The Fish

I appreciate that we don't want to set precedent of massively overspending, but they have to be aware of our particular set of circumstances and accept that we are going to have to pay over the odds because we're; in the relegation zone are a Premier League club are the richest club on the planet.

Alright, sprinkle it on my fucking cappuccino, then.

They can call it whatever they like as long as it means I can get some time alone.

Inject it into my veins.

I think a pragmatic approach is a great platform to build upon for any club that isn't elite, nor the richest club on the planet. But having the Saudi money and relying on pragmatism to elevate us is like driving on Rainbow Road and not immediately jumping off to the left.

Well, we've won once all season and are still within 3pts of safety. We're likely to improve the squad (further) and get our first choice striker back too. I don't think we're going to win once all season. We've looked all right in quite a few games but have been let down by a) poor quality player, b) timidity in the players. This is a squad of lads who've had fuck all coaching for 2 years, fuck all conditioning for 2 years. As long as we can keep in touch, I believe we can survive.

I worked out it was Blyth by the sun's position and the tide, but, sure, use 'triangulation' if you like.

Are those four of the wind turbines on the horizon, or just the shitty camera?

Mrs Fish has just successfully implemented unlimited annual leave at her place, or "Time well taken" as they're calling it. Lucky bassers We get 1 day a month without meetings, or expectations to do any work called "spirit of you" days. Ostensibly they're there for mental well-being, or development, or any training you want to do or whatever. Literally everybody has been using them for boring life-admin shit, or a free day off to tack onto your annual leave holiday.

What Benitez did in that season was provide solid foundations to improve upon. HAd he had the freedom to build the team that he wanted, I'm sure we could have built upon the midtable finishes. You're right, it wasn't always thrilling football, but neither was it under Hughton, for the most part. Difference being, Hughton had a midtable PL side in the Championship, and Benitez had a top of the Championship squad. We still blew some teams away, and played some lovely stuff at times. As an aside, I think there's a misremembering of Benitez' football as some kind of turgid borefest, I don't think that's true. Certainly not in the Championship. It was pragmatic, first and foremost, but if the forwards clicked we weren't a bad side to watch.

The legacy of Bruce's reign lives on.

Even if this Carlos lad two foots his own players in the warm up, he's better than every centre back at the club.

If we stay up (I think we will) the next window could be hilarious as Agents scramble to get us to hire their clients who didn't fancy it this time around.

I did, and you can't shame me for our love.

No way should Benitez come back. His philosophy is diametrically opposed to Howe's. If Howe was a pragmatic, defensive coach, then maybe (maybe). Honestly? if we do go down and the axe drops on Howe's neck, it might be worth re-visiting. But, not now.

Honestly, a CM of Cabaye's ability (say) would mean we were on the ball more, which would mean ASM wouldn't think that any time he does get the ball is the only time he'll get the ball for the next 5 minutes, so hopefully won't run down another blind alley trying to do it all himself.

That's the thing. Lascelles is at fault for their goal, but throughout the game he was often the point at which control of possession ended, or pressure was invited. He's been guilty of the same shit for a while now. Shelvey reverted to type after a brief uptick in performance and spent too much of the game dropping deeper and deeper with aimless long balls. Longstaff was average, but his average is still not very good. ASM is trying to do it all himself when better options are available. Replace Lascelles and Shelvey with Tarkowski and Fofana and we don't lose that game.

It was a disappointing result and performance from some of the players, but I said beforehand that a draw isn't the end of the world. We're still within 1 win of safety and as long as that's the case going into the final day, we'll survive.

Bravado? Haven't heard that name in a years...

No way is James Ward-Prowse leaving Southampton for Newcastle this season, man.

No I didn't, you antipodean boob. I said Howe likes innovative set pieces. And with Trippier's delivery and Wood's aerial ability we can make the most of that innovation. Not simply good taker to good header.

No, I paid attention. And in paying attention it was clear that although the lad mentioned set pieces, he didn't emphasise that Eddie Howe like to be innovative with Set Pieces, which was the FUCKING POINT OF MY POST!

Soemthing that they didn't mention is Howe likes to be innovative with set pieces, so having a) Trippier to put in decent deliveries and b) Wood to get on the end of them (or be the hulking distraction) is a match made in heaven.

Yes, yes, dry off those sheets.

Ropey or...