aimaad22

In the last three years with Isak in the squad we've still had these little runs against teams like Bournemouth, Brighton where we've struggled to break them down, and then been run over on the counter. It's not like we're suddenly lacking creativity because he is gone. And the point about his replacement getting injured has been made. I know losing Isak is a blow but I don't see it as a set back in terms of our evolution. A necessary growing pain perhaps. The next challenge for Howe if you will, evolve the forward line and see if we can make it better as whole even if no one individually is at Isak's level. There could also be money to spend in January if the right opportunity presents itself.

Gordon running off of Woltemade will help massively too. Barnes just doesn't offer the same threat. The forwards are pretty much learning to play together. Woltemade will be mint once Howe unlocks the new system, you can already see that.

There is definitely abuse of the H1B but nuking it was obviously not the answer. Typical Trump move aimed at grabbing headlines, leaving it to subsequent revisions/litigations etc. to eventually reach a more sane version of the mess he's added on a stuttering economy . There was justification in adjusting the tariffs if done properly, and there's justification in trying to protect local jobs; again if the twat in charge only had an ounce of sincerity about him but all he's doing is appease his twat base.

Nah he will need a rest after this. Osula should start that. Gordon and Wolte off the bench and fresh for Arsenal.

You have to look at the positives. A competitive performance against Barca followed by an away draw against the 3rd placed team in the league with a largely second string team. The forward line needs figuring out. I think Gordon coming back in will help a lot. And obviously Woltemade getting up to speed.

Decent point I suppose. Shite game to watch but we limited them to few opportunities. Our lack of creativity is a concern but that will have to wait for the forward line to settle a bit and Gordon to come back.

So good Tonali there, others not really up to his level again

Wtf is wrong with this cunt of a ref. Asshole

Ludicrous that. Needed a red shirt to have that given I suppose.

Of course he is

Nick is going to be class isn't he. Does something promising every time he gets the ball

Aye he's rusty. Where the feck is Willock though? He's playing centrally and we haven't seen a glimpse of him ffs

I thought Murphy's just done a Longstaff there

It was the second pass; looked pretty close to me but yeah not as much as the replay showed.

That was a dodgy offside on the goal btw

Yup, I've not got any hope for him anymore. Get rid if you can in January.

Being usually shite there so far.

I think we'll mostly see a 5-4-1 with Hall and Tino pushing out when possible. Burn on the left against Semenyo does birth nightmares so Howe will have covered that.

Quite the bench today, we've come a long way lads Upto the lot to keep things competitive, the big boys can come on and help after 60 minutes.

Ooof. That line up does knock the wind out of you a bit but I suppose it's needed really. I think we need Bournemouth to have a bad day for once again us and hopefully Willock and Miley are upto the task.

Not exactly like Howe to make wholesale changes to the defence, especially when Burn has been doing so well. I expect Thiaw to start with him. I hope Hall does come in though, he was outstanding before the injury and at some point he has to come back in because we need his ability on the ball. I'd be happy with a draw, always a tough game there and they're in great form.

I assumed he would have started if fitness wasn't an issue, but it seems most on here think it was a tactical decision? He got cramps after less than an hour last weekend, and Howe has clearly mentioned he's not ready physically. This is why losing Wissa is such a blow. I don't think we had much of a choice last night other than starting Gordon in the middle, as much as I'd liked to see him on the left. I agree Barnes just doesn't offer enough on the whole as a starting player.

Missed the game but sounds like it was a somewhat predictable outcome; great effort, good chances, quality between the two sides and Wissa's injury made the difference in the end. Meh. We'll be okay if we keep performing like that, and get big Nick up to speed asap.

"Let's call an extra ordinary board meeting tomorrow gents, I think that backpass from Bruno that resulted in an own goal might have set up a lightening counter attack if it had been placed 5.7 metres to the right. We need to get a handle on this ASAP"