TRon

He's had a great season. He's like our conductor, everything goes through him. We have quality in most areas now, but he is top tier and that's what we need to aspire to in every position if we want to kick on to the next level....which is PL champions basically.

It's not about knowing better than Eddie, we've clearly struggled against teams who defend deep with our current set of players. Especially when players like Hall and Trippier are missing, possible Joelinton too.

This is me as well. I quite liked the idea of having some separation from the manager in this regard, but I guess it has got to a point where Howe has proven himself on just about every level that the board just don't want to fix it if it ain't broken. Totally understandable. If Howe sees himself here for a long time, then you don't cut your nose off to spite your face by making him think twice. Let's just enjoy the ride while we can.

Can understand him going to either Man U or Chelsea tbh, they both really need a top class striker more than we do. But will they really sign Delap and pin their hopes on him being that striker? Chelsea I think would definitely look to sign a senior striker, maybe Man U under their skinflint owner would be more prepared to take a punt on Delap starting every game as first choice.

Knowing the way Chelsea work, he probably hasn't been told that.

Nevertheless, until we are able to compete in the same markets as the cartel clubs, we don't really have much choice but to take calculated gambles on unproven players. My understanding is that it's not a case of either/or anyway. Mitchell's expertise should complement Howe's approach. I don't see giving Mitchell a chance to prove himself as a rejection of the previous transfer strategy anyway. Just a necessary progression.

But hasn't Howe also targeted the sort of players Mitchell should be signing, AFTER they have proven themselves in the PL? I'm thinking Mbuemo and Elanga as examples. The whole idea behind bringing Mitchell in was to identify those players before their values triple or quadruple. I understand Howe's desire for proven players, but it was unsustainable with PSR. We need a mix of both until the PSR shackles have been kicked to the kerb.

Which was exactly what was needed against a packed defence. Having some pace also added to his threat, at least he gave the Everton defenders something to worry about.

Dan Burn slipped a couple of times, I think he did for the goal as well. Alcaraz or whatever his name is, gave him a pretty tough game all afternoon.

It's his job to deliver, I also feel this is the first window we can really judge him properly. Until I see him signing duds, I don't really see any reason to doubt him.

With Isak out or not functioning at 100% there was more responsibility on them to step up, and none of them did really. You could argue that Lewis Hall being out has not helped Gordon or Barnes as he would normally provide the overlap, but on Sunday Livramento was doing that great, but Gordon in particular was poor. Likewise Barnes and Murphy produced fuck all from the other side. I get that against a low block it's difficult, but we struggle with this every time. That's the missing element from our wide players, the extra quality to unlock a well organised defence.

Disagree. I thought Tonali was outstanding, Bruno and Tino were decent as well. Murphy's lack of guile and finesse were exposed yesterday in a hard game where there was less time and space that you get against the better teams.

Ugh. Well at least we get to thrash them twice next season. That should bring them down to earth.

If that happened I'd want some compensation for the gazillions we missed out on when Mbappe got given a dodgy pen in injury time in the CL last year.

This basically. Osula caused far more problems in the space of 10 mins than Wilson has in half a dozen games this season. Not really sure why I am reading he will be offered any sort of deal today. Not what I was expecting, I thought yesterday pretty much drew a line under his career here.

It's not a criticism of us, we've had an amazing season. I would much rather have our season than the one Spurs have had. But it just feels wrong that they could end up in the CL despite being more in danger of relegation than qualifying through performance.

The only reason we are talking about this is because supposedly City like him. I'm sure they do, but that doesn't mean he wants to go, or that we will agree to sell him unless it's for outrageous money.

He's so versatile, he can even play as a CB in an emergency. Personally think he's a fantastic player, would hate to see him being sold. I can see why Man City would want him.

What I find absolutely appalling is that if we don't qualify for the CL, Spurs could end up winning a more important trophy and getting into the best Euro competition after having stunk out the Premier league all season. Obviously we've had a better season, but you could argue they ended up the bigger winners.

Doesn't he lack explosive pace? He has good instincts and can strike a ball sweetly, but never seen him giving defenders that much problem getting in behind.

If Everton have a defence which lacks pace then we need to hit them with pace. Might be a factor for starting Willock over Miley if either of them is being considered. It was infuriating watching crosses coming in against Arsenal when we had no one busting a gut to get in the penalty area last week.

I'm just thinking against a makeshift defence, if he gets in front of goal he might still finish. Not sure what Osula or Gordon would do if they were playing up front. One's a winger, and the other is raw and doesn't have much of a goals record either.

Not when we're playing with three CBs.

I agree, but against a weakened defence Wilson might get more space than against Arsenal, and he still knows where the goal is.

If Isak's not fit, who would be your choice?