The Prophet

He'd be very Man United or Chelsea.

If anything the League Cup has become more serious this decade. Largely due to Man City and Liverpool treating it with so much respect. It's not a slight against Bodo, they've done incredibly well to reach the SF. But Bilbao were by far the strongest team left in the last eight. It doesn't mean that it's not entertaining, just that the quality of side involved has been diluted.

It has been rather unserious this year.

I'm not sure they do tbh. Even so their clubs are ultimately fan owned, which leads to more favorable fan treatment. I'm not sure how you frame that as a bad thing.

What myth? Surely the more fun involvement in football, the better?

What a strange take.

Bilbao should beat them at least.

Is this the final?

The last thing we need to crack is our away record against the better sides. I have no doubt it'll come with time.

Win our home games and we should be alright. Anything away from home is a bonus and takes the pressure off those matches.

Nah, he's very good. Their defence was left completely exposed last night

Was just thinking that, he's due to take someone apart.

If it was two players jumping for a header, it wouldn't even have been checked.

Aye, they probably need to win either here or at the Etihad.

I don't think it was a horrific call or out, but for me the penalty decision falls into the category of re-refing the game. It's not clear and obvious and should defer to the on field decision.

Villa don't lose many at home, but they do draw quite a few. Also fancy it to be quite a high scoring affair. 2-2

Probably a reach, but it seems like we're playing with more energy now. I wonder if we were being a bit more conservstive earlier in the season.

Not the end of the world if we lose on Sunday, but a point would be great. Nice position to be in.

Yeah, he has to be the best midfielder I've seen in a Newcastle shirt. Incredible.

Isak's family there tonight. Hopefully he puts on a show.

The Spanish press have already turned on him

Why is this fat slug at the top of the forum again?

Ah yes, just about mopped up.

Arsenal fans already peddling conspiracy theories. They're mental.

It'll be a hard game for sure, but they are loose at the back. It probably accounts for the amount of draws they've had at home. Leicester, Ipswich and West Ham have all bagged there, with the latter two claiming a point. Still, I'd happily shake hands on a point if offered.