Chicken Dancer

Sorry to be xenophobic but I hope that German gurning nonce enjoyed that. one more win lads. Towns bouncing and I wish it was a weekend so I could text me dealer.

The fucks the point in that then just ban the nonce now.

So hang on, he’s suspended for the Villa game but allowed the Southampton one, or have I read that wrong?

I do agree with this, much like I do about our Top 4 chances! All about taking the opportunities when presented. As funny as it is with them fucking it, it can't be denied that having at least one fit CB would have made a huge difference against the tactics Luton employed in the second leg. Sunderland's 2 CBs probably had a combined height of 6ft Funny though, I took some ribbing from a few red & whiters when we lost the final (even during the game ffs) , and most recently when we lost to Arsenal. I generally don't like to throw one back but I couldn't resist on Tuesday.

It will be interesting to see what expectations are like next season. As you said, nobody could have envisaged what happened in 22/23, so if you aren't amongst it next season will the fans give patience? We aren't exactly renowned for being the patient type up here. I genuinely think you'll miss out on the play-offs next year just due to the names in the league (devils advocate there's also a scenario where you are pushing for top 2) but will come back stronger in 24/25. Fair enough re: Mowbray though, I suppose you have to trust the owners as they seem to get a lot right thus far. That being said, naturally I hope it goes terribly wrong and you linger in the lower leagues for eternity, but I do think you'll be back within 3/5 years.

It'll be the most interesting Championship for years next year. Watford, Norwich, Boro, Sunderland, West Brom, Southampton, Leicester and Leeds/Everton, not to mention there's always a couple of surprise packages who nobody expects to be up there. No denying you play some good football and were unfortunate that injuries meant that you had to play makeshift CB for the semi, but like you say a good season nonetheless. Most of my red & white mates acknowledge they deserved to go out but remain pretty upbeat about the future. Replacing Diallo's output will be difficult though. Would be extremely harsh to sack Mowbray for some trendy coach from the continent imo, but maybe this was always the plan? Would be interesting to see what would have happened if he had taken you up.

Has anybody watched Miley play before? Interested to know what type of midfielder he is.

Look at tonight as a semi-final and Monday as the final (should we win tonight). Every time the League Cup draw was done and we realised it was at home we were over the moon. These 2 should be no different. Actually think it would make qualifying 100x better the fact that we have the chance to do it this way - at home, under the lights with the pressure on a little. In my humble opinion I'd much rather do it this way than cantering to it (despite my constant worries in this very thread ). Naturally we all wanted it done asap so we could all relax but doing it this way with Liverpool breathing down our necks would be amazing.

Imperative we take our chances when presented. They allow you to have chances due to their style. We could also do with them reverting to the Potter years and having chances and seemingly never scoring! Really confident that if we score first we will win by at least a couple. They would gladly settle for a point but they'd never set up like that, I don't think.

Exactly! Let's be honest, Arsenal beat us because they were defending a lead from a 25 yard shot that went through Schar's legs. We hit the post within 2 minutes and if that goes in, it's completely different and we're probably talking about tonight as win and we're in. People are more nervous about Brighton because of their result at Arsenal, quickly forgetting they've recently lost to Forest and were smashed by an Everton team we've recently smashed ourselves. We're 3rd top after 35 games - that isn't by accident. They'll be full of confidence after Sunday but they're also quite thin in terms of injuries and inexperienced in this sort of situation (as are we). The Emirates was flat due to Man City beating Everton just prior - St James' will be absolutely bouncing tonight. We score within the first 20 we will win comfortably imo. The longer it goes scoreless it does suit them, for sure. My overriding worry for this game is how we react to the pressure. 12 points has quickly became 1 point - but as Trippier often says - 'pressure is a privilege'. My overriding confidence is that when we've had big home games this season in the league or cup, we show up and generally win; Man Utd, Spurs & Southampton/Leicester in the cup. Liverpool I'm discounting because a) it didn't really have much riding on it at the time b) it was a week before our first cup final in fucking years c) we were down to 10 after about 25 minutes. Howay the fucking Lads!

Bring back Danby IMO. Legend.

Really feel like we owe Liverpool after the Keegan 4-3, the numerous pastings they've given us over the years, our horrendous record at Anfield and definitely for that game back in August - the thought of that costing us Top 4 knocks me sick. Honestly if we do this whilst they've won their final 9 games will be the sweetest thing ever. It all comes down to tomorrow in my opinion. Absolutely massive.

I think we're going to do these you know. Think it will be more comfortable than we all think. Just think it'll be like the Spurs, Man Utd and the cup games against Leicester & Southampton. I understand Brighton pose a much greater threat than arguably all of them, but the feeling I have is very similar to all of them; we will win mainly due to the stakes and how the crowd will be. I understand the atmosphere tailed off in the Southampton game, but we started all of them games so fast feeding off of the energy the crowd provided. Not sure if it's the mackems losing that's giving me confidence but I just have a feeling we will win by at least a couple of goals.

Can’t help but think this whole episode is canny hilarious. No Diallo or Stewart next year either

Luton need another, think the mackems will definitely score.

Both things can absolutely be true. If you'd asked me after the final would I have taken Europa League...definitely. I obviously would have taken it in August. If we don't get it, being 9 points clear with 15 to play for, personally I would be gutted. I'm sure in the near future I'd look back fondly at this season as one of my favourites ever following Newcastle home and away - especially after not giving a fuck for 2 and a half years. But it doesn't change the fact I'd be gutted and see it as a huge missed opportunity. Anyways, we're going to do Brighton and then we're going to do Leicester and we'll be partying in West London on the 28th whilst Jurgen talks about our ceiling and gurns all summer, after winning his final 9 games. Sickener for you.

I'll be tempted tonight when they inevitably win and the cash-out should reach over a grand in total off my numerous bets. I'm off on holiday with the family in June and have a stag in July, so it would be nice to think the spends are free. I do hope I'm cashing absolutely fuck all though, want them to rot forever and ever. They will go through though, everything has fell for them over the last 4 weeks.

Aye, they are desperate for any sort of European football. They actually don't seem confident....maybe they should spend a day on here listening to me

I'd definitely be playing ASM for this regardless, but this would cement my view. Even on his off days, teams are scared of him and often opens up space elsewhere. A makeshift RB will be shitting it, regardless of your view on ASM's consistency. His most recent injury was bad timing as he was starting to play really well I thought. I'd play him left and Isak through the middle, starting Wilson against Leicester.

It's such a shame Longstaff is out as he'd have been a huge help nullifying Estupinan & Mitoma on our right side. Miggy will have to work very hard assuming he is the starter here. Really can't wait for this now. The mood - even though it's not low or owt like that - will be lifted so much if we win. Could even knock the stuffing out of Liverpool a bit too.

Always thought it was born from Brugge - Fulham away a few days later. Could be completely wrong - probably am given I was out of it on very strong Belgian beer and some extra-strong party paracetamol for 3 nights

How I wish this was a Friday night game. Hopefully the atmosphere is just as bouncing. Very difficult game and as others have said, not a great match up for us in terms of styles. Longstaff will be a huge miss but there's absolutely no reason why we can't win. If we start like we did in our 'big' home games then we will win, but their tactics will all be around managing the first 20 and keeping the crowd out of the game. I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if we won 3-0, lost 0-3 or anything in between. The week is fucking dragging, I know that much!

Aye. I'm sure Birmingham had a 7/8000 allocation a year or two prior. That walk was a pisser, though. Seemed to go on forever, although I think that trip was the birth of the 'don't sell Cabaye/don't take me home' songs. One of them anyway.

It would be fucking mint if Liverpool won 9 games off the bounce and didn't qualify

Late to the party here but thought this was a cracking away end on Saturday. Was in the lower tier right next to their fans and was sort of bewildered by their celebrations at the end of the game. That being said, they made some great noise too. Was a cracking atmosphere for a 12:30 game.