TRon

I think fringe players like Willock always have a price, if we get a half decent fee we would sell. That money would then go towards buying someone next level I would imagine. Hopefully if he's playing the last few games he'll put in the performances to show his real value.

Because stats don't mean that much when key players are missing. I'll bet all those games you are citing we had Joelinton playing. Of course a draw is very likely. A win is also likely but when two top teams go head to head it doesn't necessarily mean a win is guaranteed for Newcastle when one of our key players is out.

Same here.

That's how I see it. A draw is a very likely outcome on Sunday no matter how much I would prefer to win it. But if we don't win I won't be assuming it's game over and assuming we are out of the running for CL football. Villa still have points to make up on us, and we only have to finish ahead of either them or Forest even if Chelsea finish higher.

They are obviously regretting the decision to pay £20m, but I guess it's just about whether they are locked in or not. If we drew the contract up right, they won't be able to wiggle out of it.

Not sure it's what the Howe system demands, which is what @buzza is getting at. Not that Howe doesn't like technique, but it would need to be allied with some physicality and bite. Not seen much of McAtee so no idea if he fits the bill.

The early kick off might make for a more nervous atmosphere, that's my worry. Fans will have had less time to get some drinking in which normally inflates the confidence nicely.

It's neither in reality. Both teams are very dangerous in their own way. We have the home advantage, but that's kinda negated by Joelinton being out. Any result is possible, that's why there will be nerves on both sides of the fanbase. Their supporters will be dreading it, and I know I am very apprehensive about it just because so much is riding on it.

Disagree, I think it's important we don't get beat above all else. There's every chance Villa and Forest stumble as well. Ideally we beat Chelsea, but a draw wouldn't be a disaster, if we draw against Arsenal as well then beat Everton, that might well be enough to see us through.

Fuck me how are they missing these??

i'd take a draw here all day long.

Forest are more than capable of winning, they have a mean defence, and MGW, Wood and Elanga are more than capable of scoring goals. Their style is probably better suited to countering away from home anyway. But Palace is a tough game, could go either way for me, and I am hoping they will turn Forest over.

You were right first time, neither Miley or Longstaff will start left side midfield, just think lack of pace and playing on their wrong side is something Howe won't consider IMO. He'll either go Willock again ( I actually thought he did ok) or he'll change formation.

Not a bad shout. Hall was a converted midfielder iirc, so he should have some of the attacking/defensive attributes needed. The real difficulty is replacing Joelinton's physicality. He's a beast, and with that height he's important at set pieces also.

They defended really well mind, we kept getting into great positions and put in a lot of crosses, but their defenders were first to every ball and blocked just about everything. I can barely recall their keeper making a save. Wilson's effort near the end maybe.

How do you judge that as LCM covers quite a lot of ground anywhere in the centre to LW to LB?

Does Miley play on the left of CM? You were saying that you wanted more cover for Tino in that post but Miley plays more centrally as far as I am aware, and not sure he would have the pace to cover for Tino even if he did switch out wide left.

Who would you start instead?

I think he is the hardest to replace because he's not just a midfielder, he combines that with givins us width on the left as well. The only other natural player who can do that is Willock, and he doesn't have the same combative strength in midfield. Tonali or Bruno you could arguably replace in the side with Miley or Longstaff. Obviously a step down but it's at least like for like.

Agree about Liverpool's no show, but at this stage of the season you really don't want to be relying on other teams doing you any favours. It's still in our hands and that's about as much as you can ask for.

That's really the difference a top class winger makes though. At the highest level, you need something to break the low block, and Murphy doesn't really have that in his locker. He's more about getting the cross in early before he gets closed down, and he's really good at that.

I've never been on board with us just expecting to win because we are at home and Chelsea are a joke these days. They are only below us on goal difference, and still have some very dangerous players like Cole, Neto and Madueki. And yeah, Joelinton would have been big in this one, he was fantastic in our cup win over them earlier this season. Very tough game, but hopefully our home advantage will swing it.

I kind of like that he feels he missed out here.

That's not what I said though, I actually agree Joelinton is very underrated on his passing. But how many assists does he get or goals? Not a regular occurence which was my point. The crux of it is, we can't play Joelinton because he's probably out for the last few games. So in my view we have to play a replacement, and in that regard I thought Willock did as well as could be expected given those around him were not great.

His job today was to replace Joelinton. It's not like Big Joe is putting in killer passes or scoring goals in most games either. The lack of end product really should be put at the door of the forwards, all of whom barely contributed in the final third. Judge him on his contribution as a midfielder, in that regard I thought he was better than Bruno and Tonali, both of whom had disappointing games.