Dr Gloom

No, I think he's dead

even 7th or even 8th could get europa league this season depending on who wins the fa cup and whether the PL get the 5th champions league spot

We’ve been forced to play half a side of Mike Ashley era players for most of the season. Miggy, Longstaff, Krafth, Dubravka, Murphy, Schar - all had serious game time last night and have done throughout the season. There are some Mike Ashley players (Schar/Joelinton) who belong at the level we aspire to but most have been outperforming (thanks to Howe). We need to judge Howe once that is no longer the case. I don’t think it was ever the plan for Longstaff, for example, to play so many minutes this season.

Howe 100% deserves another season, whatever happens with the rest of this one. The summer window was one for the future, not the present, he wasn’t backed in the January window at all. He can only take these Mike Ashley era players so far. We all need to be patient. I agree that Howe has made mistakes and is frustratingly stubborn tactically and loyal to certain players but pushing the panic button now is a pointless gamble. Howe has shown he can improve players. We’re still in a much better place than we were two years ago when he took over, even if we have taken a step back after a massive leap forwards last season. Let’s see how he does after he’s been given the chance to properly build a squad equipped to play the sort of game he wants to.

You don’t want to see 11 ASMs then

I think Howe got his tactics wrong yesterday. He can’t be blamed for the individual mistakes that led to some of the goals but I found the decision to try to aggressively press them odd. We looked so much more secure at the back against wolves when we closed the gap between the defence and midfield. I thought we’d stick with those tactics. But we looked so open again yesterday in trying to high press. It’s another game where we lacked control and the opposition could seemingly carve us open at will with a pass or two. Games against teams, on paper, you’d fancy us winning. Like Bournemouth, Luton, Forest and probably a few more I forget. Was last season a flash in the pan? Can Howe continue to play that way with these players? I’m not sure. I think he needs to be more pragmatic, as he was against wolves, then maybe revert to that aggressive high press after the squad is overhauled in the summer.

I was surprised Miley came on for Bruno instead of longstaff, whose form is minging

Howe said Gordon’s injury doesn’t look good.

Oooh, hang on…

Unlike last season, we just can’t get a run if results going. So inconsistent. I think we all felt optimistic after the wolves game but I had a nagging doubt that wasn’t there last season

it’s not Isak’s strongest attribute is it, gambling and attacking one of the posts. He always seems on his heels when it’s fizzed in

The season has had highs and lows but it’s been a massive reality check. Probably much-needed after we outperformed last season with so many Mike Ashley era players.

Throwing in the towel here hooking Bruno

Feels like our season could be more or less over this time next week

Piss poor from dubravka charging out like that

Shite

MAKE SOME SUBS

keep you hex predictions to yourself next time

We could do with some fresh legs on

Cue the Palmer wankfest

Game has got too open. This is when we have tended to concede

None of them made a run to the post