OTF

Not sure why you felt it necessary to slate @sammynb like that, but each to their own. I don't really like Ange but he seems to have carved out a reasonable reputation for himself by leaving the country and the preconceptions here about him which are probably influenced more by the lack of any great standout talent coming through the national system than by his own ability as a manager.

Not to burst your bubble but we can safely assume that they know what they're doing and not be concerned that you don't.

Once upon a time he actually had a smidge of threat in attack and some pretty good timing in midfield challenges breaking up play. Let's see next season if Howe thinks he can get that back out of him.

Not worth it, let them learn it themselves, slowly but surely. Bruce talking about finishing mid table is a complete misnomer because it wholly ignores hs most recent history here where he was a nailed on certainty to relegate us. The fact that we fluked a couple of mid table finishes despite him rather than because of him is not going to change anyone's mind who is at least semi informed. I honestly don't care what happens at West Brom, just happy that this cretin is no longer at our club.

Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles liked this post

He's been mixed of late, with more bad than good, but given his age and track record he could do ok as a fringe player alongside better teammates in midfield. His injury would be why he didn't make the squad. This could also be why we sell him in the summer too, as he would easily find a spot in a newly promoted side or similar.

Mike Ashley, the owner who does as little and spends as little as possible had to bring in a coach to handle tactics because Bruce and his existing trainers had no idea and the team were in an absolute free fall. That was this season. I know tactics and strategy are less important in the championship, and it's possible that the players will like him because he's a lazy prick who will basically pick his favourites and then let them do what they like, but even if they somehow manage to snare promotion you absolutely do not want him in the premierleague. I had a quick squiz at a West Brom forum and quite a few of them seem to think he's a good or reasonable appointment. Good luck to them, if they manage promotion playing them next year will be fun times.

It is beyond comprehension that anyone would employ him after the state he left Newcastle in.

FYP

Right, now where's the Patron forum, I've got some (more) complaints to make...

When the letters worked having had prick as the word not so long ago I was pretty confident with this one.

Wordle 228 2/6 🟨🟨⬜🟨⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

That'll be Joe on the end of it next week. Joga bonito* is coming. * Not a free agent we are signing.

FFS mate he's a footballer not a public speaker.

Arsenal's better window:

Etikite eh? Took a tour of our training facilities and was blown away.

I'd love to see some of the games in training once we have our full assortment of players. Can imagine Guimaraes and Joe wanting to play together.

Also probably balancing out their 25 man squad as well. Unfortunately you can't just peddle the shite that isn't good enough, you have to actually offer up something of merchantable quality. Or Jeff Hendrick. One or the other.

It won't happen until the question of relegation has a firm answer.

We're not going to let you take the piss - what kind of amateur operator says that? You sell a player if the price that is offered is acceptable to you, regardless of how much money the buying club has. To not do that is to cut off your nose to spite your face. Of course that's not an actual quote from someone in a decision making position, rather someone low enough down the pole to talk to a journalist and try to big note themselves.

Is this one of those where is the ball things? If so it's a trick and it was floated back across the box harmlessly out of frame.

That's a good point actually, ASM will make runs, and I guess Fraser will also, but you need someone central who can challenge the defensive line of the other team. Perhaps a chance for Miggy to come in and play centrally behind Wood? It's nice to have options, though it would have been nicer if we'd also purchased a more dynamic forward as well as Wood.

Agree he's getting a bit of a rough deal. If he was called Cristoforo Allardici they'd be much more receptive.

I'm quite optimistic about both Burn and Targett, they seem like very down to earth lads who will fit straight in and work well with Howe. It will be very interesting to see who lines up in defense against Everton, particularly who is tasked with marking Calvert-Lewin and who picks up Richarlison. As much as we'd probably start Schar or Fernandez over Lascelles I can see Lascelles being selected again in his normal right sided centre back position with Burn playing his natural left sided. Once the game starts though Lascelles often plays that almost sweeper role where he falls almost in behind not marking anyone in particular (why he has inflated aerial duel stats IMO because he's winning half contested headers based on his positioning). They will need some help in marking Richarlison before he gets to the box, that will also be interesting to see if someone is tasked with that or whether it will be based on where Richarlison positions himself. So much to learn in our next game.