Shak

We tried to win the game and it was there for us, Anderson could have done it with a bit more composure. Will always want us to do that.

Be kinda funny if Howe had devised some incredible strategy they'd been working on for months and and Liverpool scored after 30 seconds.

Maybe there's some sort of tactical reason he's done it? Possible they've had Burn and Lascelles working on it together for a while and didn't want to ask Botman and Schar to change it up for a game while they're still gelling? Can't even begin to guess what exactly it might be mind, seems bizarre

Resting your CB pairing is wild

His name is Isak It is He plays in attack Come on He'll rinse your fullback Oh my God Alexander Isak

I just wanted to use the word 'trouser' as a verb.

If the rumours about Leicester wanting to scale back are true, deadline day would be the right time to do it like. Sell a player or two for big money when you don't have time to replace them. Trouser the cash.

Tielemans and Maddison for 75m, double deal.

Obviously would love to see Isak up top instead of Wood but think we'll see him off the bench and Wood starting. Fraser in for ASM on the left. Same front six as Sunday, otherwise. It's not exciting by any means but I don't hate the idea of keeping ourselves in the game for 60 minutes and then introducing Isak and Anderson from the bench, might be able to cause them a few problems.

Say what you will about Edwards but the man gets results.

Be class if Leicester didn't know who the bidding club was.

People getting annoyed with Richarlison for THAT

I know it's probably better to have them miss this game than one we have a more realistic chance of winning... But I can't help but be really pissed we're going into this game without Bruno or Wilson and most likely Trippier or ASM. Not saying we'd have gone there and humped them but there's such a good vibe around us that I'd really have fancied us to give them a really good game. Still expect we'll go out and give a good account of ourselves tomorrow but suspect we'll just not have the quality to give them any trouble in the final third unless Isak just comes in and is an immediate rinse machine.

I'd like to not take the cup games seriously but win them anyway. Doesn't seem like too much to ask.

Was pretty widely reported that we asked about Paqueta back in January when we went in for Bruno. Become pretty clear that we were never gonna pursue him this summer for one reason or another, but it's not like the link was entirely created by this forum either.

Would be fucking class

Think either Maddison or João Pedro would theoretically be similar to Paqueta in what they would add in terms of versatility. I've convinced myself that we'll go balls out for Maddison on deadline day and he will push to be allowed leave. Just think he'd add so fucking much to the squad. First choice RW, which the way we play isn't really a proper wide man. He'd be such an upgrade over Almiron there, both in terms of creating chances and adding goals himself. He'd be a joy to watch link up with Trippier too. Also, he could so easily drop into the midfield three if we want to play Isak just off Wilson or if we've injuries in midfield. Obviously would be great to get others in too but if you told me our our only incoming this week was going to be him I'd be thrilled.

It would be an honour to see myself in his shirt.

There's a second page of the statement tbf

Definitely need a couple of bodies in and I think we'll get them. Obviously we need a RW but I do suspect it'll be someone who's more of an AM/SS to play just off the striker rather than as a true wide man. My guess is we go back in for Maddison, as the deadline moves closer I could see him maybe pushing to be allowed to leave. If we can't get him, reigniting the offer for João Pedro could be an option. If we can't get a permanent deal for a player we really want at a price we're comfortable with, maybe then we look to loan someone like Pulisic as a stopgap. Really would be on board with pushing the boat out to get Maddison. Think he'd be immense in that Almiron role, playing clever little passes in behind for Isak to feast on and chipping in plenty of goals himself too. Another huge plus is that he could easily drop into the AM spot for when we're chasing games or we want to play Isak and Wilson together. Also think he's about as close as a sure thing to hit the ground running as you could ask for Similar story with CM, I think we get someone in there to pair with Joe and Bruno as the first choice trio. Ideally a permanent deal but I don't think we'll spend just for the sake of it. With no additions I think we'll have a decent season. When everyone is fit I'd fancy is to give anyone a game. However, that's not really that realistic and the drop off from our first choice 11 to our main backups in midfield and attack is stark. Longstaff, Willock, Almiron, Anderson and Fraser are all capable of coming in and doing a job if they have a good team around them IMO. You get to the point where you're starting three of them like we were today and their lack of quality (or experience, in the case of Anderson) starts to show, though. Then we've got the likes of Wood and Murphy getting significant game time when they should only really be playing in the most grim circumstances imaginable. Get two good players in this week and it could be a very fun season if injuries don't fuck us, let's hope it happens!

Yeah, very similar to Ben Arfa in the way a lot of fans seem to view him. Quite useful though as you can more or less disregard everything those people have to say about football

Ideal situation is probably bringing him on later in games to take advantage of the game being stretched and teams being tired. Problem is that Willock and Longstaff were both so bad today that it's definitely tempting to start him ahead of those two. Desperately need bodies in this week.

Any chance all the "ASM just isn't interested today, might as well take him off" crowd learned anything today?

ASM and Trippier possibly gonna miss some time, you'd think? Unfortunate as Maxi in particular must be buzzing right now.

Think Trippier didn't fancy it, suspect his knick is impacting his ball striking. Still, disappointing that Schar just hoofing it was the plan. At least don't have Trippier walk away from it and give up element of surprise.