St. Maximin

We’ll lose a right-back but will almost certainly go with three in the 26 in case Southgate wants to play wing-backs (as he likes Walker in a back three). When you look at the attacking options though, it seems crazy he’s gone into matches with seven defenders/DMs. Also no idea how Bamford isn’t in there. Joint fourth top scorer in the league and more goals than any English player after Kane. Nothing against the other strikers there, but think he adds something a bit different also.

I'm of the much rather this than nothing mindset. There's no real scope for delaying it again and it will be great to have on TV while restrictions will still impact us a fair bit this summer. I've watched so much football this year the thrill of it isn't really there and without the fan atmosphere home and abroad it won't be the same, but I'm sure there will be plenty of excitement once things kick off.

Perhaps I'm missing something but he's generally very reliable. Solid positionally, tackles well, makes great blocks and has reasonable speed. Certainly not the most talented player, but the level he plays at he does well defensively. As well as that he doesn't seem to make shocking mistakes that lead to goals like some of our other defenders.

He is a good defender though. Just crap on the ball.

Love some of the attitudes on here. As if a few thousand people going to one game this season is a problem Willock is unbelievable. Was saying just before Murphy’s crossing is underrated. Turns out he’s so good the commentator thinks he’s him. It’s not like they even look like each other...

Yeah regardless of whether or not either are good enough, I was confused Rafa was playing Gayle and Joselu over Mitrovic in 2017/18 (before he eventually left) At the time Gayle had 14 in 64 in the Prem and offered even less away from goals. It's now 25 in 132. Joselu has 10 in 68. I don't even think Mitrovic is great and as I said I don't want him back, but there's enough evidence to say he is a goal scorer when he's first choice and his relegation history is harsh on him given the lack of creativity he's surrounded by. Most relegated strikers don't get into double figures, whereas he did in 2018.

Depends how you determine not good enough. If 9-11 goals in a crap side isn't then fair enough. I mean he's not going to take anyone into Europe, but there's lots of strikers that can't get into double figures but will still get careers in the Prem. I don't want him back mind.

How do you define 'shocking'? Before this season he had 20 in 77, including a fair few sub appearances. Hardly sublime but at the same time not shocking either given the teams he was playing for. As I mentioned above, only a handful of strikers get into double figures these days and most of them are in the top 10. He played for rubbish Newcastle and Fulham sides. Yes he has been crap this season, but he's also been out of favour, hence why he keeps coming off the bench. This goes back to my point before that when he is the main man, he proves himself to be a goal scorer. He showed it twice at Fulham in the Championship and didn't disgrace himself on either occasion in the Prem before this season. Just the 41 goals in 64 for Serbia also. And the classic Champions League winner (16 years ago) can never be wrong comment. The best managers in the world will all make mistakes, I'm sure we can all agree on that. I mean I just had an opinion you didn't agree with. No need to get so angry

Sorry I have a different opinion to you. Thanks for your very kind words though I was talking about in the Premier League by the way if that helps. I know Gayle was much better in the Championship, but he definitely isn't a better Premier League striker and Joselu certainly isn't. Saying that, maybe you should go check Mitrovic's stats in the Championship since 2017? You know, as in more recently, when he was actually first choice unlike when Rafa was manager. 38 in 57 is pretty good.

Mitro’s embarrassing premier league record is a bit harsh on him tbh. He’s not had the most creativity around him and his stats when being a regular previously aren’t too bad. Only a handful of strikers get in double figures and usually in much better teams. He didn’t suit Rafa’s style, but Rafa’s insistence on playing Joselu/Gayle over Mitro was still bizarre given how ineffective they were. It’s clear Mitrovic has ability and does score goals when he’s the main man. Saying that he loves missing chances and could lose some weight. Plus that neck tattoo makes him look like a member of the Serbian mafia.

I like this formation btw. How long before the players start to look clueless in it?

Often thought he gets unfair stick. He’s not the most talented but as well as being a grafter, has decent technique and is reliable enough. At this level should only be a wing-back though.

5 points gets us through surely, even if it’s third place as the best four get to the next round. We’ll go through. Scotland are no mugs mind.

Wouldn’t have seen him as good looking or possessing any charm before all the negative news stories came out. Saying that he’s a very successful footballer of course. I saw that podcast also and Rhodri came across really well especially when you consider what he’s been through. That Ryan didn’t properly apologise shows he’s clearly got a lot of issues under the surface. Wouldn’t surprise me based on what Rhodri said about their upbringing that Ryan lacked a male role model but this is hardly an excuse for his behaviour.

it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we have a third wave this summer, but from my minimal knowledge of covid it should be a lot different with the continued vaccine rollout. Millions still won't receive the vaccine so there is still scope for the virus to infect people regardless. However, the speed of the rollout, studies pointing to vaccine success and excess deaths stats are very encouraging. It seems pretty reasonable to have half-full stadiums in July given they're outdoors, but full stadiums seems pretty optimistic.

It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they influenced the PL but was there much evidence of this? I know Staveley was adamant but I don’t know if there’s been any communication confirming this? Obviously the further developments with Big Picture and Super League do support this notion somewhat.

He’s sublime. 21 goals and 13 assists in a pretty negative team.

Rice and Henderson could fill in at CB if any injuries and Mount can also play a bit deeper, plus we'll only play with one striker I imagine. So it's the wings and attacking mids we should have lots of options in, which is where we excel. Rashford can play CF if we have injuries also. Think versatility is the key here.

Yeah I think it does but the media outrage seems more to do with human rights issues.

Obviously you can’t deny Bin Salman’s involvement as chairman of PIF, but it’s not the same as him owning the club or being directly involved in its day to day business. And I don’t see the uproar about their other investments on the same level. They’re one of the richest investment funds in the world so naturally they will invest in large businesses used in the western world. Granted their Uber share is only 5%, but the investment was over ten times the size in value. How much of a fuss is kicked up in the media about all the Saudi money that goes into such a successful taxi company?

He wasn’t bad though and was RWB rather than RB, otherwise Manquillo would surely be ahead. Playing as a wing-back he has slightly fewer defensive responsibilities but more is expected going forward. He was our most threatening player that started going forward. Scored a great goal, bombed up the wing and put in a few dangerous crosses. He struggled with McNeill but he did have an extra defender behind him and McNeill is very good, so less of an issue imo.

I don’t think he was awful. He’s not a defender, but playing WB with an extra CB he can do a job and he had their best player to mark. Put in several good crossers this week and last week I thought and I’d say his crossing has been a bit under-appreciated tbh. Wouldn’t start him in a back four but plenty of wingers can play WB if they have enough pace and discipline that I think Murphy does. Don’t see him more than a good squad player, but worth a new deal.

Don’t buy this at all. He put in several good crosses, his pace was useful and was always going to get a tough game from their best player. He was a wing-back also with three CBs so naturally I expect less from him defensively. Also think Longstaff had a much better second half than given credit for.

Don’t think Dyche has done anything to be associated with that brigade aside from Burnley fans being big on Brexit. Always seems like an intelligent and articulate bloke to me. Though I’m sure ASM infuriated him with his magic. The man is a delight.

Willock probably benched because he publicly said he was surprised to be dropped last week. Him, ASM and Wilson all on the bench is tragic.