The Fish

No idea why Schar was brought on. Get someone who can keep the ball in midfield, or at least give Tottenham something to worry about.

Fuck Isak.

Yup. And we've seen a couple of promising young midfielders go to Pep's Man City and end up doing fuck all. End of the day we were forced to sell him and managed to get £35m, which nobody thought he was worth at the time. I'm happy that a local lad is in the England team and doing well in the Premier League, but the way some people are carrying on it's like we sold prime Messi for £5 and a handjob.

Hey now, lets hear both sides of the story. Y'know, for balance.

I worry that you don't understand what this iteration of "AI" actually is.

If something can impact their home form I could see them dropping fast. A few losses and their fans will turn. They might not have if they'd not got used to winning at their place, but now, if results start going the way of the metrics I could see things getting unpleasant.

At some stage though we have to say that they're doing better than expected. Yes, they're overperforming the metrics and, yes it's likely to revert to the mean at some stage. However by the time it does they may well end up in the conversation for European competition. Which is bonkers. They've a decent 'keeper and their manager has set them up to believe they can compete in this league, if nothing else. I'd love nothing more than a post AFCON collapse, but honestly I think a combination of endeavour, luck and opponents' profligacy means they're likely going to be absolutely fine.

Inherently Moral®

Everton to win, N'Diaye to score, Whitney Houston Gifs all round.

Honestly, I think if we exit the CL, don't get far in the domestic cups and don't finish in the European spots then Howe will be at risk. However, I think it'd take all of those things happening AND for there to be a good replacement available.

I DIDN'T WINDWILL A GOD DAMN SOUL!

@Rayvin Are they genuinely threatening bans for any negative talk?

I'm pretty sure @Rayvin has the inside scoop

Was walking back from taking the lad to school. Car stops on the other side of the road, the dad is a Burnley fan and he leans out the window to shout "Were you laughing at the scousers last night an'all?" Liverpool's misery; bringing everyone together in joy

Heard on a podcast that Rooney got a red card suspension reduced before a major tournament as well.

I don't think the owners have shown any hint of being impatient. Howe has had struggles before, and even then the current 'struggle' has us midtable despite a calamitous summer, in the QF of the Carabao, and doing well in the Champions League. He's not faultless, but some of the noise has been pathetic.

I'm beginning to feel my opinion on him cement. I don't mind if a player is struggling to adjust and just needs a bit of time, but I've seen nothing from him to suggest he's the right kind of player for us. More and more I'm coming to believe he was a signing made with a mind to play him alongside Isak, rather than just a good player. I'm not fully prepared to say flop, but I've already scratched "Elanga is a FL" into my pencil case.

But Howe isn't going to do that. Evr. Even if he wasn't a big fibber when it came to the fitness of our players, he's not going to give any opponent an advantage by suggesting one of our lot is a bit tired.

Not sure we're going to be in the market for a striker. Woltemade, Wissa, Osula currently at the club. Plus Howe still thinks Gordon can "do a job" up front, despite all the evidence that says he fucking can't. Not sure we'll go after a 'keeper either.

Really sloppy

Time has nowt to do with it. You can't hit another person in the face and not get a red. I don't see how this is controversial in the slightest.

A debate? It was handbags, but Gueye slapped Keane. So that's that.