midds

We just need to put Liverpool out of our thoughts, there's no point worrying about what they might do, if they win the last 5 then so be it. I think it's unlikely that they end up winning their last 9 in a row but it's obviously a possibility. We just need to focus on getting 7 points minimum from the 15 left. Leeds away should be a banker 3, Leicester will be a little tougher but we have shown we can now punish poor teams and they are absolutely one of those. That means getting a point from a fragile and under pressure Arsenal at home, a very good but knackered Brighton also at home and a Chelsea side that haven't looked remotely interested all season under the worst manager in the division on the final day when they've already packed their suitcases and their wives and kids are waiting in the car for them. We can't get 7 points from those 5 fixtures then we don't deserve it. I'm at 95%, regardless of what those cheating cunts do. It's not done but we're in the best form we've been in for more than a decade, scoring for fun, organised, motivated and united as a unit. This doesn't slip from here, the squad is buzzing and can be rotated, the bench is strong and now has genuine options and ASM and Longstaff are on the way back too. Fuck Liverpool, we're doing this.

And obviously it was Jota who got it. Fucker should have been in the showers. Spawny spawny cunts

Southampton XI looks fucking rank tbph

I get where you're coming from, had Forest won today then Everton would have been thinking 'well that's another club we can't catch'. But I honestly don't think Everton have got enough about them to drag themselves out of it this year - they might, but I've got no idea where they're going to get the 5 or 6 points they'll probably need. They can't score and they lose virtually every match away. They've got 3 away and 2 at home, 1 of which is to City.

Everton have zero momentum and are highly likely to pick any up in the next 4 games either I'd even argue that a relegation might even be beneficial in many aspects of actually sorting their club out in the long/medium term. What they're doing each season is clearly not working and won't change if they stay up, they need a complete reboot from root to branch and that's not happening without a relegation imo.

Think Everton are more than capable of getting themselves relegated this season tbh. I'm struggling to see where their next points are coming from, they're absolutely shocking.

Alexander Isak you are ridiculous. What a fucking player we've got man. Could develop into a unique talent in the game over the next 5 years, he's that good.

Still need another one to clinch this, they'll invariably nick one in the second half. Just keep playing football and clear shit out, nothing daft, play the percentages and it's 3 points for the taking. Just snuff it out and get the fuck out of here

Need to keep it a flowing football game rather than a succession of set pieces and a physical battle. They'll pack the CM and try and control things from there and I think we'll miss Joelinton in the thick of it tonight. We've got the quality to hurt them but the first 20 mins is vital away from home, shut those cunts up asap then score first. I think we'll edge it 2-1 but it won't be easy. Strong sense of after the lord mayor's show type of vibe tbph.

We'll just need to win the points to make the VAR bullshit irrelevant. Chelsea and Brighton losing means they'll be less of a threat. 4 wins and a draw and the shit Liverpool get from VAR means nothing

I'll be watching the Leeds game, the other 2 look fucking rank tbh

Let's hope he doesn't lose either of his first 2 games...

He's now our fulcrum, everything revolves around him and he's absolutely fucking superb. Just adding 2 or 3 more players to this side will see him being given even more time, space to dictate things in the most important area on the park. I'd honestly not swap him for another CM in the PL right now and I'm including KdB, Bruno is at the exact right club at the exact right time under the exact right manager to allow him and us to grow and develop. He's insanely good and makes everything look just so easy and effortless. One of the best players to play in black and white and I genuinely mean that.

I know the term 'franchise player' will get a lot of backs up but he really is the definition of a franchise player. He's the bloke we need to build the attack and midfield around for the next 8 years. Put 5 players around him to allow him to just smash the opposition. The lad has got the lot, he's quick, mint touch, technique and movement, confident, can drop deep and get involved, great vision and passes it into the net. Exceptional player and will get even better still

That's an excellent shout actually I think the difficulty of the Willock pass today shades it though. Willock's needed vision and ability to execute it and was a much more difficult pass imo. Cabaye's vision to play it was off the dial and it was excellent but it was a fairly simple pass to execute. both lush goals though. Isn't football brilliant

Genuinely struggling to think of a better Newcastle assist than Willock's today. Absolutely perfect pace and spin to bend it around the CB with the outside of your foot it virtually impossible. I'm probably missing a long, deep, early swinging Robert cross from 40 yards 20 years ago but can't remember one right now.

Napoli win it late on

Cuba isn't in South America

Ah right, gotcha

I stand corrected chap

2.21pm today was the exact moment the trajectories of both clubs intercepted each other. We're the antithesis of each other, one growing bigger and bigger, unified, motivated, hungry and ambitious. The other a complete shambles on and off the park. Players hate the manager, fans hate the players, manager hates the players and everyone hates Levy. They're a fucking mess and it'll take them years to sort themselves out. Even longer if Kane decides he's finally had enough. Today was a statement win and that first 25 minutes will have been noted in many many clubs. No-one, as far as I'm aware, has started a game like that and been 5 up after 22 minutes. Shit like today gets attention across the continent and we need to keep the foot on the gas and keep going for 3rd. Exceptional performance in a pivotal game. We're fucking back baby

Huge huge win today and that's a massive step towards CL next year. Now if we can just take 10 points from the 4 games against the dross at the bottom of the league we'll be almost out of sight. Arsenal will have watched that and be more than a little scared, Brighton will be absolutely fucked at that point and Chelsea haven't given a single fuck all season. If we finished 3rd would we go into pot 3?

Main concern is dodgy VAR, Son's pace and that cheating cunt's antics every match. Refs fall for it every time man.

Biggest game of the season - Isak has to start. He's our best attacking player and has to be on the pitch from the start, not sure where but he has to play as many minutes as possible in every game if he's fit.

I get Liverpool's run-in is nice but the idea of this Liverpool team winning 9 on the spin id a bit far-fetched tbh. Arsenal have won 7 in a row this season. City have won the last 6 but the probability of winning 9 off the spin must be tiny, even smaller still when you consider how flaky and inconsistent Liverpool have been this season. Sure, they could win them all but they will drop points in the next 8 fixtures. If they do win 9 or 10 off the spin to get 4th then you could argue they absolutely deserve it. 4 wins and a draw seals 4th for us imo and we're more than capable of that. They'll gain on us but we'll do it.