Holden McGroin

Sweden have a decent chance there.

The vote is very suspicious. There has been a massive shift (they wouldn't sign in a Adelina Grijavala a few weeks ago) from being completely obstructive. I suspect the DoJ will block this with "cant release this as its part of a current investigation" type stance. There is definitely some Machiavellian scheme going on here.

Aye. I don’t see Howe deviating away from this any time soon.

Tonali didn’t do great at the 8 position before as well.

They’ll just scream fake news and sweep it under the carpet.

That was clearly Howes thinking though.

Did they also contact them to ask why Virgil didnt get a yellow for the sarcastic clap?

I said I can understand why Howe chose him but I don't think it would make that much of a difference as Miley is hardly a dwarf. Plus, Howe definitely prefers Joelinton as a starter as well regardless of set pieces.

I never really said it was. I understand why he was chosen. Its the same reason I understand why Burn was kept on.

I think the point is he is still a big lad. He is hardly Ryan Fraser.,

Miley is 3cm taller than Joelinton.

Bruno and Barnes are still 27 btw. Even 28 is still prime anyway. Agree about defence although a first choice defence might be Tino-Thiaw-Botman-Hall which suddenly looks quite youthful.

Ive been saying it since the the 2022/23 season that Howe needs to evolve to a more technical and less intense style of play if we are to be more successful in all competitions. Its great to watch when are suffocating teams then explode with a few quick fire goals to kill the game but its too intense (especially as you say with ageing players) to keep it up for 2 games per week. Im happy to follow Howe though. He has done more than enough to earn a "down" season or 2. The grass isn't always greener.

Well, technically they were 2 places above the relegation zone when he got the news so you never know. Whatever happened they underachieved that season.

A lot of our identity over the past few years has been fast, expositive attacks, often on the counter attack. Thats just not there anymore. I think Howe wanted to add an extra dimension to our play. Maybe use Big Nick against certain opposition to utilise a game plan. Whatever it is , it's not working at the moment. Realistically Wissa is going to take weeks to get upto speed after his debut so I don't see a quick fix here. Im chilled though, I'd take 10th and a couple of good cup runs again. We need to have perspective of where we come from and as long as the players are still buying into it, then the manager should be safe.

He got sacked before they went down for the second time.

I don't think Eddie is changing from 4-3-3 yet.

Strand-Larsen and (I think) Sesko don't run in behind as well so I think we were after a different type of player to compliment Wissa.

No-one is moaning about Woltemade. He is a good player and has done really well. The argument is he doesn't fit our current system. Howe will need to come up with a solution for this.

My Dad was asked to sign a petition to get Keegan out. He told them to fuck off. There are a small minority of idiots always around (which sadly starts growing with every defeat). Their descendants are probably all on Twitter now.

Did Labour actually promise any major reform? I remember the lead up to the election being pretty underwhelmed but thinking they were just sitting on the fence to get into power.

Not even a banana skin this one. I’d be delighted with a point.

It’s doesn’t really work like that. He often has to occupy two CBs so when they know that he is going to come short every time they’ll both go with him and crowd him out. As mentioned our wingers don’t play high (like Salah) so they’ll just force us back down the pitch. i saw this numerous times today. Trippier was looking to get out but had to hit it into feet and the first CB just stepped in front of Big Nick. we can’t stretch teams with the current tactics I’m afraid. We either need to learn quickly or hope Wissa is the answer away from home.

I’d seriously think about playing Schar in the next game.