Dan Gleebals

Well said. We have a very good first 11 (when they are alll fit) and a couple on the bench that merrit their place. Otherwise the squad does not reflect the position we are in. You have to give Howe, his team and the players a lot of credit for that. We have basically performed at a high level for over 2 seasons, with very little investment in the squad for the last 3 windows. I think people forget where we were, and how far we have come. We are asking a lot of these players right now, and we should acknowledge that. Irrespective of the result on Sunday, we have done well to get to another final. Win or lose, it is progress. If the players can somehow get to the end of the season and finish in Europe, that is a massive achievement. Everyone at the club knows we have to invest now, and I just hope that they have some creative ideas in the pipeline as the squad needs a massive refresh and new faces. If we can achieve that, we can really push on.

On a side note, is Eales on the road to recovery and staying? Following his health announcement, I barely heard a word about his replacement search.

Fuck rolling over to this lot. We go into this expecting a heavy defeat, which is what we will get. Not saying we will win, but we should be determined to get a draw at least. That said, I am struggling to understand how we go on a mega run, and then fuck up the last few games. Strange.

I live here as well. Do we know each other?

24/25 - 6 (1) 23/24 - 26 (10) 22/23 - 36 (18) Appearances (goals) for us over the last 3 years. That is a year-on-year decline. Even if he manages to play every remaining game this season (16 currently), it would still be his lowest year since joining, and I cannot see him doing it (staying fit). If he can, it would take him to 22 games, and on that basis, I would probably consider a one-year extension, provided we get an RW who can genuinely cover right and hold a line up top if required.

Hope that started today, although it will probably have the opposite effect now.

What a game this is for us to finally put our shit record against them to bed. It won't be easy, but a win against this lot would mean way more than any other team in the league. Hopefully,we have learnt from the last final, and have all the players available.

Based on the last game and their threat from those corners and set pieces, that might not be a bad shout. Not played that shape for ages though, so not sure how that will play out.

Big game. 3 points and no injuries, before the big one.

Only Tonali can really say he had a good day today. The rest were way off the mark. Fair play to them, they totally did us at our own game today, 4 great finishes as well. Hopefully a blip today. Few harsh words, reset and go again.

I wonder how much impact James Bunce has had on our style of play. We had to address the injuries and on the whole, they seem to be improving. We are still a very aggressive team, but we definately manage that better now it seems. Having Tonali in his role, seems to have calmed the intensity a little but we can still turn it on!

I lumped a few quid on him at 66-1 for PFA player for the year only a week ago. Price is down to 14-1 to 20-1 now. Salar odds on but if he keeps going like this, that might be a nice price. Again, he was on a different level last night and it feels like it is only just the start for him, not sure he really has a ceiling, and Howe will keep pushing him.

Apparently Kraft is mega fit, thats not the issue. Just waiting for it to heal, so he can take impact.

No way Bruno plays, really no need. Then again, you could say no need to play big Joe or Tonali - but that would mean youth players coming in. We cannot afford to not take this seriously - cups success would be amazing, however it comes. Two would be even better.

WTF. Its a month away for a start, so anything could happen between now and then. Don't mind them being favourites, that suits us, and puts more pressure on them - which is perfect.