TRon

I'm saying he should play, albeit from a very selfish point of view.

Yeah, as in with you in spirit if not in the flesh.

Yeah that's how I read it, not sure why people are getting a hard on over it.

Look who we are playing against.

He said that was the title he got at all the clubs he was at, I was always under the impression we bestowed that title on him? Did they call him that at QPR as well? Wouldn't be a surprise if they did tbh, he was frightening for them.

Do they travel tomorrow? I was under the impression they would go today and stay overnight rather than play after travelling which isn't ideal.

Was thinking the same myself, not just about the blame shifting, but also the Souness comparison.

Absolutely. All things equal I would be more than happy for us to punch our weight if all clubs were operating under their own steam without stupidly rich backers. We did well enough in the 90's and 2000's under KK and Bobby. But all things aren't equal, and haven't been since Qatari and Russian money started buying up the PL. We've just reluctantly joined the party so we can compete again.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. If it was a home game would be different, I suppose it depends what time the squad is travelling to London.

Hope so because 7th is definitely doable, but breaking into that top 6 might take another season yet.

Can't really blame them can you. It must be really infuriating as a player watching him strut around the touchline play-acting at being a top manager.

These games against Man U and Spurs would have been perfect for Isak and ASM, that's the frustration of it. But we are still grinding out results regardless, so we can go there with confidence.

This. He's actually looking like a very promising all round midfielder now, I think the stats back this up, he just can't buy a goal at the minute.

That's the irony of it, Howe has been nothing but a gentleman in the face of quite a lot of provocation.

They are coming off a pretty bad defeat last night, confidence will have taken a knock. I am actually feeling much better about this game than I was at 7pm yesterday. A point on Sunday would mean we have come through a pretty tricky week with 5 points from 9 which is more than decent.

He's not. He's looked threatening, but still looks like he's trying to find his way at this level, which is understandable. He doesn't look a million miles off tbh, he's just missing the final touch from hitting a goal. The good thing is, he is definitely looking to hurt the opposition rather than take the easy option and pass sideways.

I think 6th is a big ask, the Big 6 are still well placed to pull ahead of us, even those who have started badly. I just think they have more quality in depth which will make the difference over the season. Especially up front. Chelsea or Liverpool would never have to play someone like Murphy or Longstaff, both of whom are game lads, but they would struggle to get into a lot of PL teams, never mind the top 6.

Yeah, he generally gets about the pitch well enough, it's his distribution and ball retention which is a bit loose.

I always wanted us to go for 7th, and I think it's definitely on now. Can't really emphasise how impressive it would be though considering we'll have to finish above West Ham, and they've spent good money.

Got to admit I'm disappointed no one has made this into a chant yet

Especially when you consider we had a couple of our best forwards missing.

I don't think it's negativity tbh, it's all about who will be on the pitch tonight. I would normally be really confident of this fixture, but a combination of them getting in a solid defensive spine, and us losing Maxi and Isak, leaves me a bit concerned we won't find a goal. I'm not worried about losing, but I would be pissed off if we didn't win.

Actually it's not even true that I don't mind him, I do a bit. I'd like him to fail if we are being brutally honest.

I don't mind Lampard either, but I'm glad he's Everton's manager and we've got Howe.