Rayvin

Yeah fair enough. Actually on a separate note, I read something in the Athletic a little while ago which suggested that City were scoring fewer goals as a team now than they were before they had Haaland. I know that's not a perfect science with all the other variables in play, but is that something that any City fans are saying at all, or just media noise?

Aside from this point about the players needing to move on for their own career... is it not also true that, whisper it, we might need them to move on in order to develop within PSR? Developing players, something Howe is very good at, and selling them on in order to restart the cycle, is probably the only way we can realistically move ourselves to the level we need to be at. Which depressingly feels like the Ashley model all over again, but at least with this lot the aim is to improve rather than stand still. I mean I think that's the reality for all clubs bar those at the absolute pinnacle of the game, frankly.

I really enjoyed your game last night for the spectacle - I don't think PSG are suddenly a better team, just once their tails were up they really went for you. But equally I was bemused by the amount of times Ederson was putting you under pressure by misplacing passes or choosing the wrong options. I think you're just having a wobble this season, and I'm sure you'll be back on it once that wobble has been adjusted for. I am a bit uncertain what the Pep free future looks like for you though, when he does move on.

Bravely said and true. In reality we know next to nothing about their circumstances and frankly all the drama really does seem to be about ASM/Gordon. I mean that's a really narrow line of fire for a supposed wum. Still do feel LTA could -also- rise above it though - would be nice if we could get back to just banter style comments even if we do disagree. Once this one is sorted Gemmill, why don't you have a crack at the middle east?

As ever, spot on.

Elon Musk with the Hitler salutes This is going to be a wild 4 years.

This thread is meant to be about what we lack, not proclaiming we were gonna do it this season

Poor really, as good as Bournemouth were. Think 2-1 defeat would have been a more fair reflection but Howe obviously went for it in the end which I guess you'd always want him to do. But we did seem tired honestly. So many loose and wasted balls, so sloppy. Tonali was good but that's about it really. Hopefully that brings us back down to earth a bit and we can just get on with playing again without fussing about records and being the form team etc.

Important one to win but they're a good side so I'm unsure what to expect really. Not watched them much this season tbh. Hopefully we can get another relatively comfortable win but I think it'll be tougher than Man Utd/Spurs.

Sorry to hear this man. Your mam has you at least, but remember to take time for yourself in processing the grief too. Sincere condolences mate.

The great Toontastic Left Centreback debate. On it rages. This is how you know @The Fish has won the battle for your souls btw. We're about 5 minutes from someone suggesting that Botman's ideal playing role is a Left footed Libero and discussing the impact this has on the balance of the rest of the squad

How have Southampton managed to fuck that up so hard ffs. Woeful stuff.

Gloves really coming off now

I enjoy each win in the 30 mins immediately after it and then return to stressing about the next game the joys of an anxious disposition.

Yeah fair I guess. I did love that season.

So I can see that argument if you had to call it at the start of both seasons - but from where we are right now, and the ridiculous run of form he's had to pull together to even get us back into the conversation, I think the margins are just finer this season. Maybe I'm remembering the last time a little too generously but I sort of feel we were in the conversation all season for that one, so the odd game going astray here and there didn't derail us - moreover everyone was still turning up thinking they'd play us off the park. This season feels much more like every win has been hard earned. To me at least. It's probably just bias towards what is immediately in front of me I suppose. I just feel like Howe and the team have had to be even better this year than they were that year.

Imagine Gemmill on the day Everton finally go down

I'm concerned about CL tbh, we're on an amazing run of form and wins but we're still only just 4th. If we can stretch the winning run to another 4 or 5 games then I think we may earn daylight but that's a really tall order (though the games look winnable). I think there'll be some questions asked if we don't get CL this season though, and that is the scenario under which I suppose we can see us losing a few of our top tier players. That in turn would necessitate a rebuild which just delays everything further. I think getting top 4 this season will be Howe's greatest achievement to date tbh in terms of what it will do for the club/how difficult it will be.

Was wondering this actually, who would be the cover for Murphy?

Forgot all that. Lunatic.

How does that PSR spending thing work again, if we sold him for £11m what would that 'become' in terms of immediately accessible funds? A £55m player on a 5 year deal? If we could replace him now and bring in that £55m player, I'd say go for it. Otherwise I think Gemmill is right.

It's probably just Mourinho reminding our board he exists in case they want to trade in an 8 game win streak for chaos, drama and PSR breaches

Aye fair wouldn't wish that on anyone at this point.

I said exactly the same like It's not even that they're that good, it's that teams just keep sleepwalking into the same situation as each other when playing them.

Forest are gonna win the league ffs. Not sure I can live with that like.