The Prophet

He's done an incredible job, especially given his budget and the sales he's had to endure. If we were looking for pure continuity, he'd be a good pick. Obviously seems a bit more flexible on the transfer front too.

I definetly think you could get away with it at least a bit more a few seasons ago. Howe was a bit of a trailblazer for the physical, man-to-man, duelfest Premier League football has become. It now means pretty much every game is an energy sapping slog. Adapt or die, I suppose.

His teams are super high energy and tend to burn out, similar to us in the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons. As a result, they're also incredibly streaky. I think if his side qualified for Europe he'd have to learn the hard way, just like Howe has and go through a similar evolution.

He's got some limitations to his game. He's done an excellent job at Bournemouth though, no doubt.

I'm not convinced they're that arsed about challanging.

At least he might to find a club to rebuild his reputation when he's binned in the new year.

I assume he's staying if his exit hasn't been announced yet? More than happy to keep him around the squad. He's a standard setter and a leader in group that's losing a lot of good lads this summer. I do think he's on the decline now and wouldn't want him starting too many games, but no harm in taking up a Lascelles type role.

Top geezer, a great professional and a ideal squad player. No thrills, but came in and did a solid job whenever called upon.

Seems above board and not at all open to abuse.

Celtic fans and the Scottish Refereeing Assicistion in absolute dreamland.

If Howe isn’t the answer, I don't think he will be either.

So that's... A non-penalty for Hearts v Hibs. A controversial last minute penalty for Celtic v Hibs. A harsh penalty to Celtic in the decider. In the last three games. At least pretend you aren't bent lads.

Seems Palace are going to have a free run at Iraola.

They weren't coping until they recruited. They saw they were struggling and took action. It's something we can learn from.

To put it in context. The first time we didn't cope with the Champions League and had a mad injury crisis. We finished on 60 points. Fine margins.

That was exactly the point I was making.

They were no where near until their January business came good. Hence the second part of my point, Asensio and Rashford gave them momentum.

They did until Asensio and Rashford settled.

Even if Villa win at the Etihad on the final day, they can't top last season's total of 66 points, when they finished 6th. It also would have only been good enough for 6th the two years prior to that. Mad how much the table has leveled out this season. Can only be a good thing.

*60

Sitting 4th with a standing total of 62 points, going into the last game, is much lower than previous years, it's been a strange old season.

It's a very reliable account, despite the dodgy name.

Agreed, a lack of leadership and nous have been evident throughout the season.

The structure of the defence is a concern going forward, particularly given how proactive Howe likes his CBs to be. Individually Thiaw has been good though. I actually think he's outperformed expectations given this is his first season in the league, he's played too many games and the amount of covering he's had to do for Trippier.

Thiaw can't have been a rare bright spark this season for the same reasons Ramsey’s excellent spell between February and March is underplayed, while some were unable to just say "well played" when Elanga scored twice at the Nou Camp. The idea that we "wasted £250 million" in the summer is set in stone, can't be having any nuance challanging that narrative.