STM

Perhaps Karius is now comfortable playing 2nd/3rd choice. Alot of goalkeepers end up like this. I mean, if you saw his bird, you'd see why he's a very happy bloke. Wonder where this leaves Dubravka in the summer.

Marsch seems to be one of those coaches who relies entirely on talking a good game and motivating his players. I'm not sure there's much more to him than that. I'm about 80% certain it will end in Leeds getting relegated or Leeds sacking him before they go down. Not necessarily this year mind.

Tell me you don't watch football, without telling me you don't watch football.

I was thinking he could have controlled it and took it in his stride.

Arsenal signing Rice would be the perfect poetic justice for Chelsea getting Mudryk.

Reckon Rafa to West Ham is a real possibility.

I've said from day one that things won't happen for us until the last week or 10 days. Hopefully start hearing something concrete after Palace.

Gallagher, I think would be a good fit and Howe would turn him into a consistent top player. He's got similar attributes to Longstaff but also some end product. He's also an England International and its important we try and have a few embedded in our squad, where possible. If we could get a loan with an option, I think that would be perfect. RLC I'm not so sure about. He often seems injured. He's a good player but whether he's got it in himself to make that leap further? He's versatile, which is something Eddie would want. Ziyech, on loan would be an incredible addition. He's a door opener. Long term, no thanks.

How's Bruno?

Well that depends what type of doctor you are; animal doctor? (from the horses mouth), do you work with mental patients or perhaps those with dementia?

If Bruno is missing then Maxi will come in and Joelinton will go central with Longstaff playing the 6. Wilson does seem out of form but for context, the last 3 games have been Arsenal (fair enough), Leeds (who played a low block) and Fulham (was unlucky not to score and got an assist). Stick with Wilson for now. He will get injured soon enough.

sorry if giggs. Spot our paully in the pink jacket. Celebrating the goal as the cross goes in.

Poor set pieces again and two really poor passes that put us into trouble. He's also conceded a pen.

I think in hindsight he wishes he'd switched it up from the start as a few players looked laboured. Even Murphy and Wood injected energy into our game late on. However, he was brave with his subs and it paid off. Ultimately he needs a couple more to come in and give him really options.

Was about to say he's cut out the "getting caught dawdling" thing he used to do.

He's an emotional guy. Don't read anything until we hear.

I'd be shocked if he missed more than a game.

Stuff like this does my head in. We are 3rd in the best league in the world and Longstaff has started the vast majority of games for us.

I can tell you with a fair degree of certainty that we will be buying a quality CM this window.

He's clearly lost confidence in shooting too, pulled out of a couple of chances to shoot today.

Yeah, that's why we need to be careful.

The key is finding quality who also buy into the work ethic.

Players like Longstaff are still trying to build trust with the fans. I think it's high time he's given a break. We know he lacks quality but he's our engine man and we've had plenty of years of heartless fuckers in there.

Palace are all over the place and we are away from home (which I think we need). Couldn't be a better fixture.