STM

The only area that I can see him needing to learn, is how to rotate the squad when form dips. If he can balance changing 1 or 2 players every now and then to keep freshness, then those 9 game winning runs can turn into league winning runs. There have been points this season where Gordon, Bruno, Joelinton, Murphy and even Isak could have benefited from just a two week rest... evidenced by Joelintons form since returning from injury. Obviously Howe needs the squad to do this, which hopefully will come in time. In terms of coaching and matchday, I've nothing but pure awe.

Is the whole thing going to be televised? I want to watch the whole thing live and from the comfort of my sofa.

Also 2 important factors: If we get CL we are highly unlikely to have the tough fixtures we did last time. Also, our injury situation from last season is very unlikely to occur again.

That's entirely dependent on our financial constraints. Nobody knows how much we can/can't spend, despite what they may claim. I'd rather have 2 quality players than the 3 development players, if made to choose, because the quality players are what we need.

So 2 points on transfers: It was reported that one of the reasons we decided not to spend in January was not because we would have fallen foul of FFP but because we wouldn't have been able to act like a big shark pre June 30th (that's the correct date for FFP deadline right?) So basically we have every intention of doing a Forest on someone else if we can, which suggests to me that there are some clubs that are going to need to trade before the deadline. Your guess is as good as mine but I'd wager we go early on at least one player. The second point was the, big signing vs younger player with sell on value, debate.... Ive always been of the opinion that having an old school "transfer policy" only ever limits what you can do. Arsenal not giving players over a certain age a contract extension is an example of this, Brighton and Bournemouth signing players purely with the intention of flipping them for profit is also a good example. Why make a rod for your own back? The key is balance, can you sign enough proven players (Tonali, Bruno, Trippier, Isak) and complement them with young players to develop (Minteh, Hall, Livramento, Osula, Gordon), to make a side that not only meets our expectations on the pitch but also adds value to future sales. I always used to admire Fergie for not being afraid to take a Larsson or an Owen (for free) to add depth to his squads. He also signed players like Van Der Sar, who had no sell on value (ok not in an FFP world), but added vast experiance. There's plenty of bad examples of this too but we really shouldn't restrict ourselves. I also think that, we have to show a certain level of ambition to our current players. If we start acting solely like Brighton, by signing young players, it sends the wrong message. If it were me (thank God it isnt), I'd sign an established RW, an established CB, then sign 3 players with big potential beyond that: GK (Trafford?), ST/AM, CM.

I understand it, RB is a stacked area. I can understand people not thinking Burn is good enough for England too But tell me that MLS is better than Lewis Hall and I'll savagely pummel you.

We absolutely won't sell Isak this summer and if he does leave, it will be abroad. I'd take less money, if he went abroad. Our aim is to win the league, you don't win the league by handing world class strikers to your rivals. Abroad or nothing.

For the content whores. For a small channel, this guy is really good.

On the Lampard debate. IIRC he was quite impressive in his analysis during the euros. Very understated, knowledgeable and insightful. Whether he will ever be a great coach, I doubt, but he might have enough to make a good PL manager. I can see him a bit like Moyes. Out of those ex-players, Gerrard, Rooney etc. Lampard is certainly the most likely to succeed.

I've said before the reason for Bruce getting so much slack in the press... Apparently when he was Man U captain he used to throw infamous house parties for his teammates, was always seen as one of the main lads. He's one of those blokes whod instantly offer you a pint so you'd like him. The generation of pundits we have had recently where almost entirely made up of players from his era who liked "Brucey", one of the lads innit. Whatever a cuntish manager he is, he clearly had the ability to befriend people. He's a social person. That's why we get these outbursts, he can't stand people being critical of him.

I think Kevin Keegan being there and handing over the trophy to Eddie and the boys would make me insta-spunk. In fact the one thing missing from this cup win is Kevin Keegan. Has he even commented on it?

Anyone else think that the Sam Fender lyric, "I was far too scared to hit him, but I'd hit him in a heartbeat now", is a perfect metaphor for our cup win. Feels perfect somehow.

That's just lush. Big river is class. Had it at my wedding.

Could well end up being the longest.

"Dwight gayles right Bruce was shite". wouldn't mind this getting an airing. Friendly against Blackpool would be nice.