Still waiting to see these mythical claims chaos makes of seeing Joelinton as a DM proven Note the letter D in front of the letter M - stands for defensive midfielder for the benefit of the arm chair experts
It’s a bit like when Pardew finished 5th. The only signing we made to strengthen the team then was Vurn. This time we went and bought Tonali. HB was just a swap for ASM. Hall ? Livermento doesn’t play. So we more or less did exactly what we did under Pardew.
Howe is ultimately a manager that no big club would ever have employed or ever will employ. He's done a good job keeping us up, was brought here to steady the ship and should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately this is probably a while away because the club is skint and a top manager will want money to spend.
No, it isn’t. 1. Tonali. He would have been playing. 2. HB. Has started 4 times and come on as sub 9 times. Has been out long period injured. 3. Hall. Agree hasn’t played much. 4. Tino. Has started 13 times and come on as sub 13 times. So, not at all like having signed just 1 player.
None of these players have really kicked us on in any way shape or form. Granted injuries have hampered HB. But we had ASM who was always injured. So no improvement. The season more or less all hinges on the cup now because I cannot see us getting European football. Having said that maybe that’s exactly what we need. No European football. Problem there is we won’t be able to attract top players. And we may indeed loose the good players we have as a result.
The season hinges on the cup? Do you have any idea how much like a Man Utd supporters some of you sound right now? We actually have people saying Howe should be sacked if we fail to win the cup or don't make champions league. In fact we actually have some saying he should just be sacked. The entitlement is baffling. I just think on balance he's still doing what would have been expected when he was hired in his 3 years here. Year 1. Try stave off relegation Year 2. Promotion if relegated or stability if stayed up Year 3. Top half Year 4. European places Year 5. Champions league places. Over those 5 years the club will and currently is in a much stronger position. We've gone from a team with 2 bits of quality in Maxi and Wilson to a team when firing has 6 or 7 in Pope, Botman, Bruno, Willock, Joelinton, Gordon, Isak. The prospect of Liveramento, Botman, Bruno, Willock, Gordon and Isak developing understandings with each other could be superb when some more quality additions are brought in. There has been a hell of a lot of injuries in a paper thin squad which needs to be looked at and some of the points though glaringly obvious with hindsight couldn't be dealt with but will be soon enough. The summers recruitment was puzzling. The one area of the pitch that was screaming for upgrade was the right wing position. It hasn't had a purchase or an upgrade since Rafa was in charge. Miggy's purple patch last season is what has pulled the wool over this one I fear. additionally those screaming about Longstaff playing can be assured if both Joelinton and Tonali were available for selection he wouldn't be playing. I think it's unfair to hit the club with things like we're still playing Longstaff, Murphy, Miggy, Lascelles etc. If we'd sold them the counter argument would be we're still playing Shelvey, Clark, Hendrick, Krafth etc. There's only so many that could be shown the exit door and replaced in the time and with the money we've had. Let's see what happens in the summer. I'm starting to think we're probably in the final 12 months of Howe as manager unless he can flip things around though. Just remember though, those saying it all hinges on the cup..........If we win the cup Howe will be here with 10 years of credit in the bank.
How was Tonali supposed to kick us on when he's been banned? He was out llr big signing of the summer and would have made a major difference had he been fit. Howe knew nothing about his betting and that isn't down to Howe. Barnes had been playing very well before his "freak injury" and would also have made a difference. Tino should have been played more, that's about the only improvement possible.
Not a good weekend for both teams, I'd swap Howe for Ten Hag but you're probably not that ****ing stupid
I refuse to believe that. We've not controlled a match all season, and in our last 5 games have shipped more than 100 shots conceded. Ten Hag is a stubborn **** like nothing I've ever seen
I'm not sure we'll finish as high as that. Players are starting to return, but the impact of the prolonged injury crisis will extend beyond this, having left the team with confidence battered. Little sign of any green shoots of recovery yet.
