PlymouthGeordie

Won't get a better opportunity to go far in this competition. Good that some of the fringe players got some minutes. Hopefully the big hitters that came on are still fresh for Saturday.

Love his effort and work rate but his dwelling on ball is a huge weakness in his game. He got robbed of possession today on the edge of their box and Kane almost scored. He is improving game on game though and he looks as mobile as he's ever done.

Agreed. ASM and Isaak add so much quality to our squad.

Scrappy, hard fought win but a huge and deserved one nonetheless. We were poor but Everton, my god they're awful. One shot (off target) all game.

As good as our performances have been and the metrics behind those performances, a defeat here would make it a fairly average start points wise. The league is so congested and it hasn't started to take shape at the 10 game mark like it usually does. Liverpool, Bournemouth and Brentford are arguably all in false positions. Such a big game this one. A win and we have zero pressure going in to the spurs game. A defeat and Everton (predicted to be in a relegation battle) are only 2 points behind us.

Joelinton will be an important squad player for the next 3-4 years, even as we progress. He can play wide left or right and either side of the midfield 3. His physical output is so great that even as we get better he'd still start a high number of games due to his versatility and tactical discipline. He's tailor made for Howe's high intensity pressing game. His attacking figures should be better but I think Howe sees him as integral to his plans.

This game is the first of 3 games in 7 days for us. Wilson and ASM won't be able to start all 3 so it would make sense to start them in the first and third game. We can't be risking them starting 2 games in 4 days given their recent injury records. If ASM plays, then Joelinton has to play as he covers him so well. Against Man Utd, we have to go with our full strength line up which at present (based on injuries) is: Pope Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn/Targett Willock, Bruno, Joelinton Miggy, Wilson, ASM For Everton, hopefully Isak can replace Wilson but if not Wood should start. Murphy can come in for ASM and Longstaff can come back in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lascelles or Anderson get a start in the next 3 games either.

Aren't we on track for 59 points using this? We got a point at Wolves when we didn't "need" one but you kept the tracker at 62 points instead of bumping it to 63 points?

Hard not to look forward to this one. Hopefully Joelinton and ASM come back in. Not saying we'll win but they won't look forward to our physicality and pace. We're all wrong for players like Fernandes and Eriksen.

There's an argument to say we should've won 5 of our 7 games but for bad luck/finishing/VAR. We're regularly out scoring the opposition on XG which rarely happened under Bruce or even Rafa. Eventually, that will translate in to more points on the board. Just like Bruce's results were unsustainable in his first two season, so are our current results but for very different reasons. As for today, and it is easy with hindsight, but I hope Howe has learned that against a lesser opponent at home, playing Botman is a must. Burn did nothing wrong but Botman's speed of thought on the ball and passing ability was sorely missed. Additionally, he should've started Longstaff over Willock. Longstaff could've played in the deepest midfield position and that would have released Bruno a bit more. Also, Willock would've given us some attacking impetus from the bench because the options we did have just aren't up to it. As I say, easy to say with hindsight. For me, Howe is doing a fantastic job and it is just a matter of time until we get the results our performances deserve.

Best bit is he signed Hogan for 12m while at Villa and Hogan couldn't hit a barn door for them. He's bagged 3 tonight.

Chelsea are in for Zakaria and Depay. I still think there is a chance one of Gallagher or Pulisic go out on loan. Whether we'd be in for them is another matter all together.

It'll be no wins in 5. We'd have won on the opening day but not since having played 6 games.

This is the game that defines our start to the season. A win takes us to 9 points from 6 games having played the 2 best teams. A really good, solid start. Anything but a win and points wise our start is a bit underwhelming and would leave us with no win in 5.

As an add on to this, Isak was signed in part because of Wilson's injury record. Wilson isn't suddenly going to stay fit just because Isak is here now. I doubt ASM, Wilson and Isak will all be fit at the same for more than 15 games this season. A winger is a definite necessity.