Gallowgate Toon

Midfield is nowhere to be seen, up front one-paced and too similar.

Chelsea have just chucked away a seasoned manager that showed excellent form for half a season for... Enzo Maresca. He's a totally unproven gamble they've employed to not push back on transfer choices. It shows that they're still running at least a portion of a clown show. Olise showed last summer he takes his career seriously, I think he'd want more assurances of the stability of the project.

Bellingham just feels like he has something that nobody else in this team does and it's pure self belief. He doesn't seem to need system safety blankets or feel scared of consequences - just pure he is him stuff and he loves it.

I have a feeling we might bring out a back 3 more this season and he seems absolutely perfect for a LCB in that structure. Very, very handy player if he can stay fit.

Tomorrow is going to be a struggle in the self-restraint department.

Still occasionally think about him pinging a sweeping switch with his left against Villa like it was nothing. Can't wait to see him back.

Gordon said his preferred position is left but he didn't say he doesn't like the right. I thought BIG looked pretty dynamite against Spurs, tbh, and I think Howe sees games and situations for it as well.

No chance Chelsea are kicked out of the EL for dodgy finances?

Quite weird that we flew a few across the world who aren't in a summer tournament to stay for 3 days.

It's all about pathways innit. This lad is very young for a 'keeper and, if we're in Europe, should see plenty of gametime in a bedding in season. Pope now has a question mark with his shoulder and is getting a bit older but still a good age for a GK - we have a period coming up where we can probably make some decent money on him.

What a waste for such a talented player.

If he can stay fit, he'll be an absolutely fantastic addition to the squad. He's almost perfectly built for the hybrid LCB/LB role when we're more likely to be on the defensive side in matches imo. Barring injury, Hall will be our main LB next season but I think we'll see some 3 at the back tinkering with Hall pushing up to LWB.

Palace have had about 6 good games They have some good players but their hyping because of one good run has been fairly mental imo. Ah well, onto the next one. Lots of good operators for this position imo.

Moron.

He's played a lot of full-throttle football over the last couple of years to a very high standard. Personally, I'm sure he stays, but we need to make sure we have enough in the squad to continue to bring out the best in him but, most importantly, protect his fitness.

Sounds like he just needs to sack off JT, since they generally split defensive and offensive coaching Not sure how we're going to do it but if we give him the right tools, we'll win something next season and play some bloody good football along the way.

Aye, he's the real deal.

A strange end to a strange season. Some fantastic memories made but not too gutted it's over, it's been very intense. Feels like everyone needs a break. Hopefully, City batter Man U in the cup. It's not unimportant to finish above another Big 6er either but it's a very small consolation for a season where I thought we'd finally break our duck.

Frustrating to see him back and quickly showing his level. Just shows how important physical presence is in the PL. We want to have increased technical ability, of course, but the best midfields in the league all have athleticism.

It's actually quite annoying watching Joelinton and Pope back for us. What could have been. Jk, class to go out with a bang. Let's get at least 5.

Agreed with the Man U sentiments. Really not had any connection with him since the loan.

I genuinely can't remember the last time he put in a good tackle.

What I like most about him is that he takes responsibility on the ball himself. Really, really impressive.

Pope injury aside, I do think the midfield away from home has been our biggest problem. Not enough physicality to grab games, not enough technical ability to help us control pace and build play, but also seemingly awful at winning second balls. All the good things you see away teams coming here and doing we've not been able to do. I don't think it's a shock when you consider the other mids who've played most have been Longstaff and probably Miley. I feel like we'd have been able to get around this more with physical players up top who could help us gain territory but only Wilson has the profile for that really.

Aye, same. Murphy does have good moments in him, his delivery can be excellent, but I find all other attributes of his game are so variable that they can really hinder us in general play. He's not canny with the ball, it's a bit all or nothing depending on his one trick.