Eddie and Mad Dog's still shite but slightly better, it was only Brentford FFS, Geordie Boys v Sandro Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Sandro Use To Room On The Second Floor, Meelan

[Monkeys Fist 45163]

Hook, line and …

 

… stinker. 

[Dr Gloom 23647]

10 minutes ago, The Fish said:

Seeing a lot of criticism of Gordon, or Isak, and Burn, but the issues are 100% the central midfield. Sort that out and everything else will fit into place nicely. Bruno's form is improving and yesterday he was closer to what we expect from him, calm under pressure, linking up with Longstaff, breaking their press with a pass or a move. Much better. However, him, Tonali and Longstaff just don't have the familiarity to play the way we di last season with Joe/Joe, Burno and Longstaff. Tonali is a different kind of player and that's taking a while to dovetail with the other profiles. I'm sure had Longstaff not been injured Tonali would have been eased into the side as is Howe's usual approach. 

 

The other issue is that teams are avoiding our high press by clipping the ball over it to the flanks. This is where we need a more front foot left back and a more cohesive central midfield. Last season, so many of our goals came from our wide men or striker putting pressure on their fullbacks and centre backs and forcing errors high up the field. So our creative play was beginning 25-30yds from their goal. We need a way to either lure them into playing to their fullbacks, or develop a creative pathway from deeper. Without a true blue number 6 I think we have to play Longstaff as his endeavour and understanding with Bruno makes Bruno + A.N. Other much much better. 

 

Our defence was solid last night, but our midfield and attack were misfiring. This is partly due to confidence, partly familiarity and partly due to injury disruptions. We'll be fine.

 

Anyone even suggesting that we should be considering peddling Howe is a fickle prick. We've pasted Villa, competed with Man City, were unlucky against Liverpool, got pasted by Brighton, put in a professional performance against Brentford and, most importantly, gone drew with Milan. In the club's first CL game in 20yrs. 5 players making their CL debut. Several players making their European debut. Without some key players available. Away from home. At a famous old club. To last season's semi finalists.

 

Yes they had 25 Shots but, of those, only 8 were on target, with an xG of 2.2 and a Post Shot xG of 1.2. In other words, they took a load of hit and hope shots, from not particularly optimal positions, and Pope didn't have to make any world class saves to keep us in it. Our best player was Trippier or Longstaff, their best player was Timori. By a mile. Leao was very ASM-like. Calabria didn't know what to do with Gordon and was hooked at half time because he 100% would have got another yellow if he wasn't. 

 

Once we get the midfield more confident, assured, and when we get players back from injury or out of poor form, we'll be a much better prospect. We'll do 'em in the return leg. 

 

i think sheffield uinited are getting a pasting at the weekend and that result kickstarts our season 

[The Fish 11323]

10 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

i think sheffield uinited are getting a pasting at the weekend and that result kickstarts our season 

I think we put in a 'thoroughly professional' performance against Sheffield, compete with Man City in the League Cup, then turn our baleful gaze to Burnley and raze the club to it's very foundations. Epic poems will be written about the torment and suffering those muggy little Lancashire goblins endure.

[ewerk 33229]

 

You can say what you like about Mussolini but at least...

[wykikitoon 22914]

17 minutes ago, ewerk said:

 

You can say what you like about Mussolini but at least...

I walked from the centre of Milan to the San Siro is 36 degree heat, whilst stopping to take photos of architecture etc and it took me 1h 15.  Slow cunts.

[Alex 36732]

I think Gemmill’s point re progression not being linear is correct. It would be true anyway but it’s doubly so given the trajectory of the last 18 months. This is further exacerbated by (for whatever reasons) not being able to strengthen in a couple of key areas (LB / CM). On top of that there are injuries to key performers from last season, the two Joes. This has disrupted things, cut down the options the manager has and has probably meant integrating Tonali more quickly than he’d have liked. 
As an aside ASM went because Howe doesn’t rate him and didn’t trust him. The notion that he’d have gotten a 30 minute cameo in that situation last night is fanciful. 

[PaddockLad 19025]

31 minutes ago, ewerk said:

 

You can say what you like about Mussolini but at least...

There was our entire 4k and about 1k Rossinieri trying to get on to the metro, chaos, no barriers for queuing or anyone taking charge, only fully kitted up Carabinieri looking for a ruck. Of course, some smart cunt chucked a bottle at one of them    instead of battering fuck out of us they shut the station and told us all to fuck off , of which 99% did. We hung around and they re opened it about 20 mins later  

[Gemmill 50006]

Stigmata would explain the bandages, I suppose.

[wykikitoon 22914]

24 minutes ago, Alex said:

I think Gemmill’s point re progression not being linear is correct. It would be true anyway but it’s doubly so given the trajectory of the last 18 months. This is further exacerbated by (for whatever reasons) not being able to strengthen in a couple of key areas (LB / CM). On top of that there are injuries to key performers from last season, the two Joes. This has disrupted things, cut down the options the manager has and has probably meant integrating Tonali more quickly than he’d have liked. 
As an aside ASM went because Howe doesn’t rate him and didn’t trust him. The notion that he’d have gotten a 30 minute cameo in that situation last night is fanciful. 

[Dr Gloom 23647]

5 hours ago, Gemmill said:

 

 

 

 ryder first in there with the cliches

[Renton 23703]

14 minutes ago, LongTimeAdmirer said:

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus was a rasta who liked a bit of BDSM apparently? Maybe there is something to this religion malarkey after all. 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Renton

[Dr Gloom 23647]

27 minutes ago, Alex said:

I think Gemmill’s point re progression not being linear is correct. It would be true anyway but it’s doubly so given the trajectory of the last 18 months. This is further exacerbated by (for whatever reasons) not being able to strengthen in a couple of key areas (LB / CM). On top of that there are injuries to key performers from last season, the two Joes. This has disrupted things, cut down the options the manager has and has probably meant integrating Tonali more quickly than he’d have liked. 
As an aside ASM went because Howe doesn’t rate him and didn’t trust him. The notion that he’d have gotten a 30 minute cameo in that situation last night is fanciful. 

 

i think the final 20-30 mins last night would have suited him. for all his flaws, he gives you an out ball to progress up the pitch and maybe buy a free kick when you have to defend deep. we missed that yesterday after gordon went off and with no willock. i also think he would have done well in the champions league because he loves the big stage. he'd often go missing only to turn up against a team such as man city.

 

but hey ho. ancient history now 

[Alex 36732]

8 minutes ago, LongTimeAdmirer said:

 

 

 

He was sold to give us more wriggle room to pick up players due to ffp and us not having anyone else that could be sold for good coin. 

ASM putting this club on his back one last time

 

 

 

The FFP argument was specific to the situation after two (arguably three) players capable of playing in the same / similar roles were brought in. It’s obvious what Howe’s view was on the player on the back of that. If FFP wasn’t an issue we may well have kept him. But, equally, if it was that much of a concern (and Howe rated ASM) then signing Barnes, Gordon and Livramento (particularly the first two) would not have happened. Surely it’s not that difficult to grasp

[Alex 36732]

6 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

i think the final 20-30 mins last night would have suited him. for all his flaws, he gives you an out ball to progress up the pitch and maybe buy a free kick when you have to defend deep. we missed that yesterday after gordon went off and with no willock. i also think he would have done well in the champions league because he loves the big stage. he'd often go missing only to turn up against a team such as man city.

 

but hey ho. ancient history now 

I don’t recall any 30 minute cameos where he’s terrorised top sides before like 

[wykikitoon 22914]

11 minutes ago, Alex said:

I don’t recall any 30 minute cameos where he’s terrorised top sides before like 

That's because he hasn't.  

[thebrokendoll 10286]

12 hours ago, Isegrim said:

There is a difference as huge as CTs inflated egghead between pointing out obvious short comings and stating that we need a change of the manager.

 

Seriously, give your head a big shake if you think that a few unconvincing and poor performances warrant to jump to conclusions neglecting the progress of the last 24 months.

 

I wasn't sure what the fuck you're getting at here until I went back and re-read the comments by mmxxviii.

me, kneejerking, fickle, in need of giving me head a shake or neglecting the progress of the last 24 months? nah.

I'm sure they exist in twitter land, however watching a match with your eyes open and commenting that other than the opening game of the season we've looked poor and more to the point we've appeared to afford too much respect to man city, liverpool and milan is reasonable, without it bordering on treachery.   

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by thebrokendoll

[Dr Gloom 23647]

1 minute ago, thebrokendoll said:

 

I wasn't sure what the fuck you're getting at here until I went back and re-read the comments by mmxxviii.

me, kneejerking, fickle, in need of giving me head a shake or neglecting the progress of the last 24 months? nah.

I'm sure they exist in twitter land, however watching a match with your eyes open and commenting that other than the opening of the season we've looked poor and more to the point we've appeared to afford too much respect to man city, liverpool and milan is reasonable, without it bordering on treachery.   

 

 

i've seen numpties on twitter calling for howe to go. unbelievable tbh

[Howmanheyman 36636]

13 hours ago, PaddockLad said:

@Gemmill hiya Gemma special gift for you from Milan 😘

 

 

 

 

[Gemmill 50006]

White wee wee

[Alex 36732]

White wee wee  

[Alex 36732]

Just now, Gemmill said:

White wee wee

Great / really puerile minds 

[Renton 23703]

8 minutes ago, Howmanheyman said:

 

 

 

 

 

How do I get coffee out the gaps in my laptop key board ffs.

 

 

[Gemmill 50006]

Same way you get your white wee wee out. Lick it. 

[Renton 23703]

10 minutes ago, Gemmill said:

Same way you get your white wee wee out. Lick it. 

 

Last time I tried that I sprained my neck. 

[Gemmill 50006]

Next time, pick your laptop up and work it like a corn on the cob.