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I did not see this angle coming.

Yeah, I think that's the way to see it on this occasion.

Eales came out with the 'better on the grass' stuff beforehand, yes. It seemed pretty calculated - at least as much as any of his 'canny' statements about PSR rules to start the media conversation off about them, anyhow. As I've said previously, it's plausible Eddie could already see writing on the wall and wanted to set out his position in advance to avoid having his reputation and career trashed on someone else's altar.

The uncoached part remains a mystery to me, given what went before. Somewhat ironically I trace it back to our win at Fulham in the FA Cup last season. There have been a number of times since where I've thought "great, we've got players back and a solid week/fortnight of prep in us - can't wait to see what we do", and we've looked worse than we did beforehand.

Know what you mean. I feel frustrated as this was a big season for us and Howe - one in which he was going to be judged for better or for worse - but due to the disruption at board level it feels like he's had one arm tied behind his back. Anything that happens is tainted. I'm not gunshy about criticising him in the slightest, but I feel I want to be biased in his favour to counterbalance what I think's going to happen if he's less than perfect this season.

Can't disagree with most of what's being said. Thought Howe was telling him to get ready for a rocket as they came off, if anything.

Wait till we meet Villa... That's why I'm so keen we pick up points against the crappier teams now.

With power comes responsibility.

Funny to see him trying to pretend to be positive and professional.

Would be pretty happy seeing Trippier and Kelly for this one, with a view to possibly the same against Man City the following week.

To be honest it's pretty clear evidence someone somewhere is underperforming at the club.

Of course I liked him, he was one of the top left wingers in Europe last season. So I'm definitely disinclined to disturb that while he's still playing his way back into form and - I suspect - stabilizing his mindset after all the disruption over the summer. Whereas Barnes looks hungry to make the best of every opportunity put in front of him, is two footed enough to try something different, and has a playing style that seems to dovetail well with Livramento's give and go wingplay.

No, my footballing instinct.

I very rarely watch the pundits now as they're generally so off-putting. But I've been impressed with Sturridge whenever I've seen him. Seems like a rare professional. But overall it's a mystery to me why there are so many awful ones. A lot of the lowlights have been mentioned. Jim Beglin is another disaster zone when he pops up somewhere.

Think my bias is towards them both switching sides, with Barnes biased towards the right, as Kaka is saying. Barnes has the fire in him to make it work at the moment, while Gordon looks like he's still building up a head of steam. Plus Barnes seems to marry well with Livramento, assuming he's overall going to be our main RB.

On the recent Gordon-Livramento interview, Gordon confirmed LW is his preferred position. Albeit 'happy to play anywhere' as they all say.

Considering what he could've been wearing, I'm relieved.

Saudi would be golden but I've given up hope of getting anything out of there. If it happens, it happens. Agree on the surface about the profiles, but I can see the reality working out differently. Part of the problem is most of the serious clubs want to buy younger than 28+ too.

It's the reality of the situation, as you say.

Good question. Hard to judge in the current market, but possibly big bucks. Is it right he's got about 18 months left on his contract? I don't want him to go, but if he gets back to himself as said above, I could see him being our next sacrificial lamb. Which I'm not happy about, to be clear.

I appreciate this isn't what you lads are saying, but it's worth bearing in mind Trippier didn't look like a world beater at Livramento's age, either. Think he'd just been signed for Burnley by a Mr Howe, in fact. It's certainly the case that out of the two of them, Hall is the natural heir though.

To be fair I guess he's thinking in terms of the next main transfer window.

Same as before, should absolutely be aiming for a win. We're plenty capable.

That's exactly the way to look at it. This was a difference-maker of a result.

Agreed. Not that I wanted him sold, or don't appreciate him - far from it - but logically once Longstaff is gone the next CM to be looking at improving upon would be him or Willock - and Willock is looking better with every minute he doesn't play...