HitchinFox

We won't catch Wolves. Neither will Ipswich. The only way we will stay up is to somehow miraculously finish above Ipswich, while someone somewhere decides to grow some genitals and relegates Man City re. the 115 charges. Neither will happen, of course. But it's our only hope.

"Amnager van Nistroy" has potential as a user name on here.

Tell me that you only read the topic headline and didn't read the post, without telling me that you only read the topic headline and not the post.

RE +

I get the sentiment entirely. However. There is still a small part of me that gets excited a day before a game and allows me to foolishly believe we might just string a couple of results together and somehow have half a chance of survival. It's a case of allowing the heart to rule the brain. Yesterday was a perfect example. As the day went on, I convinced myself that we would play well under the lights, Ruud would have Frank's number tactically and we'd somehow steal it. Also thought that Bournemouth would inflict Wolves with a four-goal spanking and all of a sudden we'd have half a chance. As I walked in last night, I looked at the starting lineups and was hopeful. In fact, I convinced myself that I "just knew" this was the night that the second Great Escape would begin. As it turns out, we were the ones getting spanked and Wolves won. As I said, it's purely a case of allowing the heart to have a say in things. I detest Rudkin and the way the club is being run. I have no time for the happy clappers – and I've told a few so in person. Including last night, when someone came up with the "but we were League One not so long ago" line in the pub when discussing the protest. Fact is my brain has already resigned to the inevitable and is already looking forward to next season and: a) Getting rid of some dead wood b) Seeing some of our youth players being given a chance c) Actually scoring some goals and winning at least a few games d) Maybe, just maybe, Rudkin losing his job. In fact, ALL his jobs he holds with KP. Sod him. He's a twunt. But my heart still overrules my brain 24 hours before a game and I find myself "knowing" we will pull something off. This will no doubt happen until it's mathematically impossible for us to stay up.

Certain people are more likely to organise a protest over this than the way our club is being run.

"Waist of Time" has really tickled me. Sounds like a clothing brand that caters for middle-aged, rotund people.

There was a strong argument that they were definitely up there with the best, before Vichai died. Now? Miles off. Mixture of incompetence and in-fighting across every aspect of KP's businesses.

Yeah, I think he will start, as Justin might struggle to reach full pace wearing his Robocop boot. Might improve his touch, mind.

3mins in and I'd have already subbed Ayew off, if I were Ruud. His decision-making and lack of IQ annoys me.

The quote or your penis?

Hear, hear. Also, I know he absolutely hates it when people misspell his name, so yes, p**s off Clif Ginetta.

Literally the first thing I thought when I saw this. Let's all point at the finger at him when the Gambling Five-O turn up.

Cliff is an embarrassment. It's pure laziness – or lack of research – if any journo still goes to him for comment. Luckily, most no longer bother.

Couldn't agree more. I fear VAR has inadvertently given "assistant referees" – as they love to be called – a licence to be awful at their jobs.

Woyo was dreadful with the ball. Off the ball and when defending he wasn't too bad, actually. Could be a confidence thing and he might not usually be as bad as he was. Still new to the team etc.

British referees are now easily the worst among the top European footballing countries. The one positive thing about the Premier League was that, for about 10 years, England built up the reputation of being THE place for referee training and there was a real sense of English refs being the best. Problem is – as very often is the case with this country – that we stagnated and believed our own hype. Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and even France and Portugal now have much, much better quality of officiating. From referees and linesmen to the way they handle VAR.

Thanks pal. That is a statement. I'd never castigate anyone for going – and I obviously still hope we'll get a result and go through (although fat chance) – but I'm (rightly or wrongly) glad the numbers are low.

Do we know how many we're taking up there tonight? As in fans. To Old Trafford. Not how many painful goals we'll manage to concede.

Well, look at you with your genuinely useful insight and your clear way of presenting it. Mods, have a word.

c49ad890-67fa-437d-8d29-a442b6c40371 (1).mp4 He's going nowhere. Loving life, is our Jon.

Did you just wake up from a 3,5-year coma?

So do washing machines.

I'd try Ward up front as the bloke has a nack of creating goals from nothing.