Christmas Tree

I’d be hooking Longstaff at half time. He looks shot.

Fucking hell. Our passing tonight has been atrocious and we seem to be taking 2 or 3 touches when there’s an instant ball on. Don’t know what’s up, tiredness or what, but Eddie was berating them on the touchline when Pope was down. Never seen him that angry. Also Pope for their goal was awful. We need a very steady 10 minute start to the 2nd half or this is only going one way.

Off in the summer

All ready for the match

Understandable changes in fairness but gutted Isak is not starting. Willock more of a goal threat than big Joe. Hopefully Callum has lost his sluggish play.

I was watching a good discussion about this earlier and hadn't give much thought to the potential negatives of the competition. Pro's More cash from Sponsors Bigger transfer budget in the summer Able to attract better players Cons A big drain on next years Premier league push due to extra matches Extra pressure on EH due to having no experience of European football, having to juggle 2 games a week and having to keep a bigger, more expensive squad happy. Possible FFP problems that would arise by a more expensive wage bill and potentially struggling to reach top four next season. I know as a fan I really just want us to qualify, but might EH and the club be in a stronger position if it came a year or so later?

Must admit the end of season pissy pants has kicked in. I was fine against Man U but now we are in 3rd and the end is nigh......

He sounds very alarmist but I’m still unclear how we are all going to die?

Cheers 👍

Not being a Gammon, but admittedly ignorant, is this Ramadan breaking during the game something new? Also does it end at a set time?

“Trust Howe” ”He isn’t a Howe player” Howe keeps picking him I have no problem if Howe wants rid in the summer, I just think he gets so much stick given he’s been plagued with injury and is changing his game to suit the team. Its never been in doubt that he always seems better when Target was overlapping compared to Burn.

But Howe trusts him enough to keep picking him and Howe says he’s been playing with an injury. You either Trust Howes decision making or not. There will be games where he’s suitable and others where he’s not. That’s part and parcel of having a big quality squad going forward. I just don’t get the hate for him given he has had an injury plagued season and looks as though he’s taking on board Howes coaching with his decision making.

With better finishing from his team mates he could have had 4 or 5 assists. HAVOC! I trust Howe to and he keeps picking him (when fit).

I agree with all that, but given where we were at Christmas before the “blip”, I will be absolutely gutted if we miss out on top 4. But for poor finishing we would be almost home and dry already. It would be easier to stomach if we’d played badly during the blip, but we dominated some teams but just couldn’t finish. The next 3 away games will make or break our top 4 chances.

He caused havoc on Sunday and his decision making was first class most of the time. Could have had 3 or 4 assists. Part of being a big team is having a big squad of good players who offer different skills and having a manager who picks his team not always just on form, but also on the opposition. Particularly against the better teams and hopefully in the champions league, he would offer that spark of brilliance that no one else can. Many on the list to exit before we get to him.

Nigel Lawson if Nigella needs comforting

Fucking get in

That’s it every week tbf. I do feel dirty

Also don’t forget the paddle boarding on Windermere from the National Trust site (far end).

The Segway hire at Grizedale might be fun for the kids as well. Btw, don’t forget I KNOW WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE THERE WILL BE NO ESCAPE

Absolutely Just watched the match back, then Craig hopes podcast, then True Faith, followed by Gary Neville’s podcast where he spends the first 10 minutes talking very good about us. Now just waiting for match cam to come out.

Every now and then I have a deep thought and here it is…. I wonder if the poor finishing is partly due to our athleticism and that we are attacking at 100 mile an hour. Ie chances come at speed to players arriving at speed. These players like Maddison that I here off who can gracefully knock one in from the edge of the box, would they find it more difficult finishing if they were part of Eddies turbo, run ragged army. That is all

Get Brockhole booked up for kids

See you there!

Well what a fucking belter of a game that was. I tried to get a chorus of “you’ve seen United now fuck off home going”, but to no avail. One of the best atmospheres in a while with constant singing that’s left my voice well and truly fucked. Arrived in the ground about an hour early (east stand / Leazes corner) and rather than heading straight for the chicken nuggets, chips and curry sauce, decided to go walkabout and see who was being interviewed on the opposite touchline. ‘‘Twas Shola with his lovely big grin. Walked a bit further and stood directly above the dugouts as our lads came out to warm up. Brilliant to see them so close up. Looked behind me and there was chicken nonce on one side and Caulkin on the other. Was just about to have a seat in the press seats with a spare sky sports mic, but got moved along by an eagle eyed steward. Also had a weird toilet experience. Went for a slash and vape in the cubicle and was pissing like a racing horse. A very long time passed and I was still hearing the piss pound into the basin. Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I looked downwards to discover that the “noise” was actually the toilet leaking and I’d long finished Anyway, brilliant game, could have been 5 or 6, ASM did not disappoint and Eddie got everything right. God, where we could have been if not for our wobble.