Cronky

It may just be that you get a bonus payment if you’re on the bench and Eddie didn’t want to give it to young lads who were nowhere near the first team squad. Also six academy lads might have diluted the honour given to the three that made it.

He had the reputation of a real innovator and probably should have had an even better career as a manager. Very popular with his players apparently, but said by one chairman to have a flibbertygibbert mindset. One way or the other, a real character.

He impressed me at Everton, so I wasn’t one of the doubters, but he’s starting to exceed my expectations. He’s using his brain more and making better decisions. The scouse scally is really maturing.

Yeah, it was a great finish. The ball came at him with pace, but he killed it with one touch, sorted his feet out, and finished with his second touch. I don't think Wilson or Gordon could have done that.

He reminds me a bit of Chris Waddle. (And for the real oldies, Forest's John Robertson). In certain situations, defenders know what he's going to do, but there's nothing they can do about it. Gordon is more athletic, and less technical, but the end product is the same.

He's an interesting player. His long range shooting and passing is as good as anyone's. I think the issue is that his managers haven't quite found his best role. I may be wrong, but I get the impression that he's not particularly ambitious - that he's been able to get where he is on talent alone, and is quite laid back about his future. I can't recall seeing him talking to his team-mates or giving them any instructions. Just impressions, that's all.

I think Neves will be keen to make the move. He's far too good and young to be playing in that league. Who or what is 'em'? Maybe I'm missing something due to age.

I think you've been at the Foster's, mate, but I like your positivity. Apart from Isak and Bruno, we don't have great individuals. Our team-work and mentality is carrying us through. On paper, yesterday's scoreline shouldn't have happened.

His composure and technique is very impressive for a youngster. Once he really gets used to the extra pace of first team football - and that may not take long - the likes of Anderson and Willock may find it difficult to break back in. I felt at times that his team-mates were protecting him a bit and not giving him the ball in some situations. Once he acquires a bit more presence in the group that should sort itself. All in all, he looks our best home-grown prospect since Gazza.

Bastard.

Pochettino on Sky Sports looked absolutely shattered.

He's made me look a complete tit yet again. I don't learn. Before the game, I looked at the teams and the benches and said no, not this time. Mercifully, it's in a locked thread and I can't be quoted.

Taking the piss would be putting one of the keepers on in place of an outfield player. Do it Eddie!

The aggravating thing is that City are so good at the physical side of the game, as well as the technical. So many times they look like they're losing the ball, but somehow they manage to keep it or regain it. Nunez will not be a striker in the top bracket. This idea that he just needs more time is unrealistic. He's a good athlete and will continue to have a decent career, but he's just too clumsy.

I know what you mean. It's a very flimsy looking midfield, with a lot of unfamiliar names on the bench. I've written us off in games before, and been taken aback by the eventual result, but this time.....

Skilful but not a good enough athlete. Couldn't tackle. Usually played centre mid or withdrawn striker.

It seems to me that we're not yet in a position to shop at the very highest end of the market. One striker systems are now the norm, and you need a very good all-rounder to do all aspects of the role well. There's not that many around, and they attract a lot of interest. Yes, there are injury concerns about Calvert-Lewin, but that may mean that he's gettable for us, with other clubs looking elsewhere. As far as I can see, fitness is the only problem - he's a very talented player. In our position, we may have to take a risk or two.

He's worth a punt, none the less. Very strong in the air, and we rely a fair bit on crosses and set pieces.

I'd say you're talking about a delegate there, not a representative. Ultimately, we elect leaders, and leading in any context often means making a decision that's unpopular. You have to have people that can stand up for what they feel is right in their own honest judgement.

I agree. It is ridiculous to suggest that this sanction is so outrageous and undeserved that it should be raised in parliament. Obviously votes are at stake here. This is democracy at its worst.

The more I think about it, the more absurd the criticism of the penalty appears. The amounts that a club might lose by getting relegated, or gain by getting into the Champions League are both huge. If the worst that can happen if you cheat is a 10 point penalty, then many clubs might think it's worth taking the risk of an overspend. The much bigger deterrent seems to be the threat of being sued by clubs who get relegated or miss out on the Champions League. What would effectively be a £200m+ fine would make owners think twice.

Dear me. That is bad.

I think the difficulty in imposing other spending curbs is that football has an international dimension. If the Premiership were to introduce things like salary caps, then the clubs might lose competitiveness with many clubs on the continent. American sports are a closed shop, so their devices to maintain competition don't create that problem.

I'm not a financial expert, so anyone better versed please leap in, but I think the issue here is that ownership of most clubs is through a PLC status, so that the company is liable for any debts, rather than the owner in terms of their personal wealth. So there's a bit of a legal safety net for owners, although they'd lose whatever they'd invested or a large part of it if the company went bust. They don't exactly walk off into the sunset, but whilst their private wealth is protected, the supporters, and indeed a community, can suffer the loss of their entire club, or end up in a sort of death spiral, as happened with Leeds. That's one of the main reasons behind FFP. It pressures owners to use some financial discipline. as well as promoting fairer competition. The Premiership isn't the only sporting competition that regulates the expenditure of its participants. Whilst it's true that a knock-on effect is that an elite is protected in our particular case, there are other aspects to it.

The problem there is that a club in our position could outspend everyone at will and create a monopoly, which is even worse than a cartel. And it's pretty much what Man City have done, it seems through ignoring FFP. The other problem with money coming in from outside the game is that it creates an unreal economic market for the clubs without wealthy owners. They then come under pressure to take risks in order to keep up.