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It really is decades. Can't help dreading that next Sunday turns into another debacle like Partizan Belgrade, or even Anderlecht. No reason to think it will, but the scars remain . . .

We have to be looking to move him on. His injury record is poor and he certainly isn't performing to a level where he's even a good backup option from the bench. We could still probably get 15-20 million for him, which will add to the funds from Almiron and Kelly (hopefully Longstaff also). With the PSR room we have and hopefully Champions League revenue, we could be in a decent position to greatly improve the squad.

Started alright for 5 - 10 mins but then faded badly. Not surprising really as it's only his 2nd start this season they said and he's only been getting the odd 15 mins off the bench mostly. But it's been clear ever since last season that the body is done and there isn't a champions league chasing premier quality player left in there. Praying that we can get Isak available for next week. If we can't then I don't think Wilson starting is the best alternative.

Mistake aside he wasnt our worst player. But as mentioned in the Barnes thread, I get in theory why Howe prefers him to start left in a game like this from a defensive view point. However I don't think I saw a great deal of protection for Tino today and in this formation it shouldn't really be as necessary and he has Burn in close proximity to support. I certainly don't get why we can't atleast give Barnes 10 mins or so on his preferred side, especially when we're losing and chasing the game. Just seems so odd that every time Gordon has came on recently and now again that he's starting games, Barnes is always shifted to right. I assume because Howe thinks Barnes is better than Gordon on the right, but I don't feel because Gordon is shitter on the right should be a reason to move our most dangerous left winger out of position.

He looked faster and sharper in his movements when he came on than recently, but his technique is always lacking. Was a really poor effort when he chopped on to his left. Should be the easy answer to slot in for Joelinton on that left side next week of we want to go back to the 433, but the trust is gone with Willock now. I don't know if we can rely on him in such an important game anymore.

The problem with playing Isak and even Joelinton or Trippier if there's a slim chance they can play, is how much will they be able to give if they aren't 100%? We know we can carry Isak as we have done it for weeks and weeks now but maybe anymore would be too risky. Also the possibility one or all breakdown early in the game and then you break rhythm but also waste subs for later. Will be interesting how much Eddie is willing to risk or if he prefers lesser players who can give him 100%.

Wish he'd buried that chance first half. Was an easier chance than the Rice one for them, but he does seem to have an odd ball striking technique and on this occasion it was abit of a tame effort that needed more power and direction. Also thought he delayed too long to pass to Barnes when Osula flicked the reverse pass to him. But yeah overall can't fault the effort he was winning tackles and trying to make things happen for us. Have confidence he won't let us throw away a strong season finish with only one game to go. He'll be leading by example next week and trying to get us over the line.

You can see how the decades of toil and frustration have scarred so many of us. We have a scenario that we would have all jumped at months ago, a scenario that didn't seem possible a few years ago, and there are so many who are scared shitless of a loss. We control our destiny. Simple. We need to beat a team we should be beating at home. We do that, we are in the Champions League with a third-placed finish after winning a domestic cup. Incredible stuff. We just need to grab it.

PSR obviously also, that's why it's important we get champions league football.

Was a classic case today of needing to score when you are on top. We didn't score in that period in the first half and you could feel the game slipping away from us. Then they come out 2nd half and dominate the early goings and if we had survived that period we very well might have got a point or better but Gordon made a mistake and Rice does what unfortunately good teams will do to us in the champions league, he smashes a worldie. We made one mistake and paid for it, they made multiple in the first half and got away with it.

His showing today should be a wake up call for Howe, if the rumours were right that they’re considering an extension.

He can't be given a new contract. Always be remembered as a good level striker for the club, but he offers virtually nothing now. No doubt his injuries have majorly taken their toll, but the time has come.

Havent read the thread so im probably doing a giggs, but this kind of points to the injury he’s been managing during the last few months - explaining his drop off. still, an off the pace isak is still head and shoulders above anyone else up front that we have. hope he can give us one last game. but please, get it fixed in the summer.

I saw an interview with Bruno the other day with him talking about being knackered and playing through injuries. Not Howe’s fault - a lot of this is the remaining hangover of the previous ownership - and I completely agree, it’s something which it is reasonable to expect to be fixed if we sign three or four good players in the summer

Yeah been a great season so far (and hopefully even better next Sunday), but we need to improve our away form against teams in the top half of the table. Also as has been mentioned elsewhere, there is a number of times when our second half performance has dropped. Hopefully we can rectify this in the summer, as the standard of the majority of players we have on the bench this season, are not of the required level to change games when needed.

Obviously would have loved to have finished second, have CL boxed off, and gone into next weekend with a degree of freedom - but - these high pressure, high reward games, laced with jeopardy is it what it’s all about. The place will be jumping if we get it done.

I didn’t realise that - that needs work next season

Everyone relax, its fucking Everton at home on the final day of the season with them having fuck all to play for. We win, our players will show up.

There’s a massive gulf between ‘past his best’ and unable to meaningfully contribute. He gets away with murder on here, frankly - though less so today admittedly. When was the last time our number 9 went an entire season without scoring a league goal? Has it ever happened? Either way it’s an absolute running pisstake.

Yes, there’s nothing I’d like to see more than arguably the world’s best centre forward moved out of position

No, asskicking of the highest order at home engineered by Eddie Howe, who has proven himself over and over again.

The lad is out of form, and I’m sure he’ll be better again next season - but he’s never looked remotely like a good finisher to me. He’s not an ‘elite’ player, but you don’t need XI elite players to be challenging at the top end of the table. He’s a really good footballer though and an obvious asset to the club. I’d like to see Barnes back at LW vs Everton tbh.

Standards, we need to think like a big club. There's no comparison between CL and Europa League IMO.

The best season in mosts living memory, and still people are getting all uptight about what european competition we will be playing next season

We need the crowd to be bouncing for this match, hopefully wor flags have something big planned.