Balj

I'm going to be listing 2 in J2 - can't make these stupid midweek ko times.

Just listed 2 in J2 on resale. KO too late for travel back for us.

Danny Ward is pass blind - he’s an utter liability.

Lovely finish.

I think that was a decent goal and not shocking defending for once - the shocking defending came in the lead up to the corner.

So predictable

Awful decision - what’s the problem of mourning and still watching sport. We can do two things at the same time ffs.

The formation change and joke of a half-time substitution set us up to lose - we all knew this, all except BR.

At least Tielemans has shown up today.

I agree. It’s a season to stay up and consolidate finances. Nothing to be gained from incurring termination costs for manager and back room chasing unlikely league position - different (unlikely) if they walk of course.

He wanted out, we got a decent transfer profit - best of luck to him. I wish he hadn't downed tools as that does lack class but overall decent business - we've presumably pre-planned additions (if any) already so lets just get on with it.

I think the Club needs to see a therapist - we are clearly going through an existential malaise that's transferring to us fans and the players.... I loved the front foot, counter-attacking style we had but it can't be recreated with BR (as its not his philosophy) and lets be frank we don't have the defensive solidity to absorb pressure nor the pace we once had (JV included) to play that way. We're left trying to execute BR possession based football without the quality to create chances - I don't know the stats but we must be one of the lowest chances created teams in the league whilst conceding the most. Most of our time in possession is pretty pointless tbh. I'm not sure how we move on this season given FFP constraints, the wantaways and the players we are stuck with on long/expensive contracts. I genuinely have concerns for this season and hope we finish mid-table whilst having a plan for next season and beyond sorting the squad and backroom out in the meantime. I've not been part of the BR out chorus but the start to this season has been pretty dispiriting - the Brentford and Southampton goals we conceded were no surprise to anyone who was there. I was having a good morning until I came across this thread!!!

Agree with this - I think we are in a micro Barcelona type situation.

Arrived this morning

Head says time to go. Yes he's a legend and his shot stopping is great - his distribution is ok (not as good or bad as many would have you believe). However we have a systemic problem at set pieces for which he is a major contributor and the saving on wages would enable us to reinvest in a younger keeper for the next few years. He's no spring chicken now even by keeper standards. I'm just disappointed its happening so late in the day as we would have wanted a tested replacement in - I know Henderson and Pope have been bemoaned at being lost out on but the wages the Clubs they went to are paying may have been a bit rich for us. Newcastle can blow anyone out the water if they want a player - the same as Chelsea did when Roman A came in. For those saying he's earned the right to leave on his own terms - no he hasn't and no player does. He's a club asset and has been rewarded extremely well - the club, whilst in contract, has the right and duty to do what's right for the club. He's earned his status as a legend and will always be fondly remembered - that's what he has earned and will retain. Having said that the club should and I am sure will play fair in considering offers for him i.e. not sticking out for an unreasonable transfer fee.

Now't for me and my son yet

i agree with this - I've found (very unlike 10 years ago) it's quite normal for a group of friends/work colleagues to comprise drinkers and non-drinkers. As its no big deal the preachy can't preach and those who can't drink because of religion or health or choice are less apologetic about it. Makes alcohol less the centre of a get together as opposed to before when it was the main reason. It makes it more inclusive too as previously those who did not drink or only did so in moderation no longer have to make excuses and leave early or worse still not go out at all in a group. We've become more European despite Brexit ironically - it was always a surprise when I lived in Italy that some people on a table had a coffee whilst others had a glass of wine or a beer.

Good luck mate - I actually quite like substack (if you ignore the mad conspiracy stuff on there!). Good way of producing thoughtful pieces for people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say. I'll sign up.

Best wishes mate - it's like a treadmill and finding a way off is hard. Look for support and as mentioned above a meeting may work for you - I have a pretty 'screw you' mindset so when I was drinking it was fixed on carrying on despite the obvious downsides and now I'm not I have an equal 'screw you' attitude to drinking. My family still drink (responsibly) and we have alcohol in the house but I've honestly got no desire to pick it up anymore. I do miss it on a night/meal out or on special occasions like weddings, big footy games etc but I've found it surprising how many non-drinkers there are in the World and also how many people can just have one or two and remain sober so not having any is no big deal. Good luck.

I went through the relocation process last year and it was a pain getting through on the phone but once through they were super helpful. Other clubs do this online and let you swap in real time - not sure why we don't, it's not difficult tech.

Yeah same here - just a bit more flexibility with a card. I've already got train pass, train tickets, credit card etc etc on phone and it's just a faff opening phone/app at the gate.

I did this last year and ticket office were really helpful on the relocation. Yes, I renewed first.

No complaints here - Club seems to have gone through a good thought process and got it right.

I think Kasper is the keeper he always was - great at shot stopping with excellent reactions. I think the requirements of a modern keeper have changed and unfortunately I don't think you would start with a Kasper in a premier league team seeking European football. Man U have the same issue with De Gea - De Gea would not be picked up by a team wanting to win the Champions League or a World Cup (he doesn't get near the Spain team these days). For Kasper it's not a question of form - getting a better number 2 isn't going to spur him on to be a different type of keeper. It may keep him on his toes at what he's already good at. The ability to read the play in front of him - his starting position can still be quite deep for me to intercept early and from there distribute with accuracy. The ability to organise the defence - we've been pulled apart at the back too many times and I would have liked him to organise them more. The ability to dominate the area - I don't need to point this out but this has 2 added knock-on's. First added pressure on defenders (particularly when we are not blessed with great cover at centre back or height in general) and second it leads us to make bad recruitment decisions (Vestergaard must have been signed partly for size as opposed to ability to make up for our lack of presence in the box). A more dominant keeper would allow defenders to do their main job rather than have to deal with the added pressure of knowing they do not have a keeper who will come and claim consistently. We may also be able to attract better defenders - at the moment defenders who we attract know they have added pressure at set pieces/crosses. I know he has been more exposed this season because of our injuries in defence (Amartey has genuinely done his best but he's a squad player) and Cags having an erratic one even when fit but I think even with our first choice defence these issues exist. Kasper is a wonderful keeper (and without doubt is a terrific human being) but he's not a keeper any team looking to finish/challenge for Europe would have in their team - if he were available for transfer today he would be picked up by a big club as a back up, a team in Europe (FC Copenhagen as mentioned above would be the type) in a lower league or a mid-table team here. It gives me no joy to come to this view and I'm sure the recruitment team are looking at this area - and no Ward is not the answer.

Just feeling a bit hacked off but yeah I'll end up hauling my ass to the ground on Wednesday in all probability. I'm far from a fair weather fan (been going since early 70's) but I genuinely feel we end the season on a downward trajectory with no clear sign of a way back up. I guess that's what summer's are for though so BR in/out I look forward to a rebuild and genuine reset,