OTF

Never argue with an old bastard about anything, much less an opinionated one. They have all the time in the world and are never going to change their position.

He's fine apparently. Sorry to disappoint you sado masochistic bastards.

There's at least 36 roles now, per position, and that's not taking into account low block audibles or mid-sector transgressors.

Definitely the case, we built on our strong defensive fortitude in the first half of the season in particular based on the consistency of oir back five. This season we've already had an injury to our most important defender and Pope has looked very shaky. We're going to concede a lot more than we did last season, and teams will set up against us in a very different way. I'm not reading too much into these games because that run of three games is by all measures incredibly difficult. The only one of them that I'm truly disappointed by (and that's putting it mildly) is the Liverpool game. If that ends differently even with the other results we're not having this conversation. No other team has had as tough of a scheduling start to the season. Whilst we have some easier league games coming up they're balanced against a super busy schedule where there will be some very tough team selections to make. We'll have to see more game time for our new players through this period, there's just no way around it, but I feel it will also mean that we'll not see Wilson and Isak start together but instead they’re be alternated up top.

Matt Targett dull?

Barnes had an impact against Aston Villa. Diaby has started well, but I wouldn't say brilliantly. Did nothing against Liverpool when for us Gordon in the same position against them was the best player on the pitch. Maddison will make hay while the sun shines but last season he showed that he can go missing when the going gets tough. We do lack that sort of creativity though, you can't deny it.

The problem I have with dropping Bruno is there is noone to come in to play the role that he's not doing now. I guess Tonali goes deeper and Willock has the legs to push forward and get back.

Yep, Isak out left Wilson up top.

The last time Targett knew our system was more than a year ago.

Botman will be back and Burn will be moved back to LB. This was a chance to give Hall a full game that has been wasted on confirming that Targett is off the pace.

Exactly this. Start Hall. It's clear from last season that Howe doesn't have confidence in Targett, and it's why Hall was bought. It's like Howe felt the need to protect Targett's feelings by starting him here.

Looked like his legs already were off tbh.

This is not a great response from bottling that game.

And the defensive frailty

They have time at the top of the box, shoot and score. We have time and Longstaff passes it to noone.

Lascelles on so Burn can go back to LB at 3-0 down. Surely you give Hall a debut?

Me too. At 4AM.

Glad we didn't get Joao Pedro, looks shit against us playing terribly.

It's actually terrible isn't it. Anderson and Longstaff both pushing high up the pitch, and we know Bruno can't do it all.

For fuck sake, too much space.

I know Anderson had a quality pre-season but he's never come on as a sub in the premier league and had any end product. Saying this now so he proves me wrong.

Time for a Hall debut by my watch.

If anyone but Trippier did that we'd have their head

That's a free kick if it's against them, but nothing given to us.