saintant

Another set piece goal. Mind you - if you have a team full of midgets.

He might risk it if we win but he knows RM is always feisty after a defeat.

That lot down there never did know much about football - but on kite surfing, cycling and orienteering their knowledge knows no bounds.

I mean how many times does RM need to watch AA to realise he cannot play the number nine role.

I think if they both played the same amount of Minutes Ings would easily outscore Archer.

Think RM is worried that if he picks Onuachu and he scores a couple of goals he might be obliged to start him in a league game

Everton have put out a very weak line up as well. Don't think there will be much entertainment on show today 🙂

It does smack of picking his mates to be honest.

On which planet is Wood a better option than Edwards. Is there something wrong with RM's eyesight?

Didn't work or did I miss something? Thought we lost 3-0

Time to change the formation.

I think he's a combination of the two.

We'll probably not find that too arduous a task.

Thanks and another confirmation that RM is tactically clueless.

Thanks for your response and for agreeing with me that RM doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

Can anyone come up with an even half sensible explanation as to why RM's tactical genius tells him that it's a good idea to play BD wide left because I'm scratching my head on this one. Why loan out Edozie, who admittedly had his faults but at least had some trickery, to play BD wide left. We've also got Ryan Fraser so why didn't he start against Man Utd? For me it's another tactical blunder by RM and all it does is hang yet another player out to dry. Bonkers.

Whatever may have been said in private to RM matters not a jot. If he cannot get some wins on the board it is just a matter of time before the fan base will make their feelings known in no uncertain terms. If it reaches that stage his position will be untenable. This would be the same at any major club in the country.

I'm sure Russ is now thinking, 'Bloody hell, we've just lost 4 games on the bounce and now I'm without my talisman Captain Jack for three matches'

Is this true? If so it is one of the least forgivable things in football. There is absolutely zero excuse for our squad being less fit than any other team in the Premier League. I'm not sure lack of fitness is an issue and would be interested in other views.

The difference was, we'd already won 3 games - we didn't lose our first four games.

This was one of Alfie House's questions and RM belittled him by waffling about BD having played many more games which was presumably his way of justifying why he's scored 7 from 7 and we shouldn't expect the same from Archer because he's played less games. A complete nonsense of an answer.

I would defy anyone to describe this specific style of football - from what I see the one thing we don't have is any sort of shape or a defined style. It comes across as more off the cuff, make it up as you go.

Would love to see Ryan Fraser's reaction if Howe were to become our manager anytime soon - however, it's very unlikely to happen.

There were encouraging signs yesterday especially up until the penalty miss. TD is clearly a massive talent and he must start games and build up his minutes so that eventually he can last 90 minutes because he is crucial to the team. Fernandes and Big Les are two who can also play key parts if we are to make some sort of revival. Ross Stewart has finally got a few minutes under his belt and the hope must be that he can get stronger and stronger to provide a focal point through the centre. The defence remains an utter shambles not least because they are clearly not drilled in how to maintain a disciplined line to trap opponents offside - a fairly basic requirement at any level. The fact that we constantly have a stray defender behind the rest leaving opponents onside is a poor reflection on the coaching staff and something they need to drill into the players because quite frankly it's embarrassing to watch. I believe we have a squad good enough to start winning games but am not convinced RM is the coach for the job. Obviously we are only 4 games in but he continues to convince me that his very top level is in the Championship. I don't see him as capable of setting up the team in a formation that will get the best out of what he has to work with. Others will say give him more time but I don't see anything much changing because I just don't reckon he has the skill set to be a success in the Premier League but I accept that we're likely stuck with him.

RM needs to handle questions at the after match press conference following defeats with a lot more humility. Lots of people say how nice a guy he is yet he treats the press, who are only doing their job, like something he's just trodden in. He was particularly harsh on Alfie House and tried to belittle him presumably so he himself felt better after another defeat. Hopefully he'll improve because if he doesn't, with all the defeats coming his way, he's going to develop into a very angry manager.