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At this stage, they've essentially completed their sportswashing. Particularly given it's meant to be Premier League only, I'd probably have half a dozen others ahead of him - Howe, Cooper, Di Zerbi etc. But the highest profile league winner is usually the default choice.

For real? What a list...

Not meaning to fuel any pile on on Maddison, but there's no player in the world I'd respect for going to Spurs over us in a straight fight right now, never mind him. What's your view on his character overall?

Good interview from him. He certainly speaks well.

If it wasn't strike-type condition then yes. If it was, different story, of course. There again, that's what immigration is there to fix. Often times, the 'necessary skills' they bring to our economy are desperation, low self regard and optimism, misplaced or otherwise. This isn't far right anti-immigrant rhetoric, for those who aren't aware. Look, bottom line, whether we like it or not is this: if I take a brain surgeon's family hostage and threaten to execute them all unless he successfully cleans a toilet, that toilet will be spotless. If I do the same thing to a toilet cleaner unless he successfully removes a brain tumor, the patient will most likely die. That's it, in a nutshell. I do take your point about the value of different jobs. For 5 minutes everyone was really struck by which workers were and weren't considered key workers during the covid lockdowns. Surprisingly, account managers, graphic designers and SEO specialists weren't included in the list. Then it became uncomfortable so it got forgotten.

Probably partly him expecting Ekitike and not expecting Isak? I think a right winger was the original plan also, but they couldn't get acceptable deals in that area - I doubt he was expecting Almiron to be quite such a revelation at the time.

Not to get multiple questions factually wrong, listen to answers, pursue interesting answers and not generally be as unctuous as humanly possible every time he's holding a microphone. He sounded like he was begging for a wedding reception invite at one point. He was at it again in Howe's press conference, it's as though he's starting to parody himself.

Another dogshit interview from Sixsmith.

Good post. The board would be daft not to tie themselves to his mast for at least the next two full seasons. The good news is I'm expecting them to do that. I don't think they're anywhere near as reactionary as some fear. Incidentally, it's likely any major managerial thoughts would go through Dan Ashworth anyhow. It's not just a case of someone having a bright idea in Jeddah unless they want to totally rip up the structure they've spent so much time and money instituting.

Supposedly he can but I've never seen evidence of it

Don't want to be churlish but have a feeling we'd have done better with Isak and ASM from the start tonight, with Wilson sliding on at 60 mins.

Certainly not bemoaning it. Just makes the achievement all the more incredible. Feel sure there would've been several games Joelinton and co. would've sat out with knocks and strains this season if we had anything like meaningful squad depth. They've given everything to the cause.

I keep saying it but we've had some real luck with injuries. If Willock's hammy went at Leeds instead of Brighton, and Joelinton broke down in the Brighton warm up rather than tonight, that alone could've hugely changed the outcome. It's why, even though our quality deserved it, we could never be too sure of seeing this over the line.

Looked rotten in a still, but I think it was rightly a yellow. There was no power in it, he was stopping himself. But if he hadn't regained just enough control before contact it would've been a leg snapper.

Been many of those throughout the season, plus penalty saves etc. A point dropped here, two points dropped there... He deserves as much credit as anyone.

Imagine how flat tonight would've been if he'd let that in. He's been gigantic for us this season.

There's a murdering coming.

And how often can anyone say that about a Right Back?

Forgot about that, weren't people wanting him kicked out of the club a few months ago?

So many that are great choices, each for being major contributors nevermind just for any kind of sentimental reasons. Went for Trippier, for reasons I've said in his thread previously. I'm not sure many other people's great seasons, e.g. Almiron's, would've happened without him. He's so key to how we've played and won, tactically and mentally. Pope was another strong shout on the under recognized side. I've lost count of how many points he's kept us in for this season when going behind would've made for a very different game. Too quickly forgotten. Joelinton is an excellent candidate but he got it last year so I'd rather spread the appreciation seeing as I wouldn't say he's streets ahead of everyone else.

Was just thinking about them the other day because of Liverpool's supporters coming up. Glad the kid is doing ok. Amid all this joy it's easy to forget some terrible things are going on. Would be nice to think the club have given a bit of quiet support in the background.

Steady on, we haven't finished worrying about Champion's League qualification yet. This story is supposed to launch on Tuesday.

Plus the London record. I do think Howe will happily have both those things as he'll believe in creating psychological landmarks for the squad. The best way to feel good about going to Chelsea in a probably more important fixture next season is to have already been in the same dressing room, at the same ground in front of the same supporters, and trashed them.

1) Money is nice and 2) let's do it anyway are the other main reasons

Fucking hell, it's easy to see how rumours start. If I didn't know how this conversation started I'd think he'd been linked away.