STM

Bruno MOM for me.

Fair enough, you didn't specifically say at LB.

Better team, possibly look vulnerable to pace in behind but I'd say we will probably get better in second half.

Let's also be clear, one of their 2 chances was because Burn slipped on his arse. It was just misfortune.

Trippier and Bruno class. Miggy very good. Anderson is growing in front of our eyes. Need Gordon and Isak into this game.

I hate saying this for the umpteenth time but Targett is in front of Hall for LB. Also Hall didn't look anywhere near ready.

Aye a worked it out.

Who's the geordie commentator?

Not so worried about this game. Its the PSG game which we will suffer.

Botman and Bruno are the two players we don't want to lose for any stretch.

Lascelles in apparently

That joel bland reliable?

If we played Brighton now it would be different game. If Villa played us now they'd be a tougher nut to crack too. That's what form is all about. For me Villa look a much tougher side than Brighton and much less likely to be inconsistent.

I'd argue that Burnley is the perfect side for us to play against. They play open.

It's too soon to mention timber. Too soon.

Then PSG Back four + Bruno Longstaff Joelinton Miggy Gordon Wilson

I'm fairly convinced that Joelinton won't start this.... Howe will be desperate for him to play against PSG (there's a sentence I never thought I'd say). I think a fit Joelinton would have made the world of difference in Milan. For that reason, I also think that Tonali may start and Longstaff starts against PSG but that's a tough call. So in theory... Pope Trippier Schar Botman Burn Bruno Tonali Anderson Miggy Gordon Isak

Botman not Bruno and I swear it's all bollocks.

I know its not a "good" thing but it also might not be the worst. Howe said himself that players benefit from just being able to observe the way we do things. I honestly don't think Barnes had hit the ground running anyway. Give us a quality second half of the year Harvey lad.

100% I'm surprised that the journalists even bother anymore. It was clear that Wilson, Tripper, Botman and Burn were all rested and not even considered because of workload. I suspect Schar was only there in an emergency. By the way, I don't know what Pep was doing taking Haaland and not using him. Just leave him out the squad and rest him properly.

I think the plan will always be to save legs of our key players. Getting Trippier to go along with it, might be a different matter.

Are we just assuming that Wilson starts this? I do wonder whether Howe might pull the old switcheroo and save Wilson for PSG. I suppose it entirely depends on our scouting of both sides and where we see weakness.

Don't feel any worry about this. Kompany is too arrogant to change his tactics. His players aren't good enough to play through us AND keep us out. They might score but if they do, we will score more. 4-1

While I agree, he's a player who probably needs a run of games to get into full swing, despite his performance yesterday.

He wanted the ball. Alot can be said for that. He was raw as fuck and I'm not sure on how we employed him positionally. I'd like to see him brought on in a game when we are winning comfortably, when there is plenty of space on the pitch. You rarely see the best of players when you are backs against the wall, well unless you are a centre half etc. It's hardly the best situation to showcase yourself.