Yorkie

It's beyond over-the-top. I think even the happiest of clappers would concede that the club's transition at the more corporate/strategic level has had a potentially destabilising effect: PSR chicanery, manager having to seek clarity on his role, lack of slickness re transfers, players uncertain about their future... however, we appear to be navigating it pretty well. Especially on the pitch, which is a credit to this cracking bunch of players.

We're not even playing that badly really. It's definitely not sustainable and our sloppiness in possession will see us punished by better teams, but we've started and finished the last two games really well. Neither would have been a smash and grab if we'd nicked it in 90 minutes. Worth reminding ourselves also that there's also another team on the pitch and we're away from home - not the hardest places to go but those fixtures are hardly gimmies. The squad doesn't look totally settled and we look like we're playing with some anxiety; touches are heavy, pace is often half a yard off, and there's a few ounces missing from the physical battles. But you can optimistically say that we're battling through an imperfect period and coming out with good, well-earned results. Onwards and upwards.

Tough one for Chelsea at home to Barrow mind.

Pain in the arse that it's a trip so the way down the country but not gonna complain about that. Fantastic opportunity to progress.

He looked every inch the competent PL midfielder I always expected him to be. No more or less than that.

Deffo; thought he was good as well. Not amazing but a solid performance. Some good forward passes and didn't chuck himself over at any point. Then the penalty of course, which was mint.

Playing out of his fucking skin. Looks equally dangerous on both sides; linked far better with Tino than he did with Hall.

Pope - 6 Tripps - 6 Krafth - 7 Burn - 7 Hall - 6 Tonali - 7 Bruno - 6 Joelinton - 5 (7 in the last quarter) Almiron - 6 Isak - 5 Barnes - 8 (motm) Tino - 7 Longstaff - 7 Gordon - 7

I don't think there's too much to be upset about tonight, like. We're hardly purring but we've shown a lot of mettle to get some great results. Work to be done to get our football improving but some solid foundations.

I know we weren't brilliant but fucking come on. Can't not love that. Great scenes, especially with Sandro.

Well done, lads. Fucking brilliant. We grew into that and had the strength of character to get the job done. Another SHIT of a draw navigated. Howay the fucking lads.

Gtfi

Thought we were a lot, lot better in the last quarter. Pity we couldn't find the winner.

He's had plenty of opportunities to contribute to the play in the final third and it's bounced off him or he's punted it into the opposition. Obviously agree that we should be doing everything to involve him but he needs to pick his arse up tonight.

Think that's being very forgiving; he's been crap.

Yeah, a clear problem again. Mind you, we could do with at least one recipient of a forward pass controlling the ball, regardless of who's delivering it.

Pleased to have the lead but we've been rubbish in possession. Miggy and Sandro 7s, everyone else nowhere near really. Isak has been absolutely shite aside from the goal involvement - couldn't trap a bag of cement.

Looks heartbroken poor lad

Sorry, not an original thought, but I really love this guy. He's a sensational player but also seems entirely genuine about his love for the club and has shown an amount of loyalty which I feel is rare in the modern game. I doubted his suitability as captain but I think I was wrong about that. The Tonali stuff summing it up. He's well on the way to legendary status. The picture of him lifting a trophy doesn't take a lot of imagining.

I accept that signing better players increases the possibility of a good season. What it doesn't do is remove the temptation Bruno might have to join Man City/Real Madrid, or remove Gordon's interest in a vengeful redemption arc in the city of Liverpool. Players might leave - that's something you just have to come to terms with. Raising the point in the context of a lack of signings just reads like trying to find yet more reasons to be miserable and critical.

Dunno why folks get het-up equating transfer activity with star player vulnerability. If Bruno, Isak and Gordon perform amazingly they could leave regardless of who we buy/where we finish.

Absolutely mad if he's captain, like. Surely not.

Really weirdly out of date, too. It would have been inappropriate when it first came out, let alone once he's (hopefully) moving past it.

We've had their number down there since they came back up so am feeling optimistic. Really looking forward to seeing Sandro and hopefully Osula. It'll probably be close; wouldn't be surprised if it goes to pens. Solid win and then Barrow at home in the next round. Christ are we due a decent draw.

I don't think you have to wait ages. It could take very little time to make a fair judgement; if the team performs badly/brilliantly immediately (and for a sustained period) then you can probably conclude quite quickly that the transfer window was a failure/success. However, if we're competitive and experience the usual ebbs and flows, it's going to take time to make a definitive call on whether we did enough. This is broadly on the proviso that we sign a CB but not a RW. If we get neither I wouldn't knock anyone for saying we've under-delivered. But only post-window.