STM

Sometimes managers know they have a good player but can't really keep hold of them. It says alot about a club if they grant a young players wish to leave for first team football.

What Lampard has done with Iwobi deserves massive credit. He's turned him into a midfield enforcer like Joelinton. Not as good obvs.

Has a C-list derby vibe about it. Ultimately, we have to be confident that we will dominate the ball and territory, its a case of can we score and not make a stupid error like against Bournemouth.

I don't worry about us losing but I can see a 0-0.

I'm oddly not so confident. I hope to god that Howe goes in strong on Everton. I'd rather we rested players away to Spurs. If Bruno and Wilson play I reckon we will get the win.

Can't wait to play these cunts at SJP.

Woah woah woah we've got the best defence in the worrrrld... We've got Kieran Trippier Big Sven Botman Fabian Schar and Dan Burrrrn.

Question for the football hipsters: If we had 30/40m to spend on a top class "Botman-esq" left back, presumably from Europe somewhere... where do we look? Long term, we need someone better on the ball but preferably with the physicality to go with it. I'm not even suggesting in the summer by the way because I do like Targett and Burn, it just seems there's a lack of quality left backs knocking around.

Manquillo seems to be persona non grata. I don't know what's happened but you have to assume he wouldn't go from, never in the match day squad, to straight into the first team. I'm not even sure he is training with the squad. I can't remember the last time I have seen him.

This is the problem though, we already signed one and he's bloody injured. I had the same internal discussion about right back. What if Trippier picks up a knock, we are fucked. What do we do, sign another right back? Then have 3 when Krafth returns? Best case scenario for striker is that someone like Fulham need a Mitro stand in and we can flog them Wood for 10m. We could then turn our attention to someone like Joao Pedro etc but it's a real juggling act. On right back, I'd seriously consider going after Lamptey who doesn't seem to get game time at Brighton. I reckon Howe would turn Lamptey into a top rank right back, especially with Trippier mentoring him.

@Heron Just wondering if this one got any traction? Also, it's getting to that time where Sven Botman needs a personalised flag like Bruno, Joelinton, Miggy and ASM did. Reckon an orange one with something like "The Dutch master" would look ace. ?

Weird because I reminded myself of the last amazing 0-0 performance at OT in 2003 when Woodgate was absolutely unbelievable in that game. A lot of similarities between the two.

I reckon a more traditional DM next summer will certainly be on the cards. Shelvey still has a huge role to play this season.

At this stage a Diaby, Harrison or Maddison who can all play in multiple positions would be perfect for us. We need talent and versatility in forward areas.

I thought he was OK. We lost territory in the middle when he went off.

Hardly sounds like someone who's not going to be involved.

Did I miss something with Joelinton?

Realistically, Wilson is going to get rested for either this or Spurs. I expect a raft of changes. Lascelles will come in for Schar. Pope Trippier Lascelles Botman Targett Longstaff Joelinton Willock Miggy Murphy Wood It honestly could be any amount of changes. Wouldn't be shocked to see Fraser or Anderson get the nod either. Hopefully, Bruno came off in order to preserve him for a big week. Of course there is no point asking Eddie because he's like Pinnochio when it comes to team selections.

A couple of times in the first half his passes were putting our forward players in danger of losing the ball, however... After that he was unreal. He's got absolutely everything.

Target of 1.5 PPG, that draw puts us on exactly 1.5 PPG (15 points divided by 10 games). I think more significantly our likely rivals for 7th are being inconsistent at best. Of course we are assuming Liverpool will revive themselves before the end of the season. Edit: Brighton of course are our biggest contender by far.

That draw, without several of our best players, tells me that we aren't a flash in the pan. We are tough, stubborn, smart and a bitch to play against. That we keep getting results despite lady luck throwing injuries our way, bodes very well.

If we want to win the league, we are going to have to go to the lesser sides like Man Utd and win. A bit frustrating that Man Utd held on to a draw. Constant diving for penalties by them tells its only story.

Get Willock on for Murphy

My stream has Rafa and Shay Given. Both say it was a pen.

We've not got out of 3rd gear IMO. We need to up the tempo and finish these cunts off.