Conjo

While I believe Burnley has a better player replacing him, they are at the moment the least of our threats in the relegation battle. We're better off with Wood up front than any other options available to us. I think he'll get us a couple of crucial goals by end of the season and he'll have done what we needed him to do in order to stay up which ultimately justifies the fee that was paid. Yesterday was his best game for us so far.

Man Utd wouldn't have gotten him for £12m. We got him for that initial fee because it will rise significantly when we stay up.

Reading a Pickford thread on an Everton forum today is quite funny

I think I was at 4 before Everton, and changed it to 3 now.

I would really, really like to see Bruno starting but I have confidence in Howe doing what is right. If that means starting him, fantastic, if not, that is fine too. The way the team fought yesterday give merit to Howes philosophy of trusting players that are performing, and on the back of 2 wins it could do more harm than good to the group by replacing Willock, Shelvey or Joelinton for Bruno now. We've seen with Clark and Ritchie that players that doesn't perform get replaced fairly quickly so unless either of our central midfielders have a stinker against Villa, gets injured or suspended it could be some agonizing weeks until we see Bruno finally start a match. Not saying it will happen, and personally I hope he starts asap, but I can see it potentially playing out like that, and I would hope that doesn't result in Howe getting flak from the fans.

We're out of the relegation zone, we've strengthened the team considerably, we've got a competent manager and have won 2 in a row for the first time since May 21. I just can't fathom how you can think we are more likely to be relegated than not.

Was desperate for him to come on around the 60 minute mark, but in hindsight it was probably better to put him on when we were 2 up with less pressure although he is clearly more than capable of handling it. Great way for him to be introduced to the fans with the fantastic ovation he got, and luckily he didn't need more minutes than he got to show us what he's capable of.

First 10 minutes or so I got Danny Simpson vibes from him in that he appeared solid enough defensively but just punted the ball aimlessly in the general direction of Wood. Then he really grew into the game with some nice tackles, interceptions, won all (?) air duels, good crosses and general neat passing. If it weren't for Trippier and ASM he'd be my MOM today.

Within 1 minute he wins the ball and plays ASM through on goal. Amazing

Trippier

I'd like to have a look at our sexy new Brazilian now Howe!

Trippier been so good. Oozes class.

Impossible that we can be in the lead without Bruno on the pitch.

Right on the button by Pickford on Braithwaite

It's a god damn mystery how he can be so good in our half and up to the opponents edge of the box, and turn into the second coming of bambi on ice the second his feet crosses the line into the opponents box

Love it! I feel we are always the team that put the foot on the brakes and concede right after we've gone one up. Feels nice to be on the equalising end.

Have a feeling we'll win this. Hope we get to see Bruno on for a good amount of time in the second half. Let's fucking go!

I'm on a red dead redemption binge. Can't help it partner.

Soiled. Breeches.

Many soiled breeches in here because a player who's been in the country for 3 days and has had maybe 2 training sessions with the team isn't starting one of the most important matches of the season.

Ouch

2 goals against us for Sunderland. 8 in 25 total.

Post match Tifo stream saying the ball was in play for 40 minutes during normal time in the final.

Looking at him play, he still seems as sharp as he was back with us. Some people say that players have a certain mileage before their legs go - could it be that HBA taking time off has helped him prolong his career at the level he's playing?