Dr Gloom

ah, I didn’t realise that was an option. i predicted every remaining result like a sad twat

I was talking specifically about APT, which was introduced just after the takeover in 2021

the rules are designed to slow Man City and stop NUFC. No coincidence that they were brought in right after our takeover. PIF have way more cash to extract from APT than even the Qataris. The rest of the clubs voted to stop the PL becoming a two borse race but in reality they have protected the status quo of cartel clubs and prevented them from attracting takeovers by similarly wealthy owners. On the flip side it has made for a more competitive league this year. Even the “big six” have had to curtail spending to an extent, other than Chelsea who continue to brazenly flout the rules

You only have forest getting 5 points from their final 8 games? That’s a canny drop off considering they have one of the easier run ins

bit annoying that he's turned into prime shearer since going to forest too

it's impressive that longstaff managed to start so many games since the takeover. the players he's competing for starts with all have a higher technical ceiling, so credit to him for forcing his way into the side and staying there on merit for several seasons. deep down he must have known this day was probably coming.

I think I had us winning most games but losing to arsenal and Villa and drawing with palace. We’re bound to drop a few points. I hoped 5-6 wins would be enough but we might need another run like we had in December/Jan because of how congested it is

100%. this is where howe really excels as a coach. taking players who were previously written off and improving them - reinventing them in joelinton's case.

it's an extraordinary hit rate. the only ones to underwhelm so far are targett and wood. arguably barnes too, but there's still hope he might be able to do something with with us. he's been good the past couple of games.

i went quite negative with our games to see if we'd still finish top five and we didn't.

i was in the gallowgate and my eyes are failing too but there was definitely a collective moment of disbelief after it went in before the noise. agreed with your post. Brentford are a tough side. Could have gone either way but I think we just about edged it and deserved the three points. We were far the better side in the first half. brilliant atmosphere btw- not just in the gallowgate and the corner. The whole ground was rocking at times.

See you down the wonder bar 🙌

Brentford and Palace are very good sides. Neither of those will be easy. But we should win both if we turn up with the right attitude and we’re not fucked over by a ref. My main concern is Joelinton getting another ban. He’s only one yellow away from another suspension.

it’s a 10/10 season whatever happens next. The target for the season must have been qualify for Europe and win a cup and they have hit both objectives. I honestly never thought I’d live to see the latter during the Ashley years. Anything from here is a bonus but it was great to hear the likes of Trippier and Bruno talking about wanting to finish top four now. They have a single focus now with no distractions. I think they’ll do it. They showed in the games against Liverpool and arsenal - and on the nine game winning run - that they’re good enough to do it.

another good one - you really see how much the players are loving it on the bus behind the scenes with keith downie

just got to finish above them in the league, and hopefully push them out of the CL places in the process.

yeah, the system isn’t fit for purpose. And the £110m loss figure - or what ever it is - hasn’t been adjusted for inflation for years either. It’s a completely arbitrary line in the sand designed to protect the cartel. On the plus side it has backfired to an extent by constraining spending at all clubs - other than Chelsea, who continue to brazenly flout the rules with their circular finance - which means that hopefully no cunt can afford Isak. Its also put more of a focus on good coaching and recruitment and made for a more interesting league this season. So ffp rules in theory aren’t bad, but the way they’re implemented is bullshit

still suspended, isn’t he?

It’s a bag of shite if that is the case: best finish in generations and forced to sell. Bit like Villa with Douglas Luiz, I suppose

i think forest will get it fwiw. their run in isn't too bad either. but i'd love it if it was us, them and bourmouth making up the top five. it would irritate all the "big six" wankers no end

we've just got to take care of our own business and we'll be sweet. 20 from 30 points available, or thereabouts, should do it. april is the big month as we have three home games and some winnable fixtures. in may we have brighton away, chelsea at home and arsenal away so will be tough if it goes to the wire

good lads arsenal, keeping fulham at bay if it stays like this

He’s had a brilliant season so they’d want double that now. Better value to be found elsewhere. I like the sound of Kuhn for RW, the lad from Celtic we’ve been linked with who we won’t have to break the bank for. But it could be that Mitchell has got a bunch of targets lined up that none of us have heard of. I expect this summer window to be very different - no multiple bids playing in public for established PL players with big price tags.

Why would they leave if they finish in the champions league spots though? It’s a bit like us with Isak. They won’t have to get rid of any of them unless the players agitate for a move and they can demand stupid money in that case.