Memphis

It is a little tricky, I'd agree. Obviously we need to continually improve the talent at our disposal, not only with the awful reserves but also in the starting XI. Big teams and big clubs constantly push for improvement from within and without. We're a big club and we will start behaving like one, if we haven't already. We need more and better players, without question. That said, we are indeed ahead of schedule because of our squad unity and cohesiveness. Eddie Howe has put together a team that's mentally strong and is filled with desire and determination. That process has taken time, it's organic. Introducing a new player or two into the mix could upset all of that in the short-term, putting us in a position where we have more talent but the results suffer because the communication and cohesion have dipped. I'd argue that a player like Milinkovic-Savic would make more sense in our position right now. We need someone who's mature and mentally ready to come in and fight. We can sort out transfers for younger players as well, but if we're looking to improve our chances to make a Top 4 place our own THIS year, we need an older, calmer player to slot straight in. We've heard that Howe is pushing for players with PL experience and I think that's why. Tielemans/Maddison make sense for this reason, too. In the summer, all bets are off, but for now, I think it is an interesting dilemma. I'm glad we're facing it, mind.

I think it's a distinction without a difference. Our reputation cannot grow without access to that money. It just so happens we seem to have people in place who have spent it wisely, which helps. With that will come some sagas where we're being used to elevate prices/contracts, etc, but by and large, we are consistently linked with and have signed increasingly higher calibre players with each passing window.

I'm going to need to see Moukoko in a black and white top before I believe he's coming. Would be mind-blowing. That type of signing would send an enormous message of intent throughout the footballing world. I don't think we're there yet. Love to see us continue to be lumped in with the elite clubs, though. Our reputation is growing.

It's nice to know there are some things in life you can always count on, no matter how much else changes.

We don't deserve anything from this.

That was appalling.

I think Howe's gotten this one wrong. I can understand the reasoning but he's put too much faith in bad players. Didn't have the right mental approach.

Particularly disappointed with Elliot Anderson. Expected more. He's not ready yet. Ideally he'd go somewhere on loan.

It's clearly something of a myth that we've got adequate depth. We have 6 or 7 excellent players and they're consistently dragging the other players up to a higher level. Without them in the side, the mediocrity is plain to see. More quality is needed desperately.

Teams that want to be great have to keep improving in every way they can. We do have players who can do a job if needed, but we want more than that. At least it appears we do. So it's imperative that we continue signing quality players at every position to improve the standard. And given that we seem to be focusing on signing high character players who have the right attitude, none of them should be offended or upset if they have to compete for their position. This is what it is to be a big club.

Always hate the match at Arsenal. Highbury or the Emirates. Apart from a few notable exceptions, we never seem to do anything other than lose, and often in brutal fashion. Not tonight. What a ballsy performance. Incredible mentality on this group. Many others have said it and I agree - we've never had a better defensive group, and it's come from a manager who was thought of as a huge defensive liability when hired. What a turnaround.

It wasn't a coincidence that Casemiro was able to be more influential going forward when Bruno came on. Did a lot to keep things ticking over and allow him to be more aggressive.

Hey, at least for work permit purposes he doesn't have to play *well*

If I had told you a year ago that Wor Miggy would feature in a ESPN graphic like this about the best XI to miss the World Cup, what would you have said?

The amazing thing with Botman is that he makes the game look so simple. He reads plays so far ahead that he positions himself perfectly more often than not and makes difficult plays look like simple interventions. On top of that he's got an excellent range of passing and, a couple of games aside, has been excellent in starting moves from the back. The very definition of a cultured CB. He's a player you build around.

Howe: Hats off to an explosive start Bruce: Pants off after an explosive shart

Howe: Preparation for the team Bruce: Preparation H bum cream

Howe: Unbelievable concentration levels Bruce: Unbelievable constipation levels

That was a big boy performance. Swaggered around with real confidence and massive energy. Played like title contenders swatting away a smaller side. Just so proud of the entire group. Incredible work.

Listened to almost the entire podcast and wow, Howe comes across as an insanely driven, hyper-professional, super-detailed leader. You can begin to understand why he's had the effect he has on our club when you listen to him. He focuses on the positive aspects of players, gets to know them personally, gets them to invest in each other and truly care, and is a wonderful technical coach on top of that. He could stand to work a little less, I'm sure, for his family life but he doesn't seem to mind a skewed work/home balance. It was a tremendous listen. We could not ask for a better person to be our manager.

So far we have shown most of our interest in two major categories of player: 1. Early 20s, potentially world class but already excellent players playing for good clubs, and who are on manageable wages -- Bruno, Botman, Isak 2. Teenage prospects who we rate as potentially top players - Kuol, the three Brazilian teens, the mackem teen Obviously we signed Burn, Wood, Targett and Trippier in opposition to those trends but Wood/Burn/Targett were needs must signings and Trippier a statement/culture changing one. That first window was a desperate situation but thankfully I think we're past that point now. We spent over half our total on the category 1 players. We identified them very specifically, sought them out, waited patiently and then struck. Our interest in these players isn't always well-known publicly but when they're available, we act quickly. The category 2 players are not as time-sensitive but we do need to get them on board as soon as possible to start acclimating them to our team culture. All of that is to say, it would be very much like us for a player like Moussa Diaby to end up here in January. Maddison too, although at 25 he's maybe a tad older than our norm. Edson Alvarez? Any other type of rumour I tend to dismiss out of hand. We have a specific type and we don't tend to deviate much from it. So no one over 26-27, no one on huge wages, no one who won't immediately push to be a first team member.

It's interesting to watch opponents now laser-focused on limiting the supply to him. Buendía was glued to his hip for the majority of the match, and he often had to deal with two or three players as soon as he touched the ball. But that attention has opened up space and opportunities for Almirón and Trippier on the right - and even the likes of Murphy too. His presence is so important, he just commands attention, and even under duress he's able to advance the ball or make the right pass. And if he gets space, he will always pick a dangerous pass - or strike. Honestly the best overall player we've had in decades, and he's got a chance if he stays long enough to be the best ever.

This man is something special. Wouldn't trade him for anyone else.

Back to Angelo Gabriel - he's 17 and already top 2 or 3 (according to Wyscout data) in the Brasilian top league in dribbles, progressive passes, through balls, smart passes, basically all the stuff we need from our attacking players. He's obviously raw but already making huge impacts in league matches against much more experienced players, and he's part of the national team U20 setup. He looks like he's got all the makings of a future star. The kind of player we need to snap up and mold in our image