Dr Gloom

I don’t think it’s as simple as not being able to function without a single player. Longstaff was pretty poor when he was on the pitch compared to recent games. It was the haphazard subs/formation changes that killed our momentum. In the last half hour no one knew what their roles were, which isn’t a surprise given at times you had Tino at left back, Hall in midfield and Isak/Gordon as attacking midfielders. It turned chaotic, reeked of panic and didn’t look like anything they had practiced on the training ground. So unlike Howe, who is usually measured and predictable with his in-game changes

I think it was quite similar to both of those games - we controlled large parts, created the better chances and should have scored a few if we could hit a barn door. I was hoping we had turned a corner after Forest and Chelsea but we’ve seen this performance so many times this season against the so-called lesser teams. The difference this time was how we fell apart in the last half hour, the panicked nature of Howe’s subs and what followed - our structure and game plan completely falling apart in the closing stages.

what xG does explain is we should have been ahead first half. If we score one of the many big chances created the crowd get involved and it’s a totally different game. Up until their second goal went in West Ham had registered two shots on goal. They scored both of them. We are in control before their second goal, despite being behind and there were clearly goals in the game for us. It was after their second goal that we fell apart. Until then I was pretty happy with what I saw, apart from the continued failure to take chances. I don’t know what’s happened to our finishing this season. Last season those opportunities were going in.

oh, 100%. It was only the last half hour or so when it went tits up.

We out xgd them first half and started the second half the better side. We controlled the game and were unlucky to be a goal down. The chances were there for us if we stuck to the game plan. Heads dropped after the second goal went in, okay, i’ll give you that, and he was forced to make some changes but it was panic stations from howe for the final third of the match with square pegs in round holes and a formation where clearly no one knew what the fuck they were supposed to be doing. At times we had Gordon dropping centrally as some sort of link up player, Lewis hall in midfield, Tino at left back, Isak doing I don’t know what in a deeper role. And Jacob Murphy, well. I’ve seen enough of that kid in a Newcastle shirt

I think on reflection it’s Howe’s worst managerial performance. We controlled the first half and there were goals in it for us, despite being a goal down, but his arse fell out second half after their second went in and he threw on everything he had on the bench like he was playing a game of fifa. We ended up looking so ragged and disjointed. So unlike Howe

Please sign a right winger, for the love of god.

I’m going for a 3-1 win to us. Guhei with all four

Hate to break it to you ewerk but I’m going to this match

If you don’t think we were the better side first half then yeah. We created enough high value chances to go in ahead or level at the very least. we were pants in the second half after their second, I agree with that

Willock was the biggest disappointment for me. He looked like he was playing himself into form but everything seems to bounce off him and he couldn’t argue with being hooked at half time. Isak too was another one who was below his best. Any a normal game he takes at least one of those chances

we created loads of chances in the first half but didn’t take them. Pretty much the story of our season against the so-called lesser sides. We score one of those and it’s a totally different game

we should have been two or three one up in the first half on chances crested. Gordon and Isak both missed chances that were easier to score. i don’t know what happened second half. After a bright start we fell apart. The bench looked like it could win us the game on paper but we seemed more off the pace with every sub. Credit to West Ham. I thought they defended really well and grew into the game, pretty much bossed it after the second went in instead of sitting back and protecting what they had. Wan Bissaka looked like prime Steven Gerrard at times, stepping into midfield. The league is mental this season. Everybody taking points off each other, except Liverpool.

Every sub made us worse but Jacob Murphy man. We’ve got to improve that right flank.

Wow, I got this completely wrong. I thought we’d step up second half but we’ve looked so ragged since their second goal. And we’ve been more and more disjointed with every sub as we’ve tried to chase the game

This is a smash and grab raid

nah, we just need to carry on as we are but take our chances. Gordon and Isak shoukd have both scored. It’ll come

yeah, we’re the better side. It’s been a lot like the forest game so far. A goal against the run of play. We’ll come good and we have plenty of ammo on the bench

West Ham working much harder then I thought they would given all the prematch chat. Looks like they’re playing for their manager after all. We’re looking good though. Keep at it and our goals will come

i hate playing a team in a bad run of form because we’re usually terrible at being the favourite and always struggle to break down the teams we’re “supposed” to beat

good bench

Wow, the MNF crew have actually started the show talking about our game. I’m amazed they’re not all over Man U’s new manager or Salah’s performance yesterday

I’m not sure who you’re arguing with. He’s clearly still a great goal scorer. I don’t think anyone disputes that. He is just a footballer however and if he isn’t performing he should be rested or rotated - just like any other player

Southgate was in awe of him, afraid to drop or sub him during the euros when he wasn’t performing. That was a massive problem. But it wasn’t the only reason Southgate got it wrong - the midfield balance and left back issue plagued him all tournament too. Plus he was far too cautious and reactive when he has players available to play a front foot game.