Mid Season reflection - Where do we go from here?

[TheBrownBottle]

8 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

Not especially but I'm not picturing months of misery.

 

I can definitely envisage a drab exit from the Champions League, with us all concluding that it's an essential competition to qualify for but an uninspiring one to actually compete in.

 

FA Cup, can't see it. If we even get past Bournemouth (which I wouldn't bet on) it's hard to imagine us having a good run given our inability to juggle tournaments. 

 

I do think the league is very difficult to predict; a lot will hinge on Wissa. If he finds his feet quickly it could re-shape our whole attack and that could be a catalyst for us finding some form. If he doesn't, we'll keep going in fits and starts and probably finish outside the European places.

 

Opportunity knocks once again in the League Cup, as it has every year under Howe. Get through Wednesday unscathed and I can see us going the distance again.

It sounds terrible I know, but I’ve been disinterested in the CL this season.  The new format is dull.

[The Prophet]

It's very much felt like a transitional season to date. Despite that we're still only a good run away from being in a good position.

[Mr Misery]

Where do we go? I've gone from the wine to the whisky.

 

[Andy]

As shite as we've been at times, we're still in touch with most of the pack. Wouldn't be too unhappy at Europa or even Conference qualification. As others have said, Champions League just really isn't all that fun to be a part of. 

[JT24]

Can I use this place to also complain about the off-the-field stuff? Time for Hopkinson/PIF to get serious about, but not limited to, a list of: amateur website and OSCs, new partnerships, infrastructure plans, deciding how you want to become a “global brand” with a manager who doesn’t want content filmed, comms about new/updated crest,  etc…

[La Parka]

[PCW1983]

My prediction is we will beat Fulham and exit the cup at Semi’s, go out of the Champions League against the play off opponent and ultimately finish 7th in the league…that will lead to Tonali and Tino having their head turned and a disruptive summer again but what I’m hoping is that we expand our recruitment to wider shores for talent for next year. 
 

No idea what will happen from a management view if I’m accurate, consistently playing in Europe is the minimum acceptable for me and despite the remarkable achievements, if we aren’t in Europe next year then Eddie should be terminated at that point….who comes in is a much harder question to answer. 

[bobbydazzla]

1 minute ago, La Parka said:

[Yorkie]

2 minutes ago, JT24 said:

Can I use this place to also complain about the off-the-field stuff? Time for Hopkinson/PIF to get serious about, but not limited to, a list of: amateur website and OSCs, new partnerships, infrastructure plans, deciding how you want to become a “global brand” with a manager who doesn’t want content filmed, comms about new/updated crest,  etc…

 

 really?

[Shearergol]

8 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

It's very much felt like a transitional season to date. Despite that we're still only a good run away from being in a good position.

We’re performing terribly though. That’s the biggest concern 

[bobbydazzla]

1 minute ago, PCW1983 said:

My prediction is we will beat Fulham and exit the cup at Semi’s, go out of the Champions League against the play off opponent and ultimately finish 7th in the league…that will lead to Tonali and Tino having their head turned and a disruptive summer again but what I’m hoping is that we expand our recruitment to wider shores for talent for next year. 
 

No idea what will happen from a management view if I’m accurate, consistently playing in Europe is the minimum acceptable for me and despite the remarkable achievements, if we aren’t in Europe next year then Eddie should be terminated at that point….who comes in is a much harder question to answer. 

Hasta la vista, baby 

 

[Optimistic Nut]

Just now, PCW1983 said:

My prediction is we will beat Fulham and exit the cup at Semi’s, go out of the Champions League against the play off opponent and ultimately finish 7th in the league…that will lead to Tonali and Tino having their head turned and a disruptive summer again but what I’m hoping is that we expand our recruitment to wider shores for talent for next year. 
 

No idea what will happen from a management view if I’m accurate, consistently playing in Europe is the minimum acceptable for me and despite the remarkable achievements, if we aren’t in Europe next year then Eddie should be terminated at that point….who comes in is a much harder question to answer. 

 

Absolutely love Tino & Tonali but don't think either sale will hurt us the same way as Isak has. The drop off has been huge. Not Woltemade's fault but we've went from having one of the best strikers in the world 23/5, to a player with potential who we've had to change our way of playing for. 

 

I think if we got around £150m combined for those two, added to our normal spend, we could get top quality in GK, CB (if Botman isn't the man), new CM & RB. 

[JT24]

2 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

 

 really?

Bring back Toon in Training and the Sunderland (A) result is forgiven. 

[The Prophet]

1 minute ago, Shearergol said:

We’re performing terribly though. That’s the biggest concern 

 

I'd say we're more erratic than consistently terrible. Up until today, performances have been pretty good since the international break.

[RUHRLYASLEEVESUP]

We are 

wallowing in a sea of shite

[Mr Misery]

Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

[et tu brute]

Total opposite of the Howe out/in poll. Just a bit condescending there 

[Shearergol]

4 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

 

I'd say we're more erratic than consistently terrible. Up until today, performances have been pretty good since the international break.

I disagree. I think we’ve got results whilst playing badly. I can only think of one game I’ve enjoyed watching us play 

[Optimistic Nut]

I do think he needs to be in a Cup Semi-Final, plus get 7 points out of Chelsea, Man Utd & Burnley before the New Year to wipe out today's shit. 

[RUHRLYASLEEVESUP]

We are fucking shite 

[duo]

We need to spend in Jan to get a striker.

[JoeyBartoon]

14 minutes ago, PCW1983 said:

My prediction is we will beat Fulham and exit the cup at Semi’s, go out of the Champions League against the play off opponent and ultimately finish 7th in the league…that will lead to Tonali and Tino having their head turned and a disruptive summer again but what I’m hoping is that we expand our recruitment to wider shores for talent for next year. 
 

No idea what will happen from a management view if I’m accurate, consistently playing in Europe is the minimum acceptable for me and despite the remarkable achievements, if we aren’t in Europe next year then Eddie should be terminated at that point….who comes in is a much harder question to answer. 

 

Personally, I don’t see it as their heads being turned. Players like Tino and Tonali should be looking to move on if we can’t offer Champions League football — they’re too good not to be playing at the highest level in Europe.

 

I don’t buy this “transitional season” stuff either. It seems to be getting thrown around more often these days. For me, it’s just another buzzword fans of every club use when their team is playing badly. We’ve been shite, end of.

[Weezertron]

I wish we could wipe Howe's opinion on individual players, and attack the second half of the season on merit alone. 

 

 

 

 

[The Prophet]

9 minutes ago, Shearergol said:

I disagree. I think we’ve got results whilst playing badly. I can only think of one game I’ve enjoyed watching us play 

 

I'd say we played pretty well v City, Everton and Spurs and while the Burnley game wasn't particularly enjoyable, we ran out worthy winners.

[Mr Misery]

29 minutes ago, Mr Misery said:

Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

Making an enemy of our own future.