January

[18nufc92]

Barkley would be a terrible signing. Arrogant person who has to be the big fish in a small pond to perform to his best. Great player when he is the main man though.

Our midfield balance has been poor all season, desperately poor when Big Jo is injured. We need a proper holding midfielder. Bruno is wasted in that role. Kalvin Phillips on loan is probably the best we can hope for in January. Should be priority in the summer.

Basically we’re going to have to make do with this squad until the summer so the players, and coaching staff, need to sort themselves out. Players are feeling sorry for themselves and many of them have lost the hunger that served us so well last season. Eddie and his staff need to crack the whip because the away form is an embarrassment for a club with expectations of European football. I don’t buy the tiredness excuse, the top clubs manage every season.

[Zippity]

Barkley would be a terrible signing. Arrogant person who has to be the big fish in a small pond to perform to his best. Great player when he is the main man though.

Our midfield balance has been poor all season, desperately poor when Big Jo is injured. We need a proper holding midfielder. Bruno is wasted in that role. Kalvin Phillips on loan is probably the best we can hope for in January. Should be priority in the summer.

Basically we’re going to have to make do with this squad until the summer so the players, and coaching staff, need to sort themselves out. Players are feeling sorry for themselves and many of them have lost the hunger that served us so well last season. Eddie and his staff need to crack the whip because the away form is an embarrassment for a club with expectations of European football. I don’t buy the tiredness excuse, the top clubs manage every season.

Always good points from you, man, but I do disagree about the tirednes thing.

It's got to be affecting the way we train, too, given that they'll only be able to use-and therefore overuse-the fit players. As these games are about small margins, every little factor that tips the balance can have an effect and not being able to spread the workload has led to the tiredness we're seeing.

Top flight professional sport is all about the fine margins-and that includes luck-and the margins would appear to be against us this season.

[18nufc92]

This was the first and only time I’ve watched us and doubted we put our all into the game. We were outfought in every department. Of course they’re tired but Man Utd aren’t afforded the same excuse. Why? Injuries are part and parcel of football and it seems a bit small time to shrug out shoulders and say we’re tired after every away game.

Say we had a full squad to choose from today, what changes would we have made to the first team? Pope for Dubs, Botman for Lascelles (happened in first half) and Joelinton for Miley. Essentially one outfield change.

I’m not saying they’re not tired. They are. However, it’s being used as an excuse too easily. I highly doubt we’re doing much physical training. Rest, recovery and tactical preparation will likely be how we’re approaching it.

[coastferret]

Wait till after the cup game.

enjoy your match today?

[toptoon]

enjoy your match today?

I thought new manager bounce was supposed to be upwards?

[ex_pat_magpie]

I thought new manager bounce was supposed to be upwards?

They have to be different don't they. Upwards in reverse.

[toonviking]

Doesnt really matter, this season in long gone.

I dont give a **** about Europa league.

Better to save the money for the summer.

[toptoon]

enjoy your match today?

I thought new manager bounce was supposed to be upwards?

[toonviking]

I would think like this:

Winger (better than Almiron, at least Gordons level)

Striker (that also can be creative and better all round than Wilson)

CM (better than Longstaff, around Brunos level)

If that cant be found in a difficult january marked, then I would look for a CB, LB or GK that can compete for a starting place.

If we cant tick any of those boxes, there is no point of bringing in anyone, as there is nothing more to play for this season.

[Sclox]

I would think like this:

Winger (better than Almiron, at least Gordons level)

Striker (that also can be creative and better all round than Wilson)

CM (better than Longstaff, around Brunos level)

If that cant be found in a difficult january marked, then I would look for a CB, LB or GK that can compete for a starting place.

If we cant tick any of those boxes, there is no point of bringing in anyone, as there is nothing more to play for this season.

I read somewhere (cant remember where) Barella was a rumour. That would be decent.