Pata

I think one reason for Guehi was that both him and Fab can play on the left too so he wouldn't be just a clear replacement for Schär. Our CB's would have been pretty versatile in case Botman isn't ready for a while and we would've finally had two good RCB's. Schär's fitness record has been huge for us in the past two seasons, knocks on wood.

Nice, thanks!

I don’t think anyone wants to replace Schär. He’s just getting older and his main back ups are Krafth and injured Lascelles. Missing out on Guehi might be a blessing if we instead go for someone with a lesser profile and cheaper price to maximise the last years of Schär. He better stay fit though.

Just noticed that UCL is now Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which is a bit shite. Takes away the shine from Europa League and Conference League and feels like too much football with the added day per gameweek and two additional gameweeks. That's 48 matches for group stage if you watch the earlier slot too. I could always not watch but meh, I want the old system back.

I love the confidence in stating these when you yourself said you had missed the first 15-20. I haven't watched it again but I felt like they scored from pretty much their first chance. We were dominating possession until the goal and were in complete control of the match without creating that much.

Hang on, we are playing our player of the season on the wrong side of the pitch?

11 months is soon?

These are the kind of decisions Bunce was brought in to help with. If anyone seriously thinks Eddie prefers playing Longstaff over Tonali (who he paid a lot of money for) in a vacuum, get help.

Tonali could easily play this but we are trying to avoid a similar injury crisis to last season WHICH WAS ALL HOWE'S FAULT FOR NOT ROTATING ENOUGH.

Because it was completely different iirc. Crystal Palace had played a cup game during our break and just seemed sharper. Managers have to talk a lot and some of it could be bullshit, no need to cling on to one comment.

He played 90 on Friday and 90 on Monday. I would obviously prefer to see Tonali over Longstaff but I can see why Longstaff starts today.

Give over man.

Nah.

I worded it badly, I'm not saying Tonali is fatigued but he has played a lot of football in a short time after a ten month break. This could easily be a Bunce suggestion too, we don't want Sandro to get injured when his body probably isn't used to playing a lot yet.

How do you explain Hall over Kelly then?

People are giving grief to Howe for last season's injury crisis but can't stand it when he tries to spread the fatigue. Tonali playing 180 minutes for Italy while Longstaff didn't play at all means playing Longstaff simply makes sense.

Wasn't even a foul, Timber had his foot on the ball ffs.

Caicedo just stopped playing before that shot.

I’ve always defended him but he’s been hilariously bad and soft in this game. That’s a shame but lovely move from Nkunku.

Think our performance was a lot better against Bournemouth compared to Chelsea.

Couldn't they have done that before Mitchell's interview?

Mine was ~£465 without breakfast straight from their site for 17th-22nd. Hope you didn't get fleeced.

Me and Brad are staying at Maldron which is a really good hotel.