TRon

What the fuck made Sky think we want to watch a ref giving his non-opinions on our favourite Saturday football show?

I feel like this is the right team for this game, I also like the balance with Anderson coming in on the left and Barnes and Gordon supporting Wilson. It just feels like a dynamic and direct attacking side. Should be noted though, that's no slight on the players like Isak or Tonali who have been left out, it's a lot easier to look good against Brentford than it is against Brighton or Man City, so no one should get too carried away one way or the other.

Crap, Villa equalise.

Saving him for Milan obviously.

Think I’ll have to watch it as well now, can’t wait to hear the logic behind that. It”s like the last two years never happened.

We just don't need another winger, we've got them coming out of every orifice at the moment.

Now where have I heard that before?

That's what made me ask the question. I remember at the time he was sill trying to justify a starting position in the Brizil first team so was just wondering if he's nailed down his spot yet.

Wouldn't bet against him doing it this season.

Never mind, looks like Botman will be back.

He's quicker than Burn.

Perfect for everyone that. We get to keep him through his peak, and he shows his commitment when it would have been easy to play out his contract and move wherever he wants.

No idea if that's true, but can imagine he's gone out there thinking it will be part work, part holiday. Although lying on a sunbed is probably out of the question with his ghostly white complexion.

I wonder if we'll bring Lascelles back for this one? The Brentford journalist in the Athletic seemed to fancy Wissa's chances of dropping into the pockets and exploiting Burn's lack of pace.

Agree but I was looking at it from the new owners POV. If they can leverage all the debt onto the club then that means their own position is not that bad. If Everton are fucked that's Everton's problem not theirs.

It's worked out ok for the Glazers.

What's the view in Brazil? Is his reputation growing despite the odd poor game or is the jury still out?

I think that's a fair stance to take for an inferior side, if you don't really believe you have the best players in the world. I always thought Rafa was a great manager for cup tournaments where you can sit back and hit superior teams on the counter, but in the league his defensive approach cost Liverpool against inferior sides who used the same tactic. It's not the worst tactic tbf, but you do wonder if Southgate really believes England have the best players if he doesn't trust a plethora of attacking talent which most other international teams would be envious of.

Says plenty that he's ended up there.

It's not that unreasonable. The only clubs who could afford that sort of release clause could probably pay him twice as much anyway. Hardly amounts to him wanting out.

Hmmmm. Just checked your avatar and I'm a little perplexed.

Anderson has had quite a few opportunities off the bench, it hasn't quite happened for him yet, partly down to it being a big step up to the PL, and partly just bad luck. He's been close to scoring a few times. I don't think Howe has held him back, just PL defences and midfields for that matter, are a lot better organised to what he's used to, and he's still adjusting.

That's what annoyed me as well. We had a fabulous season which would have made almost a fairy tale story in itself, but that almost seemed to get skimmed over like not showing the goals against Brighton which basically got us Champions League football. It wasn't the PR stuff for the boardroom stuff which annoyed me as the lack of enthusiasm in the narration of the on field stuff. It was like someone was reading off an autocue while counting down the minutes when it would be over.

Well it isn't ideal, that's for sure. But if it's a problem, it's difficult to see what the solution is. At the end of the day we are the brand associated with PIF, their ultimate aim has already been declared as to make us number one, not Chelsea. If we have dreams of being champions again, which other owners are likely to deliver?