Well, it’s football but not as we know it! After a dominant but toothless display from Chelsea, Isaac Hayden scored an injury time winner to hand Bruce’s battlers an unlikely 3 points – sending us 7 points clear of the drop zone.
How on earth have we pulled that one off?!? Brilliant, brilliant defending, an inch-perfect cross from Allan Saint Maximin and a bit of luck. Get in!!!
After a horrendous festive period, which features bad results, poor performances and no end of injury issues, the last week has got us right back on track. A gutsy point at Wolves that stopped the rot, a convincing win against Rochdale and an unlikely win against a Chelsea side who’ll be sick to their collective stomach to have lost that game.
There was a buzz of excitement before the game at the return of Allan Saint Maximin to the line up, but to honest the first half wasn’t much to write home about at all.
As expected Chelsea had so much of the ball, we couldn’t string 3 passes together and of course we suffered an injury after just 15 minutes. Jetro Willems seemed to clash knees with Callum Hudson-Odoi in what was a fairly innocuous looking challenge but Willems reaction was one of a serious injury. He left the pitch on a stretcher, head in hands and at the time of writing this there is no further news as to how badly the Dutchman is hurt. Here’s hoping it isn’t too serious.
Chelsea’s dominance down their right hand side was a little surprising considering how exposed Emil Krafth was when Almiron tucked in from the right to try and influence the game from a more central position.
There were fleeting moments of promise from us. Joelinton crashed a header off the bar after a great ball in from Fernandez and, after some great footwork, Allan Saint Maximin hit a long range effort that was so wild it nearly cleared the stands. There was an onslaught from Chelsea at the end of the half but overall we defended manfully. Despite Dubravka having to make a couple of saves – including one good stop with his feet to deny Kante – it was 0-0 at the break without any real scares.
The second half was more of the same to be honest. Ciaran Clark made several excellent tackles, Lascelles and Fernandez were outstanding and the pretty awful Krafth was finally put out of his (and my) misery on 71 mins, with Hayden switching to RWB and Sean Longstaff coming on to try and give us a foothold in midfield.
As in the first half though – despite the excellence of our defence – and all the sweat and toil, our front three were largely anonymous. This was possible ASM’s quietest game to date in a black and white shirt, and while Joelinton won a few headers and battled away, he didn’t threaten. Then his chance came, but he skewed a volley horribly wide on 88 minutes after the Longstaff boys had started a nice move and ASM had brought down a nice ball from Almiron. After that it felt like we’d have to settle for a 0-0 at best – but you can never write these lads off!
Joelinton chased down a seemingly lost cause in the 94th minute to force a corner. Matt Ritchie’s first effort was very poor but the clearance fell to Allan Saint Maximin, who whipped an incredible ball back into the box, and Hayden pounced.
What a 3 points!
We move up to 29 points and 7 clear of the bottom three after a great day of results for Newcastle United.
Up next, an improving Everton at Goodison but, we don’t need to worry about them. Another decent result is a real possibility.
HTFL!!!
Well that was sweet wasn’t it 🙂 love a late winner.
kimtoon(Quote)
Was happy with the point, so to nick all 3 at the death is brilliant. Thought we played pretty well in the main and agree – solid defence again.
I feel so sorry for Williems though, he knew immediately and it looks like it could be a big one. Devastating really coz he was getting his career back on track with us this season it seemed.
Fingers crossed it’s not as bad as it looked ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
My hope is that Bruce will concentrate on improving our style of play once we are safe. He mentioned getting to 40 points ASAP yesterday and also said we aren’t nice to watch. At least he knows. But we really have to evolve. We can’t be playing like we do every week. I suppose that depends on the players we have. But I do feel sorry for Joelinton. He has no support and gets very little scraps to feed off. We need to change if he’s to have a chance I reckon.
Think we need three more wins. It’s very possible before the Middle of March given the games we have.
Stuart79(Quote)
Really good defensive play from us yesterday, motm could be any of our defenders or even Dubs who gave another good account of himself. Joelinton’s first half header which struck the bar was so unlucky, there’s not a lot more the lad could of done there in fairness.
It’s not pretty football that’s for sure, yet there is something enjoyable about a good solid defensive display.
4 more wins or 3 and a couple of draws should do it for us now.
Hope that Jetro isn’t as bad as feared, lads been very good so far. Just a freaky collision, no ones fault really, very sad for him because as Sharpy said,he was just getting himself back on track with us.
kimtoon(Quote)
I suppose that means we probably won’t sign Willems now if he’s out for the season. Are we back in the market for yet another left back? It took us ten years to replace Enrique!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I agree with all of that mate.
I think that’s why I like Bruce (though know he’s not the best manager we could have got) he’s honest – ‘I don’t like it, but it seems what we have to do with what we’ve got’. I think it’s honesty without being disrespectful to his players – clearly, because they are putting a shift in for him & seem to have a real togetherness this season.
We basically lost our final third in the summer – our front line has needed replacing with very little time to forge a new one over the pre season. That affects the whole team really.
Bruce will need to get rid of players as well as bring in – but that’s not easy. There’s players like Colback and Saivet still there that Rafa couldn’t get rid of either. So getting the squad right takes time.
But like Stu said, 3 wins, 40 plus points ASAP and look to the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looking at our fixtures, there is every chance we could have those 40pts or more by 4th April.
With that in mind, and the fact we have Oxford in the 4th round of the FA Cup, I hope and do think Bruce will play the cup games as well.
If we have 40pts by April, that will be every bit as big an achievement as Rafa getting 10th – in my opinion, bigger based on all the bad feeling towards him, the protests, the bedding in a new front line and the injuries (which may or may not be on Bruce or his medical staff).
Everyone expected a really tough season and relegation was looming – so I hope those against Bruce are humble enough to acknowledge what he’d have achieved. I’m not saying become happy to have him – but at least give credit where it would be due
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Christmas period was pretty horrendous but if you look at the last month, including yesterday’s fortuitous win we have done OK considering the fixtures. We have rode our luck to an extent but we had Palace on Dec 21 and through yesterday had 7 pints from 6 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Went to The Grand Canyon for a few days. I was waiting for the plane home and following the game on The Guardian minute by minute report. The last thing that happened before we took off and the signal ended was the Hayden goal!
I had recorded the game and watched when I got home. Yes, we were lucky but Chelsea did pretty much nothing all game. That save by Dubravka where Ritchie ended up clearing it was as much the difference as the Hayden goal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What is it about the media and Man Utd? Roy Keane saying it wouldn’t be a shock of Man Utd beat Liverpool “Because it’s Man Utd, it should never be a shock”! What a load of BS! It would be a massive shock if they won because Liverpool are good And are unbeaten in about 59 games and Man Utd are average. Another of his gems was this “If you’re a striker at Man Utd you need to score goals in big games”. Why’s that Roy? Man Utd don’t participate in big games anymore. They haven’t got 7 years ffs! Unless he counts a derby as a big game. Well if that’s the case every team in the country have big games and players who need to score.
This is Man Utd of the last 7 years – average team and and badly run club. Get use to it and they don’t have a Devine right to win or compete to win.
Stuart79(Quote)
Olly, you give the boycotters a soapbox to air their views on here. Can I write an alternative view, and will you publish it? I am absolutely sick of the moaners who have taken over certain blogs and the Chronicle comments pages. They shout down anybody with a different opinion and spread negativity.
None of us were happy with Bruce’s appointment but we get on with it like we have for most of our time supporting NUFC. I have said before that Bruce will get us relegated without big reinforcements. But not this year.
Apart from brief Keegan and Robson peiods, the club has been in turmoil for as long as I have been a supporter – 50 years – so why should Ashley’s tenure be any different. Now we have the maroon and blue scarves. The green and gold scarves are back at Man U and I saw many of those when they played a friendly in Chicago like 12 years ago. Obertan was playing, so that tells you how long ago. That protest against the owners worked didn’t it!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – it’s p!ssing me off on behalf of Leicester and Burnley fans. Their games kicks off in 15mins and they are still banging on about Lpool v Man Utd … and it’s the same chat as EVERY single time ?.
They haven’t spoken about the early game at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart: I wish they would shift some of these ex-players off the pundit sofa. Too many ex-Man U and Liverpool. I know that they were the better players in their day but it just gets so boring with their partisan waffle. I suppose Sky want the “passion” that that brings when Liverpool play Man U but we need to end the duopoly. Even Robbie Savage is ex-Man U and Stan Collymore ex-Liverpool.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They have 6 people covering the Liverpool/Man U game in the US and none are ex-players of those teams. Would I prefer the partisan drama of Souness, Keane, GNev and Carra for this game? Probably. My beef is that there are so many of them for every other fckn game and if their team is involved that is all they talk about. 90% Man U or Liverpool, 10% on the opposition. If Liverpool play well it is effusive praise, if they are off the boil it is a funeral dirge. It is such one dimensional coverage and you know it will be when you put Souness and Keane on the couch.
I suppose Shearer is equally NUFC biased but he is one person. You can’t count the Waddler because he likes to see the negative in NUFC. There are just so many of these ex-Man U and Liverpool that it gets very tedious.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Burnley have quietly got themselves into trouble. C’mon Leicester.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not really seeing the logic of people saying we have to shift players before we get players in, even on loan. We have until February 5th to name the 25 man squad and can leave players like Ki or Elliot off it to make room for a couple of additions. Some talk about the wage bill but there is only 5 months left until a few of the unwanted players like Colback and Ki leave. In the scheme of things, paying a couple of million in salary for unwanted and unused players shouldn’t matter. If you add them all up it probably comes to half an Alexis Sanchez.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – coz that’s the tight ship Ashley has mate. He won’t let a couple of million ride for a few months – that’s business over football.
But on this occasion I think we should be doing everything we can to shift those players to free up the wage bill a bit.
We want to bring a winger and CF in (and possibly a LB now) – their wages added to the deadwood you’d pay without a squad place is largely a problem when you consider we also want/need to tie important players down to new contracts.
The likes of Colback, Ki, Saivet and Elliott are probably all on around £30-35k a week. So shifting well over £100k off the wage bill would help with getting the Longstaffs tied down to new deals – as I think those 2 in particular would be in for hefty pay rises.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m pretty sure we already have a full squad of 25 players, so we will have to get rid of the likes of Ki and Muto and a few others from that 25 if we are to bring in new players.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Sharpy: 100k for 6 months is 2.5 million. Not chickenfeed, but not make or break for a club with an almost 200 million pound turnover. About the same cost as a mistake signing like Lazaar. A lot less than Jacob Murphy is ending up costing us.
I think Rafa said that if you get 70% of your transfers correct then you are doing very well. Having dead wood and paying their wages is the cost of doing business in football. Its no different than injured players. In fact, Colback’s injury is why we can’t shift him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
DT: you can name a new squad in January. So we could leave the likes of Elliot and Ki out in order to make room for additions.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Muto and Ki would just be rotting in the reserves if their squad numbers are taken away, but you can create space for others by doing this.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Let’s do a pie in the sky scenario. Let’s say we bring in this Inter player and Bowen from Hull. We then have to create space in the squad. We could axe Elliot completely as his contract expires in the summer and make the U21 keeper the 3rd keeper. He is U21 so doesn’t count against the 25 man squad. Then we could axe Ki who is also out of contract in the summer and would not see any playing time anyway with the Longstaff’s now ahead of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What you have to do is pay the axed players wages of probably a combined 50k a week, or 1.25 million for 5 months. I honestly do not see why this is a big deal as having Lejeune out with his knee injury probably cost us more than this monetarily.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – it’s not me you have to convince mate.
You mention an article to Olly. I’ve said many times on here that I don’t think Ashley is the devil sent to destroy us (and been accused of being an Ashley admirer for it). But hate him or tolerate him – there is no doubting his tight grip on the purse strings is what’s held us back under his tenure. I imagine his response would be ‘is it your £2.5m’.
I was checking and the Longstaff boys are both on less than a grand a week at the moment.
Ki is on £40k, Gayle is on £40k – get this – Muto = £54k ?. Colback and Saivet around £30k and Elliott £25k.
That’s nearly £11.5m in wages a year on players who aren’t contributing. Ashley is known as a ruthless, greedy businessman – but any businessman worth their salt would want to address that.
I want him to address that mate. Because the likes of Sunderland didn’t address those things and that’s why they find themselves where they are.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: of the ones you named Saivet is the only problem as he has a long term contract. Muto is here until 2022 but we could probably shift him.
We could get money for Gayle, probably 8 million now given his age. So he is not a problem.
Ki and Elliot are out of contract in the summer.
None of these players impact NUFC finances THAT much.
We can also shift Murphy and Atsu in the summer at a loss. But that;s the way football works.
This happens at every club. Man U have Pogba injured and he costs more than all of the players you named put together. Same with Sanchez being sat on he bench before the loaned him to Inter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Ashley has 2 problems: He tries to run NUFC along the lines of his tat discount shops. This might be changing as he gets more into to high end retail. He has said he wants NUFC to run as a self-contained and self-sustaining business, and he looks like he may be sticking to his word this time.
The other problem is who he hired/trusted. He hired chancers and cowboys like Jiminez, Wise and Lliambas and worse, listened to them. Then he hired people like Keegan and Shearer who genuinely love our club. This created a conflict with the chancers having Ashley’s ear and undermining the club legends.
I really think that Carr and Charnley had the club’s’best interests at heart. They were also a bit selfish when they made their power grab. Their big mistake was Schteve though. That squad they put together was more than good enough to stay up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I don’t know where we are in terms of our wage cap mate?! ??♂️
If we are up there, which I suspect we will be, then it doesn’t give much room to manoeuvre.
Like I say, the Longstaffs are both under a grand a week at the moment. If I were Sean – Ki is getting £40k and Shelvey is on £70k and negotiating a new deal. I reckon my agent would be looking to get me the £40k. If I were Matty, I’d be wanting around half that with a potential to increase if I continue to get more first team football.
So there’s a potential £60k increase to our current wage bill – without bringing any newbies in at all.
Add to that a new winger, striker and potentially LB and that could be a further £100k easy.
£160k to the wage bill is a lot for our club mate. I know you might say, that’s less than what Pogba gets a week – but you can’t compare NUFC with MUFC – they are different leagues when it comes to money.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I agree, and don’t really mind that we are looking to be a self-supporting business.
I disagree that Carr and Charnley were the clubs best interest though. I think he had a very strict recruitment process in place and Carr was happy to work in those restrictions – I’m not saying he did a bad job.
Charnley was all about having his man in place. I don’t believe any other chairman worth their salt would put up with Ashley’s nonsense. I’m a similar manner to Bruce, Charnley has his dream job – those employees don’t rock the boat too much too often.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: it is really hard to tell where NUFC are with money because they delay the accounts so often. However, there is a very reliable source on PL finances called Swiss Ramble that had us 3rd or 4th bottom in terms of PL payroll. These numbers were about a year old and we have added a few players since like St Mac and Joe. Despite their fees, I don’t see these two cracking the 100k a week mark and are probably in Shelvey territory.
My gut feeling is that we are now where we want to be at about 55% to 60% of turnover/revenue and that the players leaving in the summer will free up salary for a couple of quality recruits now or in the summer. If Ashley is willing to spend the transfer fees.
I reckon we are in a very healthy salary situation. And, as I said, it is the nature of football that there will be wasted money on wages, be it through injuries or transfer mistakes. It is the same for all clubs. You just can’t let it get out of control like at Sunderland, OR GET RELEGATED. That is the key. We are a sustainable PL club but are screwed if we drop to The Championship, even with the parachute payments.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
First blood to Pool
1.0
kimtoon(Quote)
80 mil for McGuire 🙂 I can jump higher than him!
Kimtoon. I am hoping for a rout. The Scousers are annoying but the Mancs have been so arrogant for so long that they need a comeuppance. 5 – nil would do for me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pool well on top here
VAR CHALKS OFF 2nd goal for Pool
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric , me too
kimtoon(Quote)
Kmtoon: can you tell me what the studio pundits say. I want to hear how miserable Keane is, although currently only 1-0 but are playing shyte.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Christ offside 3rd goal
kimtoon(Quote)
gary nev is doing ok actually Eric
kimtoon(Quote)
he’s co commentating
kimtoon(Quote)
There is a weakness in this Liverpool team and of all people OGS has spotted it. They over-elaborate at the back when pressed. Most teams are too scared to press them but Man U have obviously been set up to go after them there.
Well done Ole. Liverpool could still be 4 up though 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ooh misskick should of scored
kimtoon(Quote)
Should be like 5-2
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am a bit worried now that Solskaer will get sacked at the end of the season. Without Rashford I can see Man U finishing about 7th or 8th. That might convince even their most “class of 92” and “spirit of 99” fans that Ole is not good enough – which he isn’t. I was hoping their pain would be prolonged and OGS would continue at the wheel.
All is not lost though as Ed Woodward is still in charge and he may double down on his ridiculous appointment. The funny thing is that all of the papers were calling for it when OGS went on that surge when he first took over. It is like they have collective/selective amnesia now and that never happened. It is like all of their Journo’s are Bobby Ewing in the shower (Kimtoon is probably the only one who will get that reference).
Anyway, Man U are going nowhere with OGS in charge so I hope it continues for a long as possible. And with Martial as their main striker they will be as toothless as NUFC were in the first half of this season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are spoiled for choice now at centre half, even with Dummett being out. We are also OK for wing backs with the return of Ritchie. We don’t know how Willems is but we have cover. If we actually get a couple of players coming in in this window we could even push on.
I don’t understand what Bruce is on about saying we need 6 transfer windows to change style. Is he saying that he would replace all of the current forwards and midfielders? Are the Longstaffs, Hayden, St Max, Almiron not good enough and not in his plans? That makes absolutely no sense because it is half the team and that is before any additions in the next couple of weeks.
I mean, who are we going to get to supplant he current defenders and goalie? When you look at Arsenal and Spurs you see how hard it is to find good defenders at a reasonable price. And Man U have spent 10 years and shed loans of money looking for replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic.
I repeat, what is Brucie on about with the 6 transfer windows talk? Getting in his excuses in early for our mind-numbingly boring style of play and saying it will continue? Despite Saturday’s win, we were still incredibly difficult to watch, content to snuff out Chelsea’s huffing and puffing and content to feed off scraps as we have done most of the season. We have a couple of flair players in St Max and Almiron, so why should we be content to just defend for our lives for 6 transfer windows?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If the Fat Man will release funds and Bruce turns out to be just slightly better than his very mediocre record suggests we have a chance to push some of the traditional top 6 in our games. I am not saying we will finish in the top 6, I am saying we can do more than just defend against Arsenal, Spurs and Man U. All of their squads are full of holes and will take at least 3 transfer windows to fix. We shouldn’t be scared of playing them anymore and we certainly shouldn’t be scared of playing the teams around us like Palace or S’ton.
Again, what is Brucie on about saying he needs 6 transfer windows to get out of this ultra defensive style. He says he wants to press, but cannot. Did it take Sheffield Utd 6 transfer windows to press? Or S’ton or even Brighton who play good football but don’t have a goal scorer. Sorry Brucie, you are making no sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The results have been OK but I have got to the point where I don’t really care if we are not shown live and I catch up on the highlight programs. This stultifying defensive football, that included most of the last 2 years under Rafa, is hard to get excited about. If Brucie is saying I can look forward to another 3 years of this (6 transfer windows) then he can count me out. I will do a personal boycott. Not because of Ashley but because of boring football.
We didn’t even have a corner on Saturday until the 93rd minute.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is it part of Bruce’s masterplan to not be able to string more than 2 passes together in midfield? I am happy to have the 29 points and feel Bruce has done as well as could be expected but I am not happy with his negativity about where we are going and what we can expect. Unless, as I said, he is just getting his excuses in early. Maybe the Fat Man said there is no money and Bruce is covering for him 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Bruce thinks it will take 6 transfer windows to allow him to change the way we play! Jesus Christ! Have we go to watch this for three more years? I don’t think so. We will lose more fans playing like this.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart mate. You should read my last few posts.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Coz Stuart, if Bruce is serious about 6 transfer windows then I am not sure if I could take this defensive **** show for that long. A means to an end until summer, but as I said above Brighton and Sheffield managed to change their style of play so why can’t we when we have a better squad? Brighton might pay for being too aggressive but it will be as much about not having someone to finish the moves as the playing style. Maybe Potter should be more pragmatic but also Brucie should not be coming out with **** about 6 transfer windows.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
well to me Max has just shown how poor our medical team is,they told him he was ready to play over a week before “he” had to tell them he wasnt right they said he was he said no
icedog(Quote)
So Dummett and Jetro out for the rest of the season.
It’s good to have Ritchie back, but those 2 being out is a problem for the left side.
Do we try and get someone in or, with Aaron’s back from his loan, do we use him as back to Ritchie for the rest of this season. I know it’s not idea, but is other positions more urgent?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – The question is will the club priorities left back instead of attacking positions we need or will they address all three positions? Personally I would like to see a winger on loan with view to buy, a left back on loan on the same basis and buy a striker.
Although I read in the Chronicle that Bentaleb is having a medical. Is centre midfield a priority?
Stuart79(Quote)
Bentaleb…? ???. We really need another midfielder don’t we? ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
DT: I think we do really need another midfielder. Hayden is the only consistent central and he might have to fill in at fullback. Matty is only19 and has played what, 4 games. Sean is not the player from last season. Maybe it is confidence , maybe the injury is on his mind? Ki is off. Shelvey keeps picking up injuries and you really need to set the team up around him so if he is off the whole team is off.
I think we are very light in the midfield.
I can’t remember much about Bentalab though. His goals and assists look OK and Schalke paid quite a bit for him. You never know with these high press managers why a player didn’t fit. He may not have had the legs to run and run and run for 90 minutes in a Pochetino system. Remember Brendan was against Andy Carroll from day 1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Apparently he was Schalke’s best player but has had a falling out.
Stuart79(Quote)
Bentaleb looks like very low risk to NUFC whatever his problems were with the Shalke hierarchy. Same with Lazaro. Both players previously were bought for about 20 million so there is probably some quality and we have the ability to look before we buy, similar to Jetro.
I read Bentaleb is decent from set pieces. We have been woeful, especially Longstaff. Shelvey has picked up a bit but his record shows he usually smashes them over the bar. Ritchie is also hit and miss at corners. I always wondered why these players couldn’t take a free kick or corner as their passing is usually accurate.
Lazaro can be addition by addition AND subtraction. He pushes Atsu down the pecking order who is showing that he is not a consistent PL player. 1 decent game in 4 is not enough and he should be a sub at best and sold for whatever we can get for him in the summer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I agree with you there Eric. One more midfielder is fine with me. Hayden looks our best right back which leaves only 3 and Shelvey looked so slow and lethargic against Chelsea. The Longstaffs were terrific at Wolves and will only get better as the games come. So yes I’d say Bentaleb is a good idea as he can also play No 10.
Bad news on Jetro though.
georgio(Quote)
Stuart: can you think of any strikers we could get? llorente is 34 but seems about all that we can hope for.
Bowen would be mad to sign a new deal at Hull with PL teams after him. The knock seems to be his lack of pace but we already have that. More important to us are quick feet and a quick footballing mind at the moment.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wonder if Olly can get in touch with his Spurs mate who did the opposition view feature. I have to admit I didn’t take much notice of him at Spurs and he was young when he got into their team. I don’t trust the youtube scouting so will not be making judgements based on them for him or for Lazaro. Remember the clips for Luque and Rivierre?
At least Nickson and his crew appear to watch the players live many times before they commit. Whole match video is OK as well, NOT just youtube highlights. Not sure what they saw watching in Joelinton 24 times but it is early yet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I will say this again. We can create space for new players without selling as we have the ability to name a completely new squad any time before Feb 5. It would require us to drop players but there are 2 obvious candidates in Ki and Elliot, or even sell Darlow as his contract is up in the summer. Obviously, we have tp keep one of Elliot or Darlow but space could be created by moving one of them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Forgot about Dummett and Willems. They are out for the season so do not need squad numbers. We can easily create space for up to 4 new additions.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Funny how a lucky win can put a different complexion on how NUFC stand. Even the injuries to Willems and Dummett look like they can be overcome with 3 centre backs now recovered and Ritchie fit.
Funny how a lucky win changes things. Lets get another against Everton. Any way, any how. But then let’s open up a bit and play some better football. We have a decent squad, I don’t care what self seving spin Rafa and Brucie put on it.
We should not be having 35% possession against the bottom half. And why should we be scared of Man U, Spurs and Arsenal in their current states?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe I am being pedantic but the whole bloody British media and press are using the term “Champions Elect” incorrectly when they refer to Liverpool. They have been elected nothing. The term comes from the US President being elected but having to wait 2 months before taking up office. It is decided, just waiting for the inauguration. Nothing has been decided until Liverpool have enough points to be Champions. They have been elected to nothing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good that The Chronic tell us that 3 of Everton’s most important players are out tomorrow. Ricarlison, Sigurdsson and Iwobi. Takes away a lot of their goal threat and set piece delivery.
But never mind. Wor Lee and the new Intern Cairan Kelly can spend that extra half hour in the break room and not let us know pertinent facts about a game that is about 24 hours away.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just read Ryder’s prediction and he thinks it will be a draw. Doesn’t give any reasons at all for his conclusion. I suppose we just have to trust Wor Lee. No mention of Everton’s missing players or ours for that matter. Great “article” Lee. He mentions that Everton have a new Manager and they eeked out a victory at SJP and that is it. My dog is a better writer than Lee and gives me more information. He barks out morse code dots and dashes and I write it down for him – one bark for dot 2 for dash.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I reckon we could win tomorrow but that’s because Everton are rank and missing their biggest threats. It will be another boring watch so I will be watching “Power”
Stuart79(Quote)
Do we rest any of the Centre Backs tomorrow? Everybody seems to be praising them for Saturday but remember Schar was being touted as our best player before his injury and same for Lejeune last year. I would rest Shelvey as I dont think he is right and then we could do with the distribution skills of Schar or Lejeune. Probably Schar so Lejeune can have an easier time against Oxford and get over his mistakes. Depending on fitness, I would go:
Dubravka
Manquillo/Yedln Schar Lascelles Clark Ritchie
Hayden Matty Longstaff
Almiron Joelinton St Max
St Max might be a risk coming off injury but we can rest him against Oxford. Do we have any choice but to play Joe even though he must be knackered after playing almost every minute recently.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even without the loans that are in the offing, you cannot tell me that that is not a team that HAS to play ultra-defensive. Using wing-backs can also be an attacking formation. It doesn’t have to be a bank of 5 at the back and then another 4 between the 18 yard box and half way line as we have been playing.
We may not have the best personnel but we do not have the worst. Both Rafa and Brucie are making this out to be a relegation squad when it is not. It is probably 12-16 as it stands and a couple of additions and we should be playing more adventurous football. Not holding my breath though as the noises from Bruce are that we have a very under-par squad and we must play defensive to survive. SPIN. Just like from Rafa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Luke Edwards reports NUFC have bid 12 million plus add-ons for Bowen. That’s a dead duck then Sharpy.
I have never seen the lad play but his stats look good. And just because Hull want 20 mil plus that doesn’t mean he is worth that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – sorry mate I got busy this afternoon.
I agree with your 3 priority positions mate, but have no issue with Bentalab coming in. He’s a good player and his fee is peanuts if we choose to buy him.
To be fair, Bruce has said all January that we need to address our lack of goals, so I think that remains his priority.
If we had a sniff at getting him, I’d put the money into Bowen.
I think it’s most likely we will bring in Lazaro on loan though.
If he could then get a CF in as well, I think that would be a decent window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Callum Roberts has joined Notts County from Blyth. Still think we should have kept him. More effective than Atsu.
Groucho(Quote)
Here’s one for Kimtoon. West Ham are screwed. Their next 5 Fixtures:
Leicester A
Liverpool H
Brighton H
Man City A
Liverpool A
They currently are 1 point above the drop. What’s the betting they are at least 3 points below the line in 5 games time?
They have Wrinkly Dave as Manager as well. He saved them once but he also took the Mackems down and was talking about relegation there after like the 2nd game.
For all the Ashley haters here’s a fact. Sullivan and Gold took over West Ham exactly 10 years go when they were 16th. Today they are errrr…. 16th. They also brought with them the odious Karren Brady.
They moved to a new stadium that the fans hate but it makes their owners money unless they get relegated. There is a clause in the lease that the owners cannot sell for a certain period, or they owe the council a lot of money. I think it is for 5 year but they are basically getting the ground for free. What’s the betting that WHam are on the block after that time.
I think there is probably a 50/50 chance of relegation because the next 5 games could lead to a death spiral. Moyes has form for that as well as form for turning things around so I think it is a toss up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Groucho: you would play the kit-man ahead of Atsu.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really do think West Ham could get dragged into relegation. I thought Burnley might as well but they got really lucky this weekend. A bit like us. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – sounds about right. It’s not even starting bid they would negotiate from – more insulting then bartering that.
I like the lad mate. £20m is a risk for NUFC, but it’s probably his value in today’s market and what I’ve seen of him I’d go for it.
I’d have gone £15m with a choice of loans from Atsu, or one of the fringe players – negotiate from there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lee Dixon keeps asking on American TV why the subs are not in their kit when called upon. He is an ex-player and I guess in his day the players were ready. But seriously, why are they seen pulling on their jersey and putting on shin-pads? He said modern shin pads weigh about 6 ounces and you don’t even know they are there. So why not be ready?
Eric Sykes(Quote)