Rich

Waiting 14 minutes for a Metro on a match day. I'm back alright.

Get in.

Yes, in the form of an interest free £120m loan that is never being paid back. If he doesn't get all of his money back and then some I'll show me arse in Fenwicks window.

Diame covers both centre mid and #10 so has a bit of an edge there IMO. Interested to see how Rafa plays it, left Gamez out as he was nowhere near the team last season while Mbemba eventually did alright and can cover the fullback slots in a jam. Not sure Lascelles is anywhere near 100% yet, so seems a risk to have him as the only centre back, but can you leave the captain out altogether? Would love Gayle to sneak in, but can't see it.

Or a dolt. Speaking to a bloke yesterday who reckons we haven't bought enough players because Rafa won't spend the money. Couldn't leave that conversation quick enough.

Neesy

What do we reckon for the team and bench then? Eliiot; Manquillo, Lejeune, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Mitrovic (4-2-3-1) Darlow, Lascelles, Mbemba, Diame, Aarons, Murphy, Gayle Gamez, Merino and De Jong to miss the 18.

Noice

I'd love that, but also happy with Lejeune to Atsu all day long, hopefully it works.

Perez off Mitro I reckon. Ritchie and maybe Atsu on the flanks. Cannot think of more defensive minded winger who would be in instead of Atsu. Think we'll just look to keep the ball and control the game tomorrow. Think that'd be massively ambitious against Spurs' press. Expecting to see us quite compact and direct. Either way just want us to be committed and competitive. Get amongst them.

Really enjoyed that. Good to hear that he did actually think we could aim to trouble the "top" teams this season too and that Martin Hardy isn't just a big lying bastard.

Attacked the ball well.

Just need a goal at Southampton to win an almighty £5.

Go on Daryl.

He literally doesn't have any other options though, does he? Remy? Our bench prediction for them today was Caballero, Christensen, Pasalic, Scott, Boga, Musonda and Remy.

Quite funny that a club with a squad of such size (technically speaking) can name a bench like that for the first weekend with only 5 senior players missing.

Not in the 18, he's at least third choice centre midfielder there currently. Oh right. Why did they buy him? Just to fill the albino quota, I think. Seriously, for competition I'd guess. He only cost about £8m.

Not in the 18, he's at least third choice centre midfielder there currently.

Not even in the team, Joel Ward preferred to him...

Mignolet. Every time. How many years now?

Urgh. Didn't want Watford picking up anything here.

Lots of attacking injuries, guess they want to keep him until those have cleared.

Even more questionable.

Decision to not go with the Mane, Firmino and Salah triangle looking instantly questionable. De Bruyne, Jesus and Fabregas better do the business.

Get James Milner on this pitch.