Abacus

If Isak is fit, I'd be playing Barnes and Murphy next game. And that's from someone who was a bit wary of Barnes before his latest spell. Off the bench, if we're ahead, Gordon can come on and stretch them on the break. I always thought it would be the other way round with Barnes being the sub, but that's probably the form right now. Gordon didn't play badly in the last game (in fact the whole team played pretty well) other than one mistake, but I think he needs his confidence back. He hasn't really been the same player as last season except in spells. But I still wouldn't like to play against him if we sold him in the summer, not that I think that would be sensible or likely anyway.

Agreed. And would've tattooed Bodo Glimt on my forehead before an important work event / wedding / funeral if they'd been the option instead.

Can't see Chelsea dropping points now and they might go on and score more. We'll do it ourselves anyway. But at least Man U have given it a go, unlike Ange and his "spirit of the game" nonsense. And that just that makes me want Spurs to lose the final now.

This Villa game is pointless now. It probably was from the start, but I've no idea what Spurs are even trying. Over to watch the anti-Chelsea game

Caicedo such a cheat

Looking at it again, I'll probably just be watching for a laugh. I suppose there's always a chance Caicedo just runs around kicking lumps out of people again and a ref finally sends him off, which would be nice.

I'll be watching the games tonight more in hope than anything else. For all that players will be concentrating on the final, surely a few will want to come in and stake a claim to be playing in it? And surely neither will want to go into it on the back of a hammering either. Anyway, while yes there's always a chance, like most, I do think in reality it's all most likely to go down to the last game.

Big green egg, yes. Asda disposable one, less so.

Watkins? Anyway, ridiculous back page headline saying if they win the Europa there will be no bus tour, just a BBQ at Carrington instead. It's both ridiculous that's even in any way news but also even that they've said that in the first place.

I think 3 of the right level this season might have had us challenging or at least giving the top two a fright. But not with CL / Europa and playing twice a week again.

Everton may not be great, but they're also a different team since Moyes arrived. Think they'd park the Megabus also, and that's where we can struggle. I'd much rather we brought the thunder to Arsenal and took them down a peg, so the last game is more of a party rather than a decider. Howe has Arteta's number and Arsenal are sliding right now. Anyway, so much more exciting to not have to worry about trying to scrape together a few draws here and there like in our relegation seasons. Plus, if by bad luck we do only get Europa, at least we could probably spawn our way to a trophy and CL the season after. So, not the end of the world even if the worst happens.

To clear this up. I remember being gutted that you'd fluked that cup final against a hungover City and stolen our rightful Europa place. However, now that it has been generally agreed as being a FARCE of a competition, it seems you actually did us a favour, because we wouldn't have wanted to be in it after all. Watched the end of your game and Amorim seemed genuinely chuffed walking down the steps. Nor has he come across badly to me in Interviews overall. Which is annoying, since we're all waiting for him to whip off his lizard mask and eat a mouse, like in V. But in seriousness, what do you reckon to Spurs in the final and your chances?

Very much looking forward to the club world cup now.

Think I'll watch a few YouTube videos about who REALLY wrote Hamlet.

It does sound like I'm doing them down, didn't mean it like that.

Was reading that this isn't really a competition designed for teams like them as they're should always dominate it. Ah well, happy for their genuine fans. Now Spurs are definitely through at 2-0

All done with Spurs through. Shows what I know

Yeah, I've been thinking the same. Not saying Bodo have looked all that much like scoring though

Matterface claiming in the Bodo game that "we all to see a big all English final in the Europa league". Errr. Who is he speaking for? Might flip from this game soon after half time, seems a bit of a lost cause now for Bodo.

You'd have to say, this Bodo game doesn't yet have the glamour of Milan vs Barca. Great commentary knowledge there questioning why the Norwegian royal family are wearing red scarves. "It's the Norwegian flag".

Not yet for me

Bodo ground with Thunderstruck on and the rain lashing down looks grim and also great at the same time

Think I'm watching Bodo, unless Spurs score early and ruin everyone's fun. Then I'll flip to anything that looks exciting. Probably won't be watching the play off game till it comes to the crunch in the second leg, unless the Euro games are dead and buried.

There was one fragment from when Mitchell was appointed, I can't remember who posted it or where / how reliably it was sourced. If I've remembered correctly, it was basically that he hates protracted public negotiations and often sends out false targets. That doesn't seem to square with the Guehi pursuit, but there you go. But then, it did seem like he was the target from before he was appointed, which he stuck to depending on what you believe from the press comments. Wouldn't be surprised if there was some hybrid approach of previous and now new targets here, given Howe has been no slouch in the transfer market on past scouting. So I'm kind of discarding a lot of links for now. For one thing, I don't think we'd know where we stand till we know where we finish, and therefore our budget, for the next year at least. They're probably working on a few simultaneous lists depending on where we are, but the Barnes buy does suggest we'll also be opportunistic at times too. Still love reading it all, mind.

Think I'll be watching the Bodo / Spurs game. Pretty unique place to play, two of their better players back - an early goal for them, some nerves, and it's on. Still unlikely, mind. A Spurs Man U final does look pretty nailed on to me. In that scenario, I'd be hoping for Spurs. I could see Man U rebuilding with a win and getting better with CL money, whereas I'm not sure what Spurs would spend and they'd likely persist with Ange for a bit longer. Wishing misfortune on other teams, both to keep yourself in the hunt and because it's a good laugh, is one of the best things about football.