Gemmill

They've worked with Gordon at the start of the season though haven't they? It's far from perfect, but he's the one that, in theory at least, knows the striker playbook.

Again though, Howe isn't picking Gordon cos he thinks he is suddenly going to become a striker. He's doing it out of necessity because he's been told by the medical staff that Woltemade needs a break. It's square pegs in round holes because we've only got one round peg and it's on the verge of breaking. It's absurd to think otherwise. Playing Gordon up front makes us worse. Howe isn't doing that willingly.

Re Gordon, it's the perfect opportunity for Howe, in a season when he's desperate to get to the WC to sit him down and tell him he's out of the side until he plays his way back into it. Tell him Barnes is deservedly first choice now, and Gordon is going to have to use sub appearances to make something happen and force his way back into the team. And if he doesn't, his WC place will likely be at risk. It's been too easy for him so far. He always gets back in ahead of Barnes as soon as he's fit or back from one of his stupid red card suspensions.

I totally understand starting Gordon up front. Flogging Woltemade will eventually lead to him breaking down and we can't afford that. I'm right on the verge of being completely done with Gordon though. The only thing holding me back is that he looked either still not completely fit, or like he couldn't really be fucked last night, and I don't know which it is. There's certainly been enough evidence this season to suggest that his head is elsewhere and he thinks he's better than us. Which he absolutely fucking isn't on current showing.

@thebrokendollyou'll enjoy this. They're FURIOUS about Pope and Gordon.

He played Burn cos Hall is only just back from injury - he said himself in the press conference that he would have to take the advice of the medical staff on Hall and Tino. Eddie Howe isn't a fucking idiot, he can see how limited Burn is at left back, what it's costing us, and how much better we are with Hall playing.

What, halfway through the match when it's apparent he could have done with a rest?

Ah well, honestly not that poor a result to lose by the odd goal to these away from home. Not a massive surprise after the ridiculous effort that went into Saturday nights game. On to the weekend and hopefully we can sort out our PL away form. If you're lumping an away CL tie in and moaning about ANOTHER away defeat, you're being a bit of a bellwhiff.

Nah, if we'd started tonight without Bruno, everyone would have been questioning whether it was a good idea to drop the captain against these. We certainly couldn't have done without him at the weekend.

This place has got WILDLY negative recently. Fucking shite on a match thread unless things are going perfectly our way.

Ran himself into the ground a couple of days ago tbf. The fact we basically can't rest him or Tonali is a big problem.

No great shame getting beaten away by this lot btw. This isn't West Ham away. Still think we can nick a draw though. Howe needs to do something about the goalkeeper situation though. Pope has had more than enough chances. No point in signing a strong backup keeper if there's never a threat to Pope of losing his place.

Thiaw is great.

Willock desperately needs a goal.

There you go, no other side has dropped more points from winning positions in the CL than Marseille. The perfect team to do it against.

We can still get a result here. Need to get an actual striker on.

Get the Benny Hill music on Pope chasing Aubameyang. What a stupid cunt.

Gordon has made some mistakes but we need to cool it a bit. He's been out for a bit and still doesn't look quite right.

Just need another 3 in the second half to go top of the table.

Wonder if Hall's fit enough to do half an hour and give Tino a bit of a rest.

Wtf is Gordon doing there.

Brilliant from Thiaw. The German Bobby Moore.

The stupid cunt had beaten Schar there. What a wanker.

Good lad, the ref.

Canny game. Stupidly open.