Paullow

That had been coming. Interesting to see if Cardiff can hold out here. They have a bit longer than we had, and a less raucous stadium / team in poorer form.

I'm still hoping he goes to Hearts, and if he does, I'll definitely try and get up for a home match later in the year (assuming tickets are quite easy to get hold of). Couple of hours drive, 90 mins on the train, look around Edinburgh late morning, bite to eat, and then a match in a league / stadium I've never seen before. I get that by default he might seem better than some options at our disposal, but it is still a risk to throw a just turned 18 year old into the mix, especially if things turn out not quite as rosy as they have been for much of the season. It's a long way from cameo appearances for the Mariners to being in a battle for European places in the most competitive major league in the world.

I've always been targeting top 6. Top 6 always has sounded significant - you look at oddschecker and there will be 'top 6' odds. I often use our 8 top 6 PL finishes as a way to differentiate ourselves from some of the other more significant non 'big 6' sides (and emphasise the 7 before Ashley took over...), whereas I never bother with the late run to 7th when Bramble scored that goal to secure the Intertoto place. If we finish 6th then one at least one of the aforementioned more established sides will have finished below us, and it will still have been a great, better than expected season, definitely above par, and will almost certainly result in a return to some sort of European competition next season - it will be bloody unlucky if both cups are won by midtable sides and it only goes down to 5th in the league. We are certainly where we are on merit. We have the clear 3rd best GD in the league, 5 wins by 3 or more goals which is incredible, only one defeat, and we are obviously very strong at the back. That said, we're not even half way through the league campaign, still have 20 PL matches to play, and as we saw last night, the squad depth is extremely shallow - a couple of key injuries, a drop in level of players we're not used to performing how they have been, and we could be quickly surpassed by 2, 3 or even 4 clubs who are generally so much further ahead of us (where they are as clubs) and can call upon far more resources when things get tough. Linekar said last night that yesterday was the 17th match in a row where we have kept a clean sheet at HT, which is crazy, and while we don't often fall behind in matches, we haven't won in any of the 5 matches where we have been behind (at some point) this season. Obviously still hope we can finish as high as we can and continue this amazing season, and will still hope Man Utd and Liverpool drop points wherever possible to perhaps get over the line in the top 4 race, but I'll primarily be looking out for Spurs', and more specifically, Chelsea's fortunes going forward, and if we can finish 5th or 6th and above one or two of them, then that will definitely do me for this season.

It'll be a maximum of 12. 5 all PL ties in R3, as well as Newcastle, Bournemouth and Forest crashing out to lower league sides. Could be one or two more going out over the next couple of days. Leeds possibly the most vulnerable.

One of those days. Poor result, but not too concerned in isolation. It will feel far worse if we lose on Tuesday as well mind. We'll be in far stronger positions to attack multiple competitions in the coming years, and many of those involved today will be nowhere to be seen.

Aye, looks nearer 5 changes. Must have misheard Gary.

It's a surprisingly strong team judging by their forum. 2 changes according to Linekar.

It was a weird feeling because we obviously went for it. It was far stronger, relatively, than it is today, and bar a striker, pretty much full strength, and since we had won 1 of 21 matches that season, it really did feel a case of when the next win would come, but a pretty embarrassing exit considering we went strong and were at home to a bottom half 3rd tier side.

Happy enough with that team. If it's good enough to win the match, great, if not, then there's two more important matches coming up in the next 8 days. I know an extra match isn't great in terms of less time for Eddie to prepare for other matches, and more of a distraction, but since there's like 7/8 who won't normally start there, a replay in front of large numbers, possibly on TV again (depending on other results), and a chance for young'uns to actually watch us again, I wouldn't be too fussed if it was an injury free draw. Probably the least bothered I've been heading into a Newcastle match since Cambridge last year.

Postman Pat's son on for Everton.

Shite.

If he leaves Everton soon and wants to stay in club football and away from punditry / England set up, what type of club do you see Frank at? Like a lower end southern Championship side, or might his name get him a better gig, or have to start even lower than that?

Would Everton be happy with a draw / replay here? E.g. would Pickford be falling on the floor after a routine save in the 89th minute?

Coady always comes across as a great pro / person.

Well, well, well

FFS, probably game over already.

Howay the draw.

It's the midweek match that throws a spanner into the works. Everton have 8 days off, and Man Utd have an absolute gift EFL match (on paper), so made more sense for those to go stronger here, although I did suspect Everton would have made a fair few changes given their tough fixture tonight, and where they are in the league. I'm pleased they have both gone strong though. Always makes it feel more worthwhile watching (on TV as a relative neutral) than a bunch of players who may have potential, but you've barely heard of.

Obviously we have a big EFL Cup match on Tuesday, but Fulham have their derby with Chelsea on the Thursday before they play us which might help (us) a bit. Quite a tight turnaround and you can guarantee that will be a massive focus for them, but yeah, not an easy match and they do have a few very good players. Confident at home though.

Villa vs our friends Stevenage is on the BBC platform at the exact same time if that's any better?

Happy with that!

Jamaal's cousin. Na, I'd never heard of him either, but he apparently started their match against Everton. He came on as a sub at half time here.

4 year deal as well and he was 31 years olds

Chelsea have used all their subs. Chukwuemeka cost £20 from Villa in the summer, Hall played against us before the World Cup and did well, and that Hutchinson lad signed from Arsenal over the summer, just 19, but aye, not the most familiar of players.

Chelsea using all their subs. Auba off, after coming on as a sub