et tu brute

Maybe it was Bruno who sorted the tickets or Southgate was arranged first. I'm sure he enjoyed it in the stands more being in with the crowd.

Bruno, however (even though there are a few upgrades to be made), I genuinely don't dislike any player we have in the squad. Some players in the squad I don't particularly rate, but you certainly can't question attitudes and efforts of any of the squad on and off the pitch. I genuinely can't remember feeling that way before (even during the Keegan entertainer years, there were one or two I wasn't keen on. Some seasons I wasn't keen on half the team Yes that's down to in a big way to Howe (as Bruno said he treats the 4th choice keeper exactly the same way as key first team era), but you have to credit to the players also (led by Trippier who you can see is totally respected by everyone). Never seen a group of players who are so genuinely close and support each other. Must be great for a new player coming into the club and getting all round support whilst they settle in.

No match thread obviously, but I hope for the Palace game we play as strong as team as possible. With it being so close to the World Cup break and at home, the need to rest players is less of a priority. I'm pretty sure Palace will play their strongest 11. Going to be interesting how Howe is thinking though. I can see St Max, Shelvey and Anderson possibly starting, but I'm still far from convinced with our back up options. What's people's thoughts?

This and the Bruno goal show they are working on different methods. Great tool in the box as teams will be expecting balls straight in the middle with the height we have.

I thought he was more than fine today. Some of the stuff he did was top notch.

Be a big miss next week. He's one player I like to see in our lineup for away gives as he gives us that big physical presence in the midfield.

It's actually very comforting that come January, we will (hopefully barring injuries in the World Cup) have Isak, St Max and a possible 2 or 3 new signings (I think the owners will push the boat out with our current position). This could be a massive opportunity for us, as some of the top 6 teams are certainly not performing to their usual level, and the fact they will all be playing 3 games a week most weeks will give us a further advantage. A full squad and a few quality signings will boost our squad and enable us to maintain our intensity. Exciting times ahead, obviously I'm not getting too far ahead as the 'big 6' teams do have undoubted quality and may well add to their squads also.

Only time he has been uncomfortable was the City game, which was his first game and against Haaland. Even then he was decent and didn't have a bad game. Since then he's been basically imperious. Him and Schar are a perfect pairing.

Funny they're so broken they don't know what to rant on about now, faux outrage, only due to money, no way we qualify for Europe. Doesn't help mind that their team is dropping like a stone

Great touch by Trippier as soon as Lascelles came on he was straight over with the armband. Just shows how incredible the spirit within that team is

I think it's a near certainty on both.

I think the standard of the goals will push him well ahead also.

Aye that's a good point I forgot that he was actually on loan this season.

Obviously he is taking the opportunity to check out current Brazil squad players in Bruno, Luiz and Cortinho (if he is involved), but it's also likely he's checking out what's the buzz with Joelington also.

Every manager in the league sent off can now point to Klopp and say you can't ban me as you have set a precedence. If one manager deserved a touch line ban it's that cunt. He could already have been sent off three or four times this season.

I think every game is now nervous just because we are doing so well and you think a banana skin is just around the corner. Villa have some decent players and can beat a lot of teams on a good day (mind so can most teams in the division). Howe seems to have the team focused though since Bournemouth (in hindsight that game might have been a blessing). If we play our normal home game we will win. Villa looked decent on Saturday but that was against Brentford who are in poor form and not that good away from home. Similar game to Everton for me, however Everton's defence is better than Villas. Will still be nervous as reasons stated above, but I do fancy us to win. Seemingly Young has been a key player for them, but I think he will have his work cut out with Miggy's pace and intensity. They do have some decent forwards, but you're always confident now with Schar and Botman. Fulham just put constant pressure on them from the off in their last away game and they couldn't cope, hopefully we will do the same.

Hopefully it inspires Joelington for a mammoth performance. I've seen players crumble also knowing their international manager is watching, but I think he is made of sterner stuff.

What's nice to see is the number of YouTube/podcasts about from outside sources, all saying positive stuff about the team and Howe. Even the Villa ones (shows best to ignore idiots on Twitter) have been full of praise. Long may it continue.

Im actually a little surprised that PSG didn't send him out on loan. I get the argument about working with top level players could improve his game, but as you said his lack of game time, even when the game is well won, is a bit mystifying. Could compare him with Anderson, but I think Howe is genuinely easing him in to the premier league and is now on the verge of upping his game time minutes. This is backed up by the comments on the two players by their respective managers.

Just noticed when I was looking on the official site, that the cup tie is a sell out. Is this a reduced capacity or an actual full house?

He be giving him box loads of stuff on a daily basis no doubt. I honestly think he's with had a good hiding off some Newcastle fans at some point or his dad was a Newcastle fan and fucked off. He is using his faux outrage since October 7th as he didn't mention a thing before that (mind you could say that about the lot of them over there). I'm still pretty sure he's not even a Sunderland fan, as he never posts anything about them or the team. He also has a ready made audience to spout his shite.

You're probably right, hopefully not and our fans just walk by, but as Wallsendmag said a half five kick off with supporters pissed up, gets me thinking it may kick off. I'm all for people having their views and if they're unhappy about the ownership that's totally fine. Is the protesting group thinking that this is an opportunity to actually get more publicity by creating a negative scene for the cameras and press. We have all stated there could be problems, so surely they have considered this also. This then opens the question when and how to protest and when and how not to protest. Just got to hope supporters just respect the protesters rights and walk by and get themselves ready for the game. Got a bad feeling about this though as SOME pissed up fans (or people in general) can be easily wound up.

If we continue to progress he will be here for a good while at least. All the other clubs had the opportunity to sign him, but didn't take the plunge. He knows the project and he knows it won't happen overnight. He looks like he's living the dream, his family are loving every moment and he's just experienced the greatest gift you can have in life. Honestly think for the next two year minimum, his and his family's personal happiness will take priority. Hopefully by the time he starts to prioritise his professional ambitions, the club has continued to progress to match these also. I'm confident they will.

Be interesting if the current situation continues, if we go in again in the Summer or if that ship has now sailed. We were obviously keenly interested in both windows just gone.

'Not on the same scale' The faux outrage summed up in one short sentence