Jack

Downes has been nothing but excellent for us, that’s very harsh

I’m not so sure. It’s obvious to most that the tactic that regularly got us in trouble and shipping shitloads of goals against Championship opposition, is getting us in even more trouble in the Premier League. Not sure how these are mistakes that shouldn’t have previously been learned from? He adjusted things for the playoffs which worked, reverting back to this aimless pissing about with it is just bizarre. But yeah hopefully he’ll see the light during the break

Agreed, 5 at the back is giving us more defending to do than we would have with 4 IMO, as we’ve got less control in midfield with a man less (not to mention the fannying around). I think a 4 with Downes and Big Les holding will be far more sound defensively and better chance of possession higher up the pitch rather than 500 passes across the back line then fucking it up

He’s going to be absolutely top drawer I reckon. Physically he’s a big lad for 18 as well. Get him tied down on a new contract before giving him too many minutes to impress please

So fucking obvious. We shipped far too many goals last season playing like this, it was never going to work in the Prem against a better press

Absolutely fucking embarrassing. Fuck off Russ and your shit philosophy

We should make that the big flag for next season. Trademark it

Yep, he’s always so off the pace. Surely Fernandez is going to have his spot long term

Really not sure about that. Unchanged outfield from that absolute dross last weekend. Sure a few on the bench won’t be impressed

U shape

Yeah, we just need our attacking players in and around the box, with some support. Nothing like we did against Forest where they clearly had orders to hug the touchlines

Agreed. No point at all in playing a back 3/5 if we’re going to have BBD and Arma on the touchlines getting in the way. Russ needs to decide if it’s going to be Archer or BDD leading the line up top and get some support around them

Because Russ thinks we can stay up implementing the ‘U’ formation without a 9 or 10? Only half joking

Yeah he was pretty ineffective at Championship level too so definitely needs to go and get games.

Yeah, over to Russ to actually have a go in games now

We were screaming for a back 4 and extra man in midfield at HT, then Sugawara gets hooked and Captain Jack to LB for a bit, THB off, Edozie on who’s far worse than SAA. BDD obviously had instructions to loiter on the touchline offering fuck all as there’s no other reason to be there. The first time he strayed inside we actually created something. Russ must see loads in training that we don’t

Tactically that was an absolute shambles. Gaping hole where you’re supposed to have a 9 and or 10 for almost the whole game until Archer came on. It looked like we were trying to get Aribo or Smallbone into that most advanced position in possession but it never happened. Didn’t even have a proper go and the subs were plain bizarre

Lazy fucker. Good riddance

Unreal business to get that money for him. I’m not sure I agree there’s much of a player in there, but his attitude/work rate stinks so not much chance of seeing it even if there is.

Isn’t Alcaraz likely to be sold? And Lallana likely to be injured. It’s hopefully Dibling’s breakthrough season but he didn’t do that in the Championship so very unproven

I’m not against the philosophy overall, I’m against trying to implement it without the personnel able to deliver it. GK has been such a blind spot for the manager and board for years now, all the fans can see it, but they’ve chosen to ignore it for whatever reason. It’s bizarre.

As long as it’s going wrong and gifting opposition goals, it’ll be described as “dicking about at the back”, and rightly so.

We served up an absolute turd of a performance last time we played these at home, lost 1-0 and I’m not sure there was even a shot on target. Hoping for better this time

Is that you, Russ? 🥸