Could be worse, could be Chelsea <laugh>

[quote=Slim999 post_id=915676 time=1703363751 user_id=2196]
I'm not sure we can really blame our current woes on Howe

Let's face it - 22 months ago we were rock bottom & doomed.

Then came the transition ....

Last year we punched above our weight - this year the punch bag has swung back & caught us on the jaw.

Our squad was still nowhere near that of Arsenal's, City's or Liverpools - and ffp has slowed the rate of change.

Then came the injuries - and as a result our fit core of players is no better than Brighton , Spurs or Villa .

The fitness will come & injuries will heal. With them will come new Investments & new gems ( hopefully) like Miley- from youth ranks .

Next season is the one where we stake our claim .

If we don't qualify for Europe this term it could be a blessing

Howe needs at least another 2 years to show what he is capable of
[/quote]

This. We do need a serious clear out of deadwood in the summer (Dummet, Manquillo, Ritchie, Gilipse, etc), make our mind up on Hall if we letting him go or buying him on a perm deal, make our mind up on the likes of Miggy/Longstaff/Wilson/Targett/Kraft, etc weather they gonna be in the first team picture or start to become more back-up/squad players. I feel like Burn has to switch back to CB, shouldn't be our starting LB only play him there if NEEDED especially if Targett/Hall/Livernmento can play there or get a new quality LB come summer time as he slows our play too much and hasn't got the pace or attacking prowess to be effective in that position. RW is another position that needs upgrading as I've said many times we need a right elite winger/forward such as a Bowen/Olise/Raphina/Mbeumo or someone like Marcus Edwards(sporting lisboa), Yeremy Pino or Nicolas Gonzalez all would be a upgrade on Miggy. We need a young and upcoming CB to be Schar's long-term successor. Keep Schar - Botman partnership with Lascelles / NEW Young CB plus Burn. I think we're stocked up in midfield with Willock, Miley and Anderson all looking to have a bright future.. maybe get a young and upcoming strong defensive / holding midfielder to compliment our current batch of CM's but not a priority. Wish we got a creative / attacking playmaker like Maddison we missed a trick there for sure. Maybe Anderson can be that sort of player in the middle for us in the future? Finally also a young and upcoming strong pacey n' skillful forward to compliment Isak (Aguero/Tevez/Alvarez like forward).. Wilson is getting on a bit and should be a squad player next season (similar to the Dummet/Ritchie role but he'll play more) especially with his injuries/fitness issues.

All in good timing though, I feel like cause we overachieved and everything came so quick (top four success, etc) it has caused expectations to be risen but in reality we'll do good to end up in the top 6, I say give Howe a full summer to see what he can do next season as this season you can say injuries / fatigue / schedule / bad luck has messed us up so even ending top 7/8 would be a good achievement in all honestly. Howe shouldn't be under no pressure unless we seriously take a massive fall of grace like ending outside of the top 10 / mid-table but otherwise give him time, a fully fit squad and a summer of investment too see what he can really do. Even if we don't qualify for Europe.. I'll be happy with a top 8 finish and a decent FA Cup run this season. Next season with new signings/squad overhaul and everyone fit we can give it a good shot again for the top 4 and the cups. <ok>

I’m all for chucking in the Liverpool game (these never end well), gift them the three points and the players a week off ahead of the derby.

Watching the highlights we got lucky it was only 1-0. The Lockyer thing obviously gave them extra incentive but they deserved to win. Bruno looked like he was running through treacle at times, definitely needs a break whenever we can.

Key is momentum and incremental progress.
We have undoubtedly stalled when compared to recent tends since EH appointment
Going forward we need two things imo
1. Obviously a fit return of first teamers ( unknown)
2. Three decent additions in January as a minimum, to cover GK, CM, and a striker.
We are a work in progress, we are hitting bumps in the road. Always to be expected compared to last seasons achievement.
What is of interest would be exactly the owners position. There is no Amanda love in and thanks Eddie all is this , its just great, Now all a bit considered and measured, you wonder just what the chairman is pondering over.

[quote=Slim999 post_id=915676 time=1703363751 user_id=2196]
I'm not sure we can really blame our current woes on Howe

Let's face it - 22 months ago we were rock bottom & doomed.

Then came the transition ....

Last year we punched above our weight - this year the punch bag has swung back & caught us on the jaw.

Our squad was still nowhere near that of Arsenal's, City's or Liverpools - and ffp has slowed the rate of change.

Then came the injuries - and as a result our fit core of players is no better than Brighton , Spurs or Villa .

The fitness will come & injuries will heal. With them will come new Investments & new gems ( hopefully) like Miley- from youth ranks .

Next season is the one where we stake our claim .

If we don't qualify for Europe this term it could be a blessing

Howe needs at least another 2 years to show what he is capable of
[/quote]

Agree with all of that and this season has been subjected to numerous issues where we are still outperforming but let's be honest. It was Luton Town.

Preseason thoughts and that's a banker of 3 points away.

I know that Luton look like the only promoted team likely to be fighting survival come the end of the season but I still feel we dropped a clanger.

Had a few wines and feeling happier now and prepared to put it all behind.

Onwards and upwards we'll go.

I'm not sure we can really blame our current woes on Howe

Let's face it - 22 months ago we were rock bottom & doomed.

Then came the transition ....

Last year we punched above our weight - this year the punch bag has swung back & caught us on the jaw.

Our squad was still nowhere near that of Arsenal's, City's or Liverpools - and ffp has slowed the rate of change.

Then came the injuries - and as a result our fit core of players is no better than Brighton , Spurs or Villa .

The fitness will come & injuries will heal. With them will come new Investments & new gems ( hopefully) like Miley- from youth ranks .

Next season is the one where we stake our claim .

If we don't qualify for Europe this term it could be a blessing

Howe needs at least another 2 years to show what he is capable of

[quote=Colly post_id=915667 time=1703350919 user_id=125]
[quote=UlversToon post_id=915663 time=1703350720 user_id=179]
Feels like that year Derby only got 11 points and we gave them 4.

Very disappointing.
[/quote]

Harsh on Luton for me, they've beaten that tally already. We are bafflingly s*** away though, it can't all be put down to fatigue.
[/quote]

I wasn't taking anything away from Luton, they throughly deserved their win but, like Sheff U & Burnley, they look as if they're going down and we really should be taking points from them.

We really miss someone like willock who can drive forward from midfield with the ball.

Well that's really pissed me off. Would love to just get drunk now but going to the inlaws but apparently I have a drinking problem.

Edit. I do have a drinking problem.

Yet another inexcusable performance. Howe needs to be questioned on how he intends to start turning this around as our season is now on the brink of nosediving off a very steep cliff.

[quote=UlversToon post_id=915663 time=1703350720 user_id=179]
Feels like that year Derby only got 11 points and we gave them 4.

Very disappointing.
[/quote]

Harsh on Luton for me, they've beaten that tally already. We are bafflingly s*** away though, it can't all be put down to fatigue.

[quote=overseasTOON post_id=915662 time=1703350681 user_id=86]
Xmas ruined. Gonna s*** in the turkey and call it a stuffing.
[/quote]

I've got to go to a Liverpool fans' house for Xmas dinner, feel like a positive covid test may be the best way out!

Howe looks ashen faced and well pissed off

😢 not good game, away form terrible this year

Feels like that year Derby only got 11 points and we gave them 4.

Very disappointing.

Xmas ruined. Gonna s*** in the turkey and call it a stuffing.

Bah f***ing humbug

f***ing shambles

Hall!!!

Guaranteed to get 15 mins of football under his belt this season so far.