Gallowgate Toon

Cabaye was a grafter and, for me, more of a moments player. It often felt like chunks of the game could pass him by but he'd keep working away and pop up with some real quality. It didn't feel like he dominated midfields very often, but that was sort of the style of our team anyway.

Do atmospheres ever transfer well on TV? There's just the unexplainable buzz that's about the place when you're in the ground, it's not only about singing for 90 mins straight.

He really is like many midfielders rolled into one. And he's good-to-very-good at pretty much everything. I still think he's best suited to us playing alongside someone a bit deeper and more naturally defensive, but he showed last night how well he can mix it up playing in that role too. I absolutely love watching him play football - he's just different to a lot of what you see now.

That was fucking amazing. The atmosphere

Personally, my overriding feeling about this saga is that it's mainly a really tacky approach, more than anything, and incredibly shit global marketing (which is supposedly the primary strategy for sportswashing).

Some of the journalists have good points but too often temper it by writing a novel about how they feel. Then you get stuff like this which is just absolute shite.

I think Bruno could play as a DM in this league but only against the weaker sides where we want to control tempo - and, really, this would be to play him as a deep lying playmaker rather than a true DM. Against good teams who often have very athletic players, it puts a lot of pressure on him that I think mitigates his best abilities in the PL. One of the best things about him is his versatility to progress play; he's a great passer with good range, yes, but he also looks to find gaps, play 1-2s, take on a man etc. Basically, he's an option as deepest mid but I don't think it's where he should be the majority of the time. I think Phillips is great foil for him, tbh, if he's still the same player he was.

Basically, as expected. Some decent parts in the first 30 minutes but we've been very flat since the second went in. Get some Trips and Wilson minutes.

He's a solid defender who can cover multiple positions but, perhaps most importantly, is someone who knows the club, tries 100% even in training, and is popular among the squad. Howe seems to understand the importance of a club's culture & identity; I wouldn't be surprised to see him keep some unfashionable players around the place over the next few years who serve a utility purpose. The big caveat is his fitness, of course, but he's likely not going to be playing much anyway, as has already been said.

City will likely turn us over but it's as good a chance as any to get a result. This has happened so much to them now that some genuine despondency might creep in for a bit.

Very stupid thing to say when you're out of form and have struggled to string 2 good performances together for months. Perhaps a defence mechanism, as I imagine the question was a loaded one as he's referencing Mane, but it doesn't make the answer any better.

Abysmal extra time from City. They're a frustrating team to watch - overly coached, imo, as they rarely seem willing to take a risk when they really need to. Far, far too predictable on the ball and too many one pacers.

Next season, I want to establish ourselves as a top 10 team with a progressive playing style for the future and make a serious go of the cups.

It's OK to sign the odd player who is out form etc. It becomes more of a problem when you start stockpiling your squad full of footballers on a downward trajectory. Would absolutely take Rashford!

James Alcott nicely summarised Wood's importance to the current team a little while back, imo. One of the best things he's done is win flick-ons because it's allowed us to relieve some pressure & start to press up as a team on many occasions (pressing is our most effective open play tactic, imo). Obviously, you'd prefer they actually landed in the stride of a player but we're not exactly risk takers in terms of off the ball runs so it's pretty hard to achieve that. The alternative is the ball coming straight back into dangerous areas which is what would happen with Gayle starting (he definitely doesn't have the legs to play as a lone striker for the majority of matches anymore either) while we're unable to consistently build possession from the back. But he's evidently not the answer. In fact, even if Wilson were fit, I don't think even he's a good option if we're going to continue to play the same shape. He loses the ball a fair bit but is obviously an excellent finisher. Different story if the plan is to go 4-4-2 though... Wood's best moment was that weird turn he did to set up a break to set up against Brighton. Weirdly class and deserved an assist

What's wrong with Zaha? I like him as a footballer but he seems incredibly fragile as a person.

Not sure what happened after the hour mark. Going for the counter felt more planned this time - looked like Howe was motioning for players to hold shape a lot. He's usually shouting to push up. We were dealing well with their press in the first. Thought we could've managed the second a lot better & carried on attacking. Still, another 3 points, man. Amazing.

I just want to watch him play football. It's so fun.

That was like MLS Miggy. Direct, athletic, and with some ability too! There's definitely some great chemistry there with Bruno. They feel on eachother's wavelength in terms of when to play and when to keep it simple. See how he does the next few games.

I really like Ando he's so fucking dour sometimes but that's part of his charm. Makes it all the sweeter when he gets genuinely excited in the moment.

Toney would be an excellent striker for the squad but I'd want us to aim higher for a starter.

Fancy this to be a decent game. Palace are a good team who will give us problems but will also likely leave enough space for us to have a go too. Can't wait to watch Bruno play again. 2-1.

Would start him tomorrow instead of Big Joe.

He's been really fucking good for pretty much his entire time here. Been very handy going forward as well considering his rep at other clubs for being a defensive full back.

My voice is gone after the celebrations. Pint in town after the match and it was bouncing. Fucking perfect, man.