Cronky

I wasn't expecting Miley or Hall to start. Bournemouth are quite a physical, athletic side so it's a very bold move. I was expecting Trippier on the left and Tino on the right. On reflection, Miley probably is the best option in the circumstances. The old adage about being old enough if you're good enough is about to be given a real test. Go for it, lad.

Spurs look like winners here. Against Chelsea, even when they lost Maddison and Van der Ven and were down to 9 men, they still managed to look good on the ball. They've got good players who move the ball quickly and confidently.

Do it. We need a third striker. I'm not sure of his best position, but he looks more of a striker than Gordon. And besides, when we play Gordon as a striker, we lose that ability he shows from a wide position.

What I remember about him is that, for a big, strong lad, he was very quick. He was an exceptional athlete and sound enough technically to have had a great career. The basics were there, but as soon as he'd made it to a certain level and he'd secured that contract, there was no need to put in any further effort, as far as he was concerned. If you stop going forward, you go backwards, and it looks like that journey never stopped. The sad thing for him is that he'll never know how good he could have been.

He was a major talent, I do believe that. But the minute he got that 20K a week contract, he was a lost cause.

Pre VAR, I don't think those handballs would be given, mainly because it would be difficult for the officials to spot with any certainty in real time. You're bound to get more handballs in the penalty area, with the crowded space and frenetic movement, but those two factors also make them difficult to see. On the other hand, I think those handballs would probably be given in other areas of the pitch, if they were spotted, and the player had gained an advantage. So there's a bit of a problem. We may have to accept that there's bound to be a bit of inconsistency in the way the law is applied.

A fatal flaw, if so. I had started to wonder about that. He's a bit chunky for a keeper.

The way it's worked out Man U could still easily get through - their chances are far better than ours. They seemed to be writing them off last night. They're only a point behind second place, and they have two games left. They could easily get something from Gala, who I don't think are the greatest, and then they're at home to Bayern, who are already through and who won't field a full strength side.

True enough, but football can be peculiar. Until the second goal went in, we were never completely out of it, and if that header by Joelinton had gone in...... hmmm... It would have been interesting to see how things would have gone from there.

They won a lot of the physical challenges and were technically better. Disappointing but it's early days in our development.

A big problem with the way in which VAR is being assessed is that the views of players and ex-players (ie pundits and managers) are getting too much attention. If they do understand the principle of a 'clear and obvious error', they often seem to forget it when they start piping up. And so many decisions are a matter of opinion. Thinking about it, a lot of pundits not only don't seem to have experience of refereeing, their grasp of the rules seems quite shaky. The skill-set required for a ref is different from that of a player. The idea that things would be improved if more ex-professional players became refs is fanciful. Becoming a top-class ref entails a long apprenticeship and involves a mindset that is quite different from the fiery competitor. There are some honourable exceptions here, notably our guy and Postecoglou, and I know that managers are under pressure, but really they should button it more. In the long run, I don't think they're doing their teams any good - it ends up as a distraction and a downer.

That's interesting, because I haven't seen him shout many instructions from the touchline, like managers tend to do. I've often wondered whether that behaviour is more to do with the manager's anxiety rather than any great help to the players. What Ange might lose in terms of individual coaching, he might gain in terms of giving his players some confidence, and not distracting them. Staying positive with 9 men was impressive, and you could have easily come away with something. I did wonder though whether a more together side than Chelsea would have closed the game out a bit sooner, with that high line. Sterling messed up a few situations, Mudryk looked a bag of nerves, and there was generally a lack of leadership. They look like a side that's only just been put together, despite their individual talents.

That Spurs performance showed the value of staying positive no matter what. They also look quite a big side. They were winning a lot of the 50-50 balls and outmuscled Chelsea. Postecoglou has got them in a good place mentally. They'll be there or thereabouts.

To their credit, Spurs are still a threat. They need to cut out the reckless defending though.

I'm surprised that Arsenal have made a statement backing Arteta. I can understand managers getting het up in the immediate aftermath of a game, but clubs need to set a better example all round. And above all else, they're simply wrong. Allowing the goal wasn't the outrage that they're suggesting.

Who are they talking about?

Yes, the challenge on Gabriel is the most dodgy part of the goal. The problem is that refs do allow players to use their arms in aerial challenges providing it doesn't go too far. If they were stricter, they'd be giving a foul every time. Joe's challenge seems to be half way between pushing Gabriel out of the way, and using his arms to hamper him from jumping. The former is usually penalised, the latter often isn't. On top of that there is no clear and obvious definition of what constitutes a 'clear and obvious' error. Subjectivity comes into it. I've changed my mind about the Havertz challenge. He wasn't in control of it at all, and it should have been red. Joelinton had sneakily clouted him just before, and he lost it, but that's no excuse.

His work rate and stamina is phenomenal, and he's added a bit of nous to his game. Eddie obviously feels he can play him for the full 90 twice a week, so I hope that's not going to lead to problems later on. For that reason, I'm quite happy to see him miss out on England squads. He can do with a break. Besides, there's a lot of competition for those wide spots with England.

I'd have given him MOTM too, and I was quite surprised when he and Gordon were interviewed at the end, and he didn't get it. Yet again, brilliant man management from Eddie. It can't be easy to demote your captain to the bench, but both parties handled it well, and when Eddie needed Jamal, he stepped up to the plate. By way of contrast, Ten Haag made Maguire feel that he was no longer wanted. Now that he needs him, you can see the consequences.

Please note, Mikel - VAR is not there to decide whether it's a goal. It's there to check whether any 'clear and obvious errors' have been made. And how do you expect to control your players if you can't control yourself? Saka wasn't nearly as effective as I thought he would be. Is he carrying an injury? They miss Odegaard - I was pleased to see his absence from the team sheet. What a game. This is the best of times.

His feet were on the ground when he connected. That's what's saved him.

Eddie needs to get hold of the mood within the team and I'm confident he'll calm things down. They look the more likely to score though.

I'm hoping the FA investigation is just a formality. If he continued to bet after joining us, then surely that's part of the same offence, and he shouldn't be punished twice for the same crime.

Anyone that conquered Voldemort has to be a good bet.

Who is the Hog?