Dan Gleebals

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.

Plenty of head roon with Tino, and Howe will get him there. Defensively he is right up there, work on the final 3rd and him and Hall are going to be unreal.

And Arsenal (and even the comentators last nigt) are questioning us. Ignore.

Sorry but all the Arsenal talk needs to stop. They are a nothing club. He is adored here, by fans and players and is an integral part of a team that looks like it will only get better. He will as well. Yes we need to win something, yes we need CL and yes we need to invest - all very important in matching a player of his ambitions and talent. He knows he is in a very good team, and with a few additions over the next season or two, and we are challenging for the top - he could be part of that history. He is a humble guy, and intelligent, so he gets that. I really feel like we should double his wages, add a year or two on his contract and build the whole club and team around him. He is that good.

Agree, long gone are our days of paying money for their rejects.

Agree, you don't double (or more) match/stadium revenue from adding just supporter seats. It will be a mix of a whole load of things - additiobnal seats, corporate, pre/post match hospitality for all, and a stadium that can be used for multiple different events. I cannot see that being achieved at SJP, without significant cost and having to move out of the ground for a season or two! They have achieved that at Madrid for example, but they did not have the constraints we do.

Not so sure. We have murphy and Barnes can play there as well. I think we will wait until the summer personally, and take and income as a positive for this years accounts. We will then have more spending power in the summer, especially if we know we have European football. Only exception might be a new keeper, if Dubravka goes.

With the players they have out, and the ones we have. Hard to say tonight which way this goes. I think whilst Howe would never sit back, I think we might be a bit more reserved and invite them forward a bit for the counter. Think he will trust Longstaff more with this tactically, as we have the pace upfront. Willock to come on later in the game.

Sorry, I meant the premier league

They have already given up on the league!

Plus there a few out of contract in the summer so we need to see how that plays out as well.

If thats true, I dont really mind another window of no spend, as that would open up the summer which is way better to do business in. My only caution would be that if another player (RW) could come in, would that strengthen our case for 5th or above this season as that really would make a massive difference on a number of levels. Tough one. Not losing anyone and getting in some high ceiling youth would work for me, especially when you see how quickly tino and hall have come on.

Liverpool is the only team I always feel like we will grt fuck all. Not this lot though. If we have top 5 ambitions, which we should have, we have to be winning games like this. Massive week or so ahead!

I think most teams from around 12th think they can qualify for CL, but get your point. It's a very tight league this season.

He is already miles ahead of everyone else and was easily our best player last night. I can see one of the big clubs coming in for his soon, ahead of all our other purples. He really is starting to look a incredible player, and only still only 20! Burn has done well too. The rest have had moments, but generally been shite, and inconsistent.

6-0 please. Hattrick for Isak and Gordon, and a clean sheet for Pope. Would do wonders for my fantasy score. Apart from that, a strong performance and 3 points. Then only 2 points off second. Got to win this and palace game, then finally get three points off LFC.

Theirs to lose now IMO, as much as I hate saying it.