OTF

Well at least now we won't have to pretend we're happy about being eliminated from the cup so we don't have it as a distraction.

Totally, though it would be horrendous to get rid of Howe for anyone. You can tell how well respected Howe is by other managers, including Pep, through their comments and body language, which is in stark contrast to Bruce before him where their pleasant platitudes were as empty as Steve's crisp packets. I'm looking forward to seeing how Howe reacts to the inevitable challenges we will face as the season progresses; cup team selections, injuries, switch up tactics mid-game and the pressure that will come from being where we are on the table.

I get what you saying but what do you expect? He does what I expect of a manager in such a situation but does it well by listening to the questions and answering them honestly without giving away too many specifics. It's not like he doesn't say anything, he frequently comments on how well he thinks we played in games regardless of the results, and what we need to work on. I believe that his comments about taking it a game at a time, although cliched, are so for the reason that that is absolutely what you have to do. He doesn't get drawn into speculation or mid-long term commentary which again is appropriate. Sure it might mean there are no grand media grabs, nor potential banana peels but that's not exactly a bad problem to have in my book. Of course he will be different behind the scenes, but I wouldn't call it a front, just his media persona. I'm glad we don't have a raving lunatic who pretends to be your best friend until you ask a question they don't like, or someone who blames everyone else, or holds a grudge, or is negative towards the players/ fans/media as all of them would just cause undue distraction. Here's here to manage the team not tickle the whimsy of reporters out to create a sensationalist headline.

I knew very little of Howe before, just that he had progressed Bournemouth steadily up the leagues over a lengthy management tenure there. Having heard and witnessed plenty of him and watching a lot of his press conferences you can see that he would have interviewed extremely well, and of course with his massive bollocks he was not phased by the relegation that we were staring down the barrel of. He could see beyond it, to the progression that we could make with the financial backing and intent to achieve that the new owners were bringing. It's been a match made in fucking heaven and you're right that he could well become a Newcastle legend in what will be an unprecedentedly short period of time.

If it wasn't for the TV broadcast times I think we would have got it. And also the corruption, mostly the corruption.

Watch them live, that way there's nothing to stop you watching them apart from your own will. It's worked well enough for me for the last 20 odd years.

Obviously, because what happens at Liverpool dictates the health of the sport in its entirety. If Liverpool were to disappear tomorrow the sport would effectively end for all intents and purposes (and for all intensive porpoises too).

Burn has been caught out a few times with how long it takes him to change direction but otherwise he's defensively very good and almost guaranteed to win any headers against wide forwards. He's also actually not bad with the ball at his feet, surprised me on a few occassions, though it always feels risky when he pushes high. My explanation is two fold, he's known to be a great leader so brings that attitude onto the pitch in every game (his urgency has saved our bacon multiple times and only cost us in that game against Everton last season where he was CB) and secondly he's bloody huge so has a massive role to play both in our attacking and defending of set pieces. Howe will keep playing him whilst we don't pay for those occassional moments where he's not as agile as a smaller player is, but at the same time I do believe that he does have full faith in Targett being able to do the job there too when the time comes. Finally what a shocking time to be only able to catch our highlights. What's going on in NZ that you can't watch the entire games?

Unfortunately they're geoblocked for me, I saw the first one he scored which was not amazing. Always liked him as a player though he's slow and uses his arms a lot when defending. Lasting memory will of course be the two goals he scored in added time against Everton to earn the draw in a game that we were otherwise atrociously bad in.

To be fair to you it's possible Fraser is going to the World Cup to be inside that La'eeb headdress ghost sting-ray mascot thing that they refuse to identify.

MOTM Florien Lejeune. Not really, I have no idea, just know that he started.

They'll love playing in Sports Direct Rich Energy Stadium with Wolf Data Systems and House of Fraser proudly emblazoned on their Donnay strip.

Nailed on that he'll hammer them.

Yeah, crazy stuff. I guess reduces the chance of missing the otherwise inevitable big European countries a.k.a. Italy.

Once FIFA get word Scotland will be added as the 33rd team.

This would be good but I think we're more likely to see Lascelles start and potentially he might put Burn or Botman with him. After not playing on Sunday Joelinton will surely start, I hope Bruno does too as our midfield and general shape is much the better for it. I could see Trippier being rested as well, bringing Manquillo in, which is of course creatively, defensively and in terms of leadership a big downgrade. Don't think Pope needs a rest and it's touch and go as to whether Karius will hang around now that Darlow is back in training, so it would make sense for Pope to play.

The man, the legend, Almiron.

What makes you so sure it's intentional? He thought the door for connecting rooms was a special room for storing towels, believes there are five michelin stars, called a safe a vault and can only correctly pronounce about half the letters in the English language. That said there's definitely entertainment in it, in a sort of the Office David Brent/Michael Scott cringe worthy sort of way.

This is so true it bears repeating. It's part of how Leicester won the league; teams and opposing players don't always do their homework and/or pre-existing attitudes dictate how teams and players prepare and play. In our case their expectation is that the opposing team has been on a lucky run that has to come to an end. The result is a definite lag when any team has a noteable adjustment either up or down that can have a significant influence on the results. We're enjoying a little benefit from that now.

The problem is when they wake up. 😧

Botman must have a combined xG of 37 based on prediction posts on Toontastic.

0-2 for me as well. Wilson and Willock.

In addition to that now that we're garnering a lot more possession, and a lot of it further up the pitch, his pressing and pace can more frequently be put to use. Previously if he was pressing he was doing it on his own to little effect. I don't think anyone is expecting him to maintain this return of goals but he absolutely should continue to be a thorn in opposing sides as he suits our high tempo pressing perfectly. His fitness is next level, looking fresh and spritely deep into the second half of games. Long may he continue to work on his passing combinations and final ball (whether a shot or pass) and avoid going to ground softly.

There's definitely something to be said for Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi (plus Reuben) bringing an accessible, familial image to the ownership, extending and fostering the same amongst the coaching staff and players. There's a synergy to all elements of the club currently that is translating to performances that bring results and grow belief allowing our player to reach or even potentially exceed their potential. There's nothing wrong with getting your hopes up in our current position, whereas only a year ago we were setting ourselves up for failure with any level of expectation. Totally agree that the sense of something bad coming is tough to shake after such a lengthy downward trajectory, but I honestly believe that our success (competing for Europe and domestic silverware) is only a matter of when rather than if.

If we had owners who were ambitious who knows what they will be thinking in January based on the massive progress and momentum that has been built in such a short time. We're surely far ahead of the schedule for progression.