a sniff.

If we put a decent bid in when Burnley were relegated, rather than trying to get a discount, who knows if Man City would’ve wanted him at that point. It’s not a cert they would have.

That Trafford lad looks half decent. Shall we fuck about for 2 years to try and sign him then be surprised when someone else comes in?

Not play him as high? As I type this he was level with Gordon and Woltemade.