The Fish

Yeah, we've already seen how an injury to 1 player can really throw us off our game. We need depth in multiple positions, we need the kind of depth that allows us to make tactical tweaks in game to capitalise on whatever weaknesses the opposition has. Right now, if we make subs they're usually like-for-like, or what's available, rather than anything else.

Mostly because I think Wilson can handle the pressure of that game more than Isak can. I think it's a rare occasion where you go with the most settled side, rather than the one with the most ability. Is Ashby, that young rightback from West Ham available?

We've won 2 of the last 6, won 4 of the last 8 games. After the League Cup Final, we've got Man City away, which will be rough, but then Wolves and Forrest which should be winnable games. We'll have Pope and Bruno back in the team. Liverpool were second best against 10 men for 70 minutes. I could easily see them dropping points, especially with their commitments in the CL.

Karius Trippier Schar Botman Burn Longstaff Bruno Joelinton Almiron ASM Wilson Willock and Isak to be introduced around the hour mark. Man Utd will want to double up on Bruno and ASM so that should leave gaps to exploit. I expect Man Utd to come onto us more so there should be space behind for Almiron and ASM. Rashford is in amazing form. Hoping for a few reducers from Barcelona on their visit to Old Trafford.

Under Ashley I would have been apoplectic because I'd have no faith in NUFC sorting it out in the Summer window. Now I kind of expect another few signings as successful as Botman, Bruno, Burn Pope, Trippier. All of the shirt deals, commercial partnerships, that will come after the season ends will juice our capacity for expenditure I don't doubt we'll be able to build on this season's platform.

This is it, far too many dickheads to get through a full minutes silence without it being ruined.

There could well have been something in the loan deal that stated they had to buy him if he made 3 appearances. Precisely the same as Chris Wood? Don't think anyone expected him to only make 2 appearances for them in all comps.

I also think the slight disruptions due to injuries have unsettled the side as well. Isak coming back into a team without Bruno has meant he hasn't had the chances that he would have and thus hasn't settled well. Willock being injured, Wilson being injured, these all slightly impact the course of games and the course of preparation for games. I think Gordon's transfer is more like the Wood transfer than what the team 'needed' then and there. It harmed a side, he's a good player and was available at the time for a price we were willing to pay. If I were in charge of transfers I would probably have found a replacement for Shelvey; a younger deep lying playmaker. But I would certainly have ended up paying over the odds for him and wouldn't have got the first choice target in that position. Both of those factors could have longer term impact on the progress of a team. Everything this season has to come with the caveat that we're currently way ahead of schedule, CL challenging, League Cup finalists, in the first full season after the takeover? An objective, business head would have the next 3 years in mind, the next 5, or 10. We, as fans want it all, now.

Even if Wykiki hadn't jumped on the hand grenade I would have said no. I'll flood it with numbers, but I won't start it.

Rashford is a good striker, but this is definitely a purple patch, rather than his norm. Ward was at fault for both his goals, if you ask me.

Cup Final 100%. Losing one game against the Scousers wouldn't mean we definitely missed out on top 4, and even if it did... it's a fucking Cup!

bet you weren't expecting that.

Think we'll get a result against Liverpool. Everton didn't pose much of a problem for them, but that's more to do with Everton, than Liverpool. They still give up a lot of chances, and concede quite a lot from those chances. They create a lot of chances, but underperform in terms of putting away those chances. We don't give up many chances and concede fewer than you'd expect.

Yeah, they're not reliable, at all.

I think we got a sizeable loan fee too, so it might be closer to £5m. Wood for c£15m, Shelvey sold for £10m, and there's talk that Forrest want Lascelles too. If we can get the thick end of £40m for those three from one club, we've done very, very well.

I will not.

Oh, Toonpack, you do make me laugh at you.

This is the GEET BIG AS OWT 7 before last nights game

I dunno, 'Alex' is pretty spot on.

Have a look through that thread on twitter, it's filled with luddites "why call it a half space? Isn't that just a smaller space?" No, you wilfully ignorant fuck, it's not. Fuck 'em.

Compare and contrast

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Bruce made a mistake and put it upside down.

How about "New-fangled", "Just call it tackling man", "Not like that in my day", "it's just change for changes sake!"?