Gemmill

They will 100% be working on sorting the stadium as a matter of priority. We shouldn't assume that because we aren't getting regular updates that "there has been no movement". We (tbd) are all (is) in a bit of a tizzy about how things are going atm and looking for scapegoats. The simple fact is that the primary reason that we've stalled on the bit we all care about (the first team and transfers) is PSR, so we're looking for other things to point fingers on where there probably isn't anything. I'm not remotely worried that they aren't working on the training ground and the stadium. They've also made massive inroads on commercial income.

It would take someone of Eales's stature to get CT to leave Wonder Bar behind.

Congrats man, that's class. Let us know if work seems any more appealing once you don't have to pay for the roof over your head!

It's dead easy to read into things when stuff isn't going well, so here goes... I definitely get the impression that Gordon is on the outs with the rest of the squad. Let's chuck that one into the blender of discontent and whip us up another conspiracy smoothie.

As chastening as it is to be brought up on a catastrophising charge by you, this has been going on a lot longer than just the first 5 games of this season.

Good point by wykiki actually. Anyone ever seen tbd and true faith's A Hurst in the same room?

We'll know he's not doing a good job when the chairman replaces him. Until then, I would assume he's making progress on all of the key strategic objectives, even if we're not getting public pronouncements about them. As for his personality, he seems an amiable enough dweeb of a bloke. He's pretty inoffensive.

You would expect that from Koi though.

The "Howe fit" thing. They weren't that fit last season either. That must be a conscious decision by Howe and his team. They keep a lot of data on these lads, and I don't know whether at some point they've realised that that style of play (the insane intensity and press) is unsustainable unless you're prepared to supply the entire squad with magic inhalers. We're all clutching at straws here though, cos something is off and we can't see why a squad that was fucking electric 2 seasons ago now looks so pedestrian. There might be something in what PL is saying though - whatever magic dust Howe had two seasons ago doesn't work with this group of players anymore.

That's interesting, thanks. I wonder how they decide who takes on each role.

There isn't that much competition in midfield though is there? Bruno must feel incredibly comfortable in his position, ditto Joelinton. There's basically one other spot that's currently getting rotated but realistically that belongs to Tonali once Howe is happy he's ready. Once that midfield is established, then there's one player (Willock) that realistically threatens the starting spot of those three players.

I think the lack of competition for places in the squad is a problem too. There are a number of people that are basically irreplaceable/undroppable in the current squad. That's not healthy for the team or them, and it's starting to show in their performances.

Haha up yours Arteta.

Nah I'm talking about players that were promised titles within 5 years and have basically seen that ambition meet the brick wall of PSR. Spending £65m in the summer wouldn't have got us any closer to titles.

I do wonder if the players aren't becoming increasingly disillusioned with the trajectory of the club. We've been plateauing for a little while now. I mean, it's PSR, and there's not much can be done about it, but that's not really their problem.

Can't remember exactly cos it was two weeks ago but I posted on here at the time that he was full of praise. It was dead early on in the press conference before last if you want to watch it though. Was basically journalists trying to pull at the Mitchell thread and Howe shut it down with his praise for the bloke.

Howe was pretty gushing in his praise of Bunce at last week's press conference. And this current rot had set in long before Bunce turned up. Your theory doesn't hold water.

I'd leave Gordon out for a couple of games and play Barnes/Miggy or Barnes/Murphy. Give him 20 minutes in each game and see if he's got his head on straight yet. Allows Barnes to play in his preferred position and sends a message to carpet remnant head that he needs to sort his attitude out.

We're top of the league and you think we're in deep discussion about our shortcomings and the chance of the manager losing his job? Get away man.

Honestly they can fuck off even more if they're just missing their cuddles off Amanda baby.

Mind, if we'd won we'd have been top of the league, and none of us would have been talking about our many shortcomings. Fine margins between top of the league and the manager losing his job.

His attitude is fucking stinking at the minute.

I'm not saying I think Howe should go or anything btw. I'm sure he's working as hard as he ever has done, and we know he's an excellent coach. But something isn't working at the minute and it's nothing to do with the transfer window or anything else. The press, the passing patterns, the defensive solidity, all of it has gone.

Well he's the coach of the team that doesn't look well coached.

Doesn't take into account today's game but according to the xP table we're 6 points ahead of where we deserve to be. Should be 6th bottom.