STM

Yeah on reflection Leeds are a much weaker side and much more likely to get sucked in, especially without Bamford. Anything that squeezes a big group of clubs together on points, is good for us.

Brighton done us 3 solids in 2 weeks. Burn, Ashworth and beating Watford would be canny.

I'd save Rashford from Man United, if he was willing to move. Give him the number 9, stick him up front. A player with amazing potential but needs to leave OT.

Fair play to Everton, they are doing to Leeds what we did to them. Leeds under pressure of being pulled in.

Don't know if its been suggested but I'd like to see a Glenn Roeder tribute flag, at some point. @Heron Perhaps alongside a few others who have passed, Tiote/ SBR.

Think I haven't quite come to terms with what a stunning job he has done so far. Players are much fitter He tells fans to get pissed after the match He grafts his arse off He plays attacking football He improves individuals (Joelinton, Fraser) He's professional He has balls (not starting Bruno) Results have improved Performances have improved Attitude is better Defence is improving Honestly I'm behind this guy to at least the level I was with Rafa. What really does it for me is that he wants to learn. He's not happy unless he is developing his own management, as opposed to Steve (I've been in the game 40 years) Bruce. Perhaps it's just the contrast between having a shithouse like Bruce but I feel like we've fallen on our feet with Howe.

My gut instinct is that if we are going to be without Trippier for Villa, then we should bring Bruno in to compensate for Trippiers quality on the ball. If Trippier makes it, then I can see the arguement for not changing the midfield. So two scenarios for me: Trippier Lascelles Schar Manquillo Shelvey Willock Joelinton Or: Manquillo Lascelles Schar Burn Shelvey Bruno Joelinton

Personally I think Tarkowski on a free is an absolute no brainer. We are going to have a cull of squad players, especially in defence. Something like: Botman, Burn, Tarkowski and Lascelles (I think Schar may leave), would leave us looking strong. Perhaps another young CB to challenge for places if we need a back 3. Clark, Fernandez and Dummett have no future. Signing Tarkowski on a free doesn't stop us targeting our top targets, it just enhances our squad.

If Trippier is out then Bruno has to start. Go on then, work that little riddle out.

Spot on.

Depends what fee we are talking for Targett, if they ask for the 25m they paid for Digne they can fuck off. 14m seems about right.

Look Robin.... the prat signal has gone up, let's get to RTG before it's too late.

Here's one... would you take Pickford?

Yeah, I reckon we will get one big scalp.

And with a poor defence.

By that time of season strange things happen.

Few PL names: Tarkowski (on a free) Stones Ake Broja Phillips Rafinha Ward-Prowse Zinchenko Bissouma Raul Jimenez Dennis Sarr Gallagher Tony Diaz (Blackburn) (Disclaimer: just throwing these names out there as options, by no means suggesting Tarkowski over Botman for example)

12th on form since Howe came in is one hell of an achievement, especially since we had 4 horrendous fixtures on the spin. We are night and day since Bruce. Form points to us staying up IMO. We will shithouse a few more teams on the road IMO.

Conte acts like such a cunt. Celebrated going 2-1 up like they had won a cup final, despite knowing his team may have committed a foul in the build up. He's such a shithouse.

Happy to accept whatever line up Eddie goes with. We now have nice problems for a change.

What happened to Buendia?

Bruce. "I've only been in 5 days", thats tonight's excuses sorted.

Yeah, it's looking more and more like Willock, at least, has a chance of being the future, where as we know Shelveys days are numbered long term. Shelvey will pick up a knock/suspension soon enough and will never get his place back.

I'm in two minds about this. I don't know if Howe will stick with the side that has won 2 games in a row (Targett aside) or see this game in a completely different light to Everton and play Bruno. I think we would all like to see Bruno start but I can't see any way in which he leaves out Shelvey, Joelinton or Willock until we drop points or its forced in some way. With regards to left back, it will depend on who plays on the right for Villa? If its pace I'd play Manquillo if its someone who cuts in etc, I'd play Burn. In truth, if Burn has a gammy toe, then Howe still won't risk him.

I put this in the pre match thread after watching them against Brentford: "Watched the first half of Everton vs Brentford, doing a bit of scouting for Eddie: -Everton like to fuck about with the ball at the back, so press their defenders. -Their centre midfield of Allan and Andre Gomes look good on the ball but lazy as fuck, Joe should get some joy. -Clear danger of Gray and Richarlison who have massive pace on the break. -Stick someone next to dino-arms on every set piece, he shits himself every time." My first two points were spot on IMO. Their playing out from the back was tragic.