stozo

Silver lining is at least they’ve all realised now it’s the best time to end it rather than another Summer power struggle.

Did a bit of playing with the numbers recently and I think it’s likely £90m-£110m budget plus whatever headroom you can create from sales. The range is effectively because (a) nobody knows where the live commercials are exactly and (b) depends on how we choose to spend it as wages may eat some of your headroom (Kelly sale creates a lot but then you assume a new signing on the headroom may end up being paid significantly more than him).

A quality player. The right time to part company. A lot of good memories from his time here. That third goal in the game against Brighton in the first CL season was huge. Seems a lovely bloke too. Thank you Callum.

Hopefully a good pre-season and he’ll be back to his best next season.

I think it was fairly widely reported that pre-Bruce being sacked Rafa was approached and had made clear to Staveley that he wouldn't leave Everton.

Very encouraging in terms of the ambition for next year. Should be an exciting summer ahead.

Injury or falling out, it’s a pretty awful look for him to be ringside at the boxing tonight just a few hours after Villa have been well beaten in an FA Cup Semi Final.

I’m going to sleep and dreaming of Europe (and in my dreams Bruno lifts the Champions League). Goodnight my friend.

I didn’t even watch the match tonight but having spent a very many hours watching messrs Xisco, Rivière, de Jong et al. play for Newcastle over very many years I am willing to bet that Bruno in a 2-1 home win against a mid-table side was not ‘crap’.

After careful reflection I’ll give Bruno a pass on tonight after scoring the winner in our last PL game and then becoming the first Captain to lift a domestic trophy on 70 years.

Absolutely chuffed for the bloke.

Apologies, I meant domestic trophy!

I'm happy to take that risk. I've seen us win 432 Premier League games so far - but not seen us win a trophy yet. I can wait an extra week or two for win number 433 in the Premier League, if it gets us our first trophy in 70 years.

Ideal XI: Pope, Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Targett, Miley, Longstaff, Willock, Osula, Barnes and Wilson. It won't happen but personally I'd gamble on giving Schar, Botman, Tino, Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy and Isak the week off in the hope they'll be really fresh for the cup final.

You've got to presume we won't go up from here but lots to play for from a broader table perspective. And we're already at the stage where you assume we are going to very likely finish above three sides (Sheff U, Blackburn and Southampton) who were already well established in this division. Loads still to work on in terms of the progression of the team but I think we can pleased we've done a decent job this year - and a bright future ahead.