Tiresias

We obviously need more goals up top but otherwise can't fault anyone. Everyone working together as a team, everyone hunting every ball, best footy we've played in a long long time. Shame not more goals but great start

Been a while since he's done that

We play lovely footy...how long have I waited for this...

Completely fair

not really sure why easing in is a concern what is the whole point of preseason if not to ease them in, but is harsh to break up the partnership and maybe howe thinks botman will benefit from watching at first.

Honestly I don't care too much where we finish, I think europe is likely well beyond us still so I just want the team to improve and us to not have any relegation anxiety at all, and take the cups seriously. As i voted if we finish 12th i really wouldnt care, below that would be a little concerning. I know that's low but if the squad is gelling and improving we seriously lack depth. If Bruno gets a long term injury for instance we suddenly become very unimpressive

One of those i wish players did more of just whipping in with pace into crowded area and you're gonna get deflections in

Good counter from Arsenal

It's fucking infuriating isn't it. Just free to spend whatever they want. Chelsea make a lot of money back from sales has to be said but they don't half hoard a ridiculous number of players

Botman's had a full preseason, featured prominantly in friendlies and explicity has come expecting to be first choice, no way he will be eased in, he has already been eased in with preseason (well you've given me doubt now, maybe i guess)

Yeah I do think it will be Botman Burn from preseason which feels strange to me as as much as Burn was great think Schar quickly settled back into being excellent last season, we just extended his contract and Botman is a more natural left sided centre back. There are a lot of games and we need 3 quality centre backs but my other worry is Schar sometimes takes a few games to get up to speed, he is a bit of a form player so worry about the impact of benching him. Oh well, I still have trust in Howe and he could surprise me.

He was alright and the difference between us going down and staying up at one point. He is not a winger though, I am not sure he really plays in a position that gets much use in the premier league, a second striker more than a no 10, unable to lead the line himself but needs to be close to goal and not a massive provider either.

Absolutely fantastic, what a tournament!

It sounds like a sort of let's meet in the middle at £50m kind of bid

Is a big fee but new contract etc. I think any club that has had one season of a player and they're brilliant and have them on long term deal with plenty left are entitled to put a fuck off price tag on them

It's funny i remember loathing Pardew a lot more than some of the interim managers like joe fucking kinnear as he stuck around so long, looking back looks kinda glorious golden era of Ashley when we were in europa league, were signing exciting mercurial french talents etc etc. Of course Pardew was a massive prat. but considering what came after...

Good intense game for the players. I wish we had more central control and we definitely need more goals in squad too. Second choice defenders werent that great and pope wasnt great but it's a friendly happy overall

Absolutely disgusting that!

Come on need to not be offside there

Benfica have a competitive champions league qualifier next week dont they so they are a bit further along their preparation?

Miggy!

In fairness I just meant his intense stare

poor defending that. Howe out

Who is the Benfica coach, seems super intense lol

haha bruno