STM

I know, I just can't believe it. What on earth. Is Sam Fender doing ours on Sunday?

It's not surely?

That push not a pen like.

Think it's Scholes.

What was Gyorkes doing?

Horrific goalkeeping mind.

Good start for Amoron.

This is an excellent post. It highlights that basically Longstaff plays more conservative and it benefits the team. Which comes back to the balance arguement.

Sounds like a good arguement but Willock and Tonali don't get into any of them top teams either. Its pointless concocting little hypotheticals to prove why we all should hate Longstaff, especially since nobody is saying he's a great player and more that he doesn't deserve the sheer unjustified shite he gets during match's. We should upgrade Longstaff but we still haven't. If Tonali comes into the starting 11 and completely out- performs Longstaff, great, but it hasn't happened yet and I don't think he will because I'm not sure that's where Tonali should be playing.

That's a good story but nobody thinks he should play just because of an engine. He should play because he does the job that the team needs. I'm absolutely for Tonali playing ahead of Longstaff, provided that the team performs well with him there.

I agree with that. I suppose my point is that our balance always looks better with Longstaff (and I don't rate him as a great player with the ball). I think we've also seen the importance of Willock too. I don't think we could swap Tonali and Longstaff in Saturdays set up, unless we moved Bruno into Longstaffs position. For whatever reason, Tonali 8 and Bruno as a 6 hasn't worked.

Of course Bruno isn't the problem but it's extra proof that Longstaff isn't the problem either. Nobody suggests Bruno is shite, Longstaff gets called shite all of the time though.

Joelinton going left is massive but I feel there is a lot of mental gymnastics going with regards to refusing to admit that Longstaff, while not as talented, actually plays for the team and that the team benefits when he's in the side. However, I would 100% like to see Tonali in Brunos position and Bruno where Longstaff is. If that worked, we could go to another level.

You accept it would be mental for him not to start the next game though right? You also accept that we are clearly a better side when he's involved?

Really like ESR, he's the real deal. Such a wonderful technician.

Sorry, when I said plateau, I didn't necessarily mean I didn't think they would make a recover. I don't think they will win the league though.

He made a key pass for the goal mind.

Being sensible for a second, Arteta has done a great job at Arsenal. He completely reformed their side, made it bright and gave them a solid defence. He also got them to a whisker off the title.... However, he was given ridiculous amounts of money and looks as though they may have plateaued. Some of their signing seem dull. The look gassed from last year. Of course the worst thing for them is that Arteta is incredibly unlikeable. I imagine he's an absolute cunt to get on with.

Our side that finished 4th: Pope Trippier Schar Botman Burn Bruno Longstaff Willock Miggy Joelinton Isak Our side yesterday: Pope Tino Schar Burn Hall Bruno Longstaff Willock Gordon Joelinton Isak The core was there yesterday 7 of the 11 being the same. Gordon is an upgrade on Miggy. Hall is becoming a better player than Burn. Tino hasn't quite got the beating of that seasons Trippier yet IMO. The big miss is Botman (Not that I'm knocking Burn). Botman is different gravy and the sooner he's back and perhaps we reinforce CB in January, I feel we will flourish. I love Tonali, but it's now on him to out perform Longstaff when given the chance. It's also game over for one of Miggy/Murphy. The fact Barnes came on for Gordon speaks volumes.

When he plays on the left, he's like having an extra CM and a winger at the same time, and he guarantees that his left back gets adequate cover. I think his days of CM are numbered, other than the odd game. Still astonishing me what a transformation it is since his Bruce days.

They are just different types. Tino is more Reece James. Hall is more Luke Shaw. Power and pace. Composure and passing.

@Unbelievable I will help you out on this one and show how an adult should approach these conversations. I was wrong on both Hall and Howe. I though Howe would start Kelly and push Hall to the sidelines. I was wrong. I didn't doubt Hall mind and this season I've been nothing but impressed by his technical output. He's getting better and better and I'm buzzing for him.

Longstaff was class. Hall was class. Eddie Howe is class. That will do me for tonight.

Looked uncoached to me.

Longstaff has been superb. I'm in the ground whatever difference that makes.