NobbySol

Self imposed hiatus from News Now for me. New link every 10 minutes. Setting myself up for disappointment.

Whatever way you look at it, it's a piss poor start to summer proceedings. Very insipid. It's difficult to pin down who's to blame but there appears to be failures on multiple fronts. - Mitchell appears to have been a horseshit hire. Done nothing but stir amongst key personnel at the club and lambast the very successful transfers done previously. Yes, perhaps under PSR we do need to shop differently than buying expensive premier league talent but how often do we actually do that? Sales were minimal because our players weren't of a standard others would pay top or moderate £ for. - We've been led to believe that the lack of investment in 3 windows and selling Almiron & Kelly halfway through the season, would benefit immediate and future windows. Hardly hit the ground running, pre season starts next week & Eddie explicitly stated his desire to do transfer business early. Brunos post match wording appeared to back up the necessity for new players & it felt like a great show of defiance against Mitchell (who fucked off swiftly after) and a reminder to the board. We don't seem to have acted on that. - If we are constrained by PSR, then focus on a few acquisitions rather than trying to low ball clubs, to hit an accumulative figure that means you get everything you want. Buy what you can without the piss being taken out of you and shop again in the next window. Constant refreshment of the side is a vital show of ambition and positive for team morale & standards. Alternately, shop for a mix of ready made players and lower value ones in Europe and take a punt. Yes we need to get most things right & we have to date but it feels we're at an impasse now. - The fact we haven't replaced Eales yet is a joke. There seems to be a lack of management at the top & decision makers aren't making decisions. - Communication across the board has been awful for a good while now on multiple fronts and that supports the previous, doesn't feel like there are decision makers at the club or, not all are pulling in the same direction. This time of the year is meant to be enjoyed. Just won a trophy, qualified for the champions league again, we have players who every other club wants & we on paper, have excellent backers with material growth opportunities evident. We also have the best manager I think we've ever had. Expecting him to perform miracles is totally unfair & I think if he's not backed & we don't see material growth, he and or players will want out. He's a clever operator and playing small bits out in public to swing power in his direction but surely this is pissing him right off? I'm hoping we pull a few signings out the bag in the coming weeks. Ones not linked to in the press (as has been the case in the past) and hopefully they get us excited. If not, massive opportunity missed & a big uphill climb this season. Also, fucking sign Trafford for fuck sake. It's getting tedious.

€1.5BN spend and counting since 2022/2023 season begun. In the words of Lego Head, "It's a disgrace".

Now £25m according to SSN. Haven't got a fucking clue have they.

Now swiftly changed to £27m by SSN...

£28m bid for Trafford rejected apparently, according to Sky Sports.

If we're signing Trafford (how long have we heard it's happening), then Pope is gone. No way Trafford is moving as a number 2 or potentially no 1. No way Pope at this stage of his career is sitting on the bench. Wouldn't be surprised if both Pope and Dubs left (assuming Trafford signs), which leaves a bit of a hole. Pope is class but for me there's been a clear regression since his shoulder injury. He doesn't get down quick at all and he simply does not catch anymore, not engaging in any form of battle to cling. He's always been abysmal with his feet. He's a great talker, great shot stopper and generally OK at box management. He also plays that keeper sweeper role well, helpful with two old centre backs with very limited pace (not inc botman here). We need an upgrade and if Traffford is that person, we need him in this summer. His price won't reduce in the next 12 months (2 years left with option to extend) and he's in the England set up now - so price will inflate further if anything. Don't think it'll happen this summer and reckon Howe "accepts" Pope for another year. I'd be delighted with Lucas Chevalier personally, who has very similar attributes to Pope but is considerably better with ball at feet. Wouldn't have to change the way we play but have that ability to pass back and relieve pressure much better. Wouldn't see those hooked 30 yard clearances to the benches anymore!

Van Hecke is class. Everytime they've beaten us (often enough), he's been their best player. His through balls penetrate the high press lines and having watched alot of him, he's quite the creator (often ball to assister). Absolutely loves a crunching tackle and positioning excellent. We'd do well to prise away at decent value though & signing him, would prevent us signing Pedro, who seems class in patches but very arrogant.

This for me. Clearly carrying a niggle - isn't sprinting the same way with the exception on Sunday to absolutely wipe curly head twat Cockurella out. Since Gordon's suspension/injury, he hasn't been as effective & I think that's due to Gordon taking up a lot of space and having the ability to go either way with trickery & presses so high up. Barnes is not the same player. Much more direct towards goal with intention to cut in and hit and does not press the same way. Isak is not getting the ball anywhere near as much higher up the field and on Sunday, was dropping in deep and out wide alot of the first half hunting the ball. The team look a little jaded in general and it's no surprise given the size of the squad. We've realistically had only 3 injuries to squad players unitl the weekend, for a few weeks anyway & unable to rotate, unlike the likes of Villa and Chelsea. Drums home how immense we've been this season, without one of the best centre backs in the league (who's big game performances have been sublime) & provides real excitement for the summer with scope to spend and what looks like likely champions league football. Isak is staying & we're mounting a charge next season, post acquisition of 4/5 players that can start/push for it. Mon the pies.

Nunez is absolutely tragic. Also wouldn't be spending £50m on Elliott either.

Absolutely fuck off Liverpool.

Decent goal to be fair by Chelsea there. Nice to see Liverpool rest their centre midfield. Pricks.

Positives - A point at a ground we usually lose at. - Another point gained from a losing position. Remember seeing stats years ago about our inability to come from behind to salvage anything. We are resilient. - Save for the goal and the shocking header by Gomez at the end, they created nothing. Negatives - We were so blunt in the final third until Gordon game on. - Missing Joelinton, who doesn't let the opposition sleep. Brighton misplaced a few passes but their players let it bobble under their feet with limited pressure. Willock is not that player. - Willock is a luxury player in my opinion & very streaky in form. At the moment, he's not on it and he had opportunities to create something today. - Squad depth is poor from a creative perspective. Imagine that'll be addressed this summer. I'd have taken a point before KO and it could be a huge one, come the end of May. Thought Barnes was good & is moving away from either scoring but being largely absent, to being a driving force regardless of goal contributions. That game missed Joelinton and Lewis Hall, who I think is a clever ball mover in the attacking third - creates angles others don't. We move onto a big one next week.

This is absolutely awful. Howe needs to make changes now.

Say it too often but Willock is an awfully lazy footballer bar the occasional sprint with the ball on the break. No way near the second ball ever and doesn't press anywhere near enough. Massive miss Joelinton.