[theo_luddite]

Bugger

[ToonTerrier]

Disappointing that. They just looked too good for us today, might’ve been a different story without Arnautovic though.

So, realistically we need 16 points from the next 10 games now...

[Amelia Chaffinch]

You said that before, theo. I suppose it's as good a word aa any.

[jjamez]

I'm not sure there was much of a plan

[theo_luddite]

I thought I'd posted it 30 seconds into the 2nd half, but when I looked after the game it was still waiting to be posted. I take it back, we still can't handle their physical game.

---

Or a blind lino who was claiming Tommy Smith played their lad onside for their 3rd. That goal didn't get shown on the big screen for a reason.

[Lord Snooty]

We need to do the simple things better. Movement off the ball isn't good enough, causing team mates to dither on the ball. We're a team that likes to keep the ball so we're not gonna just pump it long when there's nothing on. So as a consequence, players get robbed and away go the opposition on another break.

---

And guess who's first on Match of the Day tonight.

[sloppyattheback]

I didnt see such a substandard performance coming after what should have been 10 days recovering and freshening up after the busy xmas period, 3 points in 5 games now looking fairly desperate.

Lolley; what was he doing but that's always possible when we play out and every opponent knows we do, thankfully he was able to redeem himself with a screamer to equalise but shows the wafer thin quality of the squad when he's starting due to Big Col being crocked.

2nd half just passed us by, they stepped up and were clinical but the changes were far too late by Waggers and we had too many (Mooy, Ince, Smith, Lolley) just not at it and we cant carry that.

A game not to lose today becomes a game we have to win at Stoke now.

[ritchiebaby]

No panic, lads. We're still 4 points off the relegation zone (6 points gap on Christmas Day, so not much worse), better off than Newcastle and Brighton and, possibly crucially, our goals deficit is 4 better than 3rd bottom Stoke. The whole bottom 2/3rds of the league is close to the relegation zone - 9th placed Everton are only 7 points clear. In fact it's so tight I'd say the target could be as low as 36 points.

We just need to be as good as or better than the teams below us, the ones above us are relatively unimportant. The really important point is to learn from today and move on quickly. No fancy stuff please - in defence, when it doubt, kick it out!!! We like to play the pressing game, but don't seem to have the composure to combat it when used against us. And we seem to have attacking players who can play well for 30 minutes every 3 games - just not quite good enough as few goals leads to little confidence among them, often choosing the wrong option.

But as I say, there's nothing that can't be sorted with a great deal of application and concentration. Let the teams below us worry about us, because we are good enough to stay out of trouble.

UTT

[jjamez]

Gotta question what smith was doing on their third. He played him onside and stood and waves for offside

[JUSTASILLYOLDGIT]

Get the feeling somebody told Lossl it was actually David Silva disguised as Joe Lolley in a Town shirt. Can't think of any other reason why any sane man would even vaguely consider making that pass!