STM

They got beat yesterday and there's been alot of questions surrounding their performances, lack of balance, what Havertz offers etc. They certainly aren't the side that beat us at SJP last season but still good obviously.

Trippier might seem like lazarus right now but an injury to any player is around the corner, it takes one injury for Livramento to pounce. All those amazing right backs England have; Trippier (old), TAA (cant defend), James (crock).... Livramento is the one.

Oh and it's my first match since Wembley.

24 hours ago, this was a game that Arsenal edged us out. We've pretty much rested : Bruno, Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Wilson and Burn. Notably, these are some of our more aging players. Arsenal have lost confidence and aren't in a great mental space either. We CAN win, I'd take a draw, place needs to be a cauldron. Pope Trippier Lascelles Schar Burn Longstaff Bruno Joelinton Miggy Wilson Gordon Key subs: Livramento, Willock, Hall. If we can get a lead, the likes of Krafth, Dummett, Richie and Co have shown that they can help us see out a game with professionalism. We are in a decent spot. Tough game though.

At least Liverpool got West Ham.

Dubravka 7 Livramento 9 Krafth 8 Dummett 8 Hall 8 Longstaff 7 Joelinton 9 Willock 9 Richie 7 Gordon 7 Miggy 8

The way he sprinted to celebrate was lush. Pure schoolboy stuff.

If its not Boro at home, I'll be fuming .

He was everything we thought he was. What's great is that he's got soooooo much to learn. Knowing you can trust a player is everything and we can trust him.

Targett started the game as DM.

It's absolutely frightning to me that our second string can go to old Trafford, smash them 3-0 and I'm not remotely surprised. It's the new norm for me to be thrilled by these performances but never surprised.

I really like Neville to be fair.

Enjoy this lads.

Quite unnerving that I don't expect us to bottle this. They will make subs.... so will we.

Our recruitment policy doesn't look too terrible right now.

Our midfield is smashing theirs.

Let's assume Eddie won't change formation for this. Pope Tino Lascelles Dummett Targett Longstaff Willock Joelinton Richie Hall Gordon Would be my guess. If we are drawing at half time, I'd 100% bring on the big guns second half. Wilson- Hall Miggy- Richie Bruno- Longstaff Schar- Dummett 30 mins won't harm them much and they could see us through to the next round.

I think people are being incredibly harsh on Ramsdale. In keeper terms he's barely matured yet. Was Pope highly rated at his age? Anyway, it's hardly a priority and certainly not a hill worth dying on.

That's why it needs to be someone who can play there but can also play in other roles. That gives them more chance of game time. I'd be looking for someone young who perhaps isn't an out and out goalscorer that plays a slightly deeper, link up type player.

The good news is that IF we sign someone in January, it will likely be an attacking player, given where our injuries currently lie. Would love a versatile young forward in the mould of Joao Pedro. Except better obvs.

Every single thing about the club at the moment is positive. Even the bumps in the road are bumps along a shiny gold plated highway. Tonalis ban? The fact we signed a player of his calibre still delights me Fixture congestion? Aye coz we are actually in europe and competing in cups. Big injury list? Yep, still only lost 1 in 10, in all comps. Could have signed more ready made players? Fair but I've begged for an actual medium/long term transfer strategy. This idea that "well they could have done this better" seems a bit bizarre to me.... so what? As long as they overall trend of our strategy and planning is upward, I couldn't give a toss.

If we hold at West Ham, I'd argue that 7 points from those games was fantastic. Man City is a virtual write off.

This is the game to pull the old switcheroo: Pope Lascelles Murphy Dummett Krafth Targett Richie Willock Livramento Joelinton Hall

I don't know what his post football intentions are but if it were me, I'd use the opportunity to do my coaching badges and perhaps even take a training session or two with the u21s. Take his mind off the ban. He doesn't need to have a 4 hour day at the training ground. Ask to be part of the planning etc, who better to learn from than Howe.