Tiresias

He has played well in premier league for other teams just been horrendously inconsistent, Rafa seems to have fixed that. I do think though that championship teams have been giving him absolutely ludicrous space and time to control the game, he won't get the luxury against proper teams

To be fair it doesn't count if you don't say giggs

Backup to Shelvey should be priority no 1 transfer wise, he's the one player who I think if he gets injured could cause us big problems

One thing I've learned about the world is that absolutely no honest person is ever described as a 'straight talker'. It is only used for and by bullshit artists

Very winnable, good

may improve them to be fair

Was better than the south africa one in terms of entertaining games, not sure the quality was actually super high, Germany were by far the best team and basically walked it.

Ibrahimovic is having an absolute shocker

Loved his threaded passes behind their full backs, Mitro was in tune with him and caused them problems.

I wonder a bit if he likes coming from deeper than we've played him, and with Hull they didn't control games so well so he could do his powerful runs up the pitch on the counter attack more often. He has to get used to playing in and around a packed opposition box more often.

i think it's true everywhere.

Big egos his style has caused issues, but the players here must know they have lucked out to be managed by him in championship and will be keen to learn. Also it will always be with any manager, if they're winning on the pitch all the time the players can't complain about the methods. What's really encouraging to me is that the rotation doesn't seem to be causing any issues, players are sitting on bench and coming on and performing, and players aren't complaining about being subbed off or being left on bench one game. Everyone knows their job and seems to enjoy it. Lots of different players are scoring and performances are coming from everywhere.

No, and i think with them down to 10 his spreading of play tired them out, was given a ludicrous amount of space as usual. It is basically my only major worry about this team is if we can win reliably without Shelvey. (I think we then become very reliant on Ritchie whom is easier to maybe mark out the game)

He's clearly the kind of striker that when in the mood is unplayable, he is going to get his head or his body to the ball before any defender and he is strong enough to shrug anyone off. He's also got the technical skills. It's only that too often he has not shown up like that or been unable to hit a barn door. I do love his enthusiasm, but part of me thinks that this is part and parcel with his immaturity which is why his form seems to fly around wildly. Rafa will get him to consistency like he has with Shelvey I hope. I have never understood anyone who didn't think he has the ability to be a great striker, but I have been in the past frustrated with him to the point of questioning if he'll make it, albeit everyone looked bad last season. I'd also still probably start Gayle, but he needs to keep banging them in himself because Mitrovic certainly brings more overall to the table.

Glad he got another very good goal tbh, the miss could have dented the confidence built from the first goal. Not really sure if the keeper should save the first didn't seem to be going particularly fast but obviously perfectly placed. Second no way he should be given that room to stride forward You get those goals at this level though so hopefully will push on from here

Absolutely ridiculous. Boring boring Benitez

Thanks, man. I'm so ' tired and emotional' I've had to watch three times to get it to sink in! Lowlights more like amirite

- Diame Absolutely the attitude, sick of managers moaning about cup competitions etc etc. We've not had the mentality that we want to win every damn game and will be disappointed if we don't for ages and I'm glad this is Rafa's attitude.

Before Mitro accidently snaps his neck like a twig I imagine Mitro going around, congratulating his team-mates, being like a scene from Final Destination

Would be nice. Still bring it on whoever it is

What's good is that even players who are on the bench a lot are seamlessly joining in and there doesn't seem any moping. Very impressed that a totally rotated backline basically gave the impression of being as solid as the first choice (albeit hardly tested).

They should struggle to break us down, doubt they'll be too attacking after tonight so expect a tight game, 2-0 to us still like.

It's not like we're going to go crazy and not bother defending though, we'll turn up and give them very little as we are getting very good at especially away.

Before Mitro accidently snaps his neck like a twig