Cronky

I agree. And in the past, when we've got to the latter stages of Cup competitions, the pressure has got to the players and we haven't performed. I don't think that'll happen this time. Eddie is great at sending his teams out with the right mindset.

.... but we should also be wary of departing from our current successful strategy. Eddie puts great store on maintaining harmony and morale within the group and any new signing should be made with that in mind. This group of players were good enough to get us into this position and there's no need to make any risky buys.

This team is totally fearless. An easy draw in the semis would be nice, but wouldn't it be great to take down both the Manchester clubs?

I think he'll get his chances in the second half of the season, particularly if we have a run in the FA Cup. I think we might well see him today. We don't really have the strength in depth to loan him out anyway.

It felt like in the first 15 minutes our high press wasn't working. Their passing and combination play was just too good. Things improved when their initial burst of energy calmed down a bit, and we defended a bit deeper and cut down their space that way. But we were lucky not to concede in that early period. I thought the two substitutions were okay. Wilson was struggling to make an impact and Almiron looked tired for once. Obviously it would be good to have a better striker than Wood to come on, but that's where we at. As would usually happen in that sort of game away from home, we then had to batten down the hatches and hope for something from a set piece.

Absolutely. The manager who can unlock that lad's potential will reap big rewards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCr92e5VM4E I thought this was great. After so many years of being laughed at, it's so good that we're making them angry.

He didn't look to me like an 18 year old who has only played a handful of first team games. The period of bedding in might be quite short.

That one looks seriously good.

I enjoyed reading that. A bit OTT, but ever since he arrived, I've felt he's had a galvanising effect on our defending, regardless of his individual limitations. Maybe it's that spirit of 'I know I'm not very good, but I don't care' that frees everyone else up to do their best.

Clearly it's not a fluke, but I'm still amazed at how few goals we're conceding. On paper, our back five aren't anything exceptional, and none of our midfield players are particularly good at defending. Last night, Arsenal got right behind our defence several times, but we still kept them out. It must be all down to good coaching and the finer points of defensive organisation, and it would be fascinating to know how Eddie does it.

The handball wasn't a pen. The shirt pull arguably was, but we all know that refs are reluctant to give pens for grappling at corners because so much goes on, and it's usually hard to tell who's at fault. No mystery there.

Our defensive organisation saw us through tonight. We offered very little going forward, and there was a gulf in class in terms of the two teams' ability to pass the ball and combine. Some of our players looked tired - Miggy and Willock I thought - and Wilson struggled. But in the end, you have to say that our Eddie has defied the odds yet again. How that side has not conceded a goal in over 10 hours is quite remarkable. Arteta had a touch of the Klopps in the end. That won't do his team any good.

Getting very tasty. I'm not sure it'll finish with 22 players on the pitch. Outclassed for the most part, but we're hanging in there

Our lads look up for it. Could be interesting.

Got to say I thought the cutback was easy, but he never looked confident, and that lack of willingness to impose himself in situations is a recurrent fault. I can understand and respect his natural limitations, but sometimes he looks very hesitant.

I think Darwin Nunez is proving to be a mistake. He's strong and fast but not particularly technical. A good player all right, but Liverpool were looking for someone in the very top bracket. I don't think things are going to get much better either.

This team has been defying the odds so regularly, but this time I think the challenge will be too much. (Not that I haven't said that before and been proved wrong) Arsenal are playing great football, they'll be wanting to prove something after the way we bullied them at St James's, and we're not at full strength.

I think this guy has been linked on here before - https://www.90min.com/posts/newcastle-continue-talks-flamengo-brazilian-teenager He looks pacey and promising. The Ronaldo rumour sounds very unlikely - if not, the Saudis are being very naive. What does it do to the morale of the Saudi team if they have a newcomer who is able to jump ship the minute he sees the chance of success elsewhere. And what does it do to the morale of our players if they earn a place in the CL and then another player of greater status (who wouldn't have joined otherwise) immediately steps in to take advantage.

You may have a point there. I tend to think that Longstaff gets scapegoated after disappointing results, and for me, it's Willock whose place looks most vulnerable. However, I agree that we need a midfield player who can unlock a deep defence, and the obvious choice for me would be Maddison.

Watching some of the old footage again, what has struck me is that, for a stocky, muscular guy, he was remarkably light on his feet. In his goal celebrations, he was skipping and jumping like a little kid.

He didn't look that sure though.

Our net transfer spend over the last two windows is large, but what needs taking into account is the fact that 1) we were starting from a very low position in the Premiership, and 2) because of the previous low spending and lack of quality in the squad, we haven't been able to raise any funds through sales, unlike other clubs. Those factors put Eddie's achievements into perspective.

Thank you for your post. Ever since last season, I've needed no convincing as to what a gem we have in Eddie, but that was a good read. Not because I have any doubts, but just for my education, what do you think went wrong at Burnley, and (in the end) at Bournemouth?

He had natural skills that elevated him above every other player in his time. His status in the game is beyond question. I can remember one of those comic strips in a paper many years ago, about the memories of a Chelsea player (can't remember which) who was up against him in a friendly game. He came off the pitch in absolute awe of him. Whenever the Chelsea player tried to put in a challenge, he just bounced off him. He was very strong. When going up for a header, Pele didn't need a run up. He just used the ground like it was a trampoline. (eg his goal in the 1970 WC final) On one occasion, Pele had to cushion a high ball into his stride, but he didn't use his instep, he used his heel. I've never seen any player do that. As far as the Chelsea player was concerned, there were 21 footballers on the pitch, and there was Pele.