Abacus

Was also thinking along these lines. But more Rafa finally walking away, then Ashley appointing Steve Bruce being a sliding doors moment and a long term positive compared to if Rafa had stayed or Ashley had appointed somebody even slightly competent after him. Yes it was a terrible time short term, but it was going to be the end for both Ashley and Bruce. Crowds walking away, us sliding towards the championship, there being nobody with a brain who would come in and replace him and Ashley clearly not having the stomach to fix his own mess again, hence being desperate to cash in. Really not sure the takeover would have happened if we'd kept Rafa instead and we'd limped on. Or if Bruce hadn't been so completely and utterly awful at absolutely everything.

Didn't log on at all here during the match, probably for the best by the looks of some of it, watched it in the pub with some mates. Thought it was fantastic entertainment, a cracking cup tie and just felt so good to win in a shootout. Went to bed happy, woke up looking for the time of next draw. Credit to Blackburn, this is how an away tie to a championship team should have been and they were on it from the start. And this is how the Cup goes

But then he left when the politics became too much, and was working in a different era when the restrictions weren't as much to be able to reset his squad. Not a slight on Keegan, just saying that the comparison with Howe isn't like for like as we don't know what each would have done in the other's shoes.

I agree that it would be extremely harsh to punish Everton twice this season, and that the way this whole thing is being handled is shambolic just for sporting reasons if nothing else. From what I understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong), a large part of the problem stems from interest costs on debt for building their new stadium. You'd have initially assumed that this would be outside of FFP as it relates to spending on infrastructure, but no. I mean, as well as other spending and COVID losses etc. Either way, they had owners who were prepared to invest in the playing squad, albeit badly. It now looks like they have been driven to sell to new owners in 777 who are struggling to pass the tests, with the whole thing being dragged out again by the PL. Whatever the intent of FFP, to maintain club solvency supposedly, it's had the complete opposite effect. Whatever you think about individual owners, their source of wealth etc, surely now nobody with ambition would invest in a club outside of a certain few with the intent to establish them as a major club again, as the rules are so heavily stacked against this.

I'd take it, obviously. But it would be a bit ridiculous if nearly half the teams in the PL who stay up end up in some form of European comp next year.

Very poor tackle by Caicedo, and he looked guilty as sin.

Thought he was OK today, and actually pretty good given how easily we were torn apart and how little competitive game time he's had. It seemed to me though that neither him nor Dubravka have the same link with the defence or command of the box as Pope does. As the third choice keeper, given limited funds to spend on alternatives, seems to me he's been a pretty good choice to keep on. I know we conceded 4 goals, but in the context of how much he's played, the nature of the goals themselves and what most were expecting the score to be before the game I don't think he can be criticised too much.

Arsenal were brilliant and deservedly won, with crisp, confident passing as if they had a point to prove after Porto and the last game at SJP, even though they really didn't re us since Havertz should have been sent off in that game even before the correct VAR decision to allow our goal. But I have to agree about the ref. Even though there were no individually contentious decisions, Bruno took multiple tackles from different players clearly knowing he was on a yellow card ban and couldn't respond. Credit to Bruno for not reacting except for one dicey moment. On the plus side, what I will credit the ref for is having the ball smack off the back of his head to accidentally prevent a promising Arsenal attack in the second half - he was the midfield defence we didn't have.

No card for Bruno either (again)

The Discovery+ QR code just now blocking a chunk of the screen has been our best player so far. More please.

Agreed bobbydazzla it's got to be a great project to join, but I'd equally hope that a clued up DOF would know this already and would be pitching to us.

I hope they go all the way up to Beale's sacking, and close the episode with the EastEnders theme tune.

I'm back and forward on this, if he's fit enough to train I'd rather have him on the bench even if the game is gone for a possible run out, like you say. Treat it like a training match. Maybe not as much as 20 mins, but still, better than having someone else on the bench we won't use in any case and so who wouldn't get any minutes anyway.

Looking forward to when they play next, in order to watch Ratcliffe charge onto the pitch and head it into his own net.

I can't recall exactly, but when we settled compensation with Brighton wasn't that also to shorten the period of gardening leave he was on? By the way if I have to say gardening leave one more time, I'll be convinced this whole thing is an elaborate advertising ploy for Dobbies.

You seem downcast by the model, and all banter aside have argued your points like a genuine fan. This is not a trap I agree with the bandit in that Cooper is someone who'd be good and also deserves a chance, but if you're going to go that way he'd need to be able to negotiate his own terms. Seems like Speakman is skating on thin ice with the fan base from what little I know, so maybe he'd get that. Edit, I hope not and that it all goes terribly wrong for many future laughs, but you'll know by now that's obligatory.

You're alright Teddy. Any thoughts on who you should go for?

Really want that Just Stop Oil protestor and the bloke with the comedy pliars to come on now for the encore.

Great strike. Now I'm going to have to take it all back

He is indeed. I don't mind him and to be fair he's had nothing to work with. At least they got to advertise True Detective as well in the break which looks alright, so maybe this game isn't a complete write off.

Jesse Marsch excitedly explaining how "this is vertical football" at halftime. I'm flipping horizontal watching this so far.

If they don't settle a huge compensation fee, I would be demanding daily before and after pictures of his garden.

The minute Howe came out talking about why longevity in a role was important in a role like that was the minute Dan Ashhole was toast imo, and rightly so. Once again, Eddie had it right. I hope he has the staying power to ignore the snakepits and do what's right for our club - he's Keegan again.

And from this, Ashworth might now be a mole

Haha, sounds like Eddie has moved on fast. Once again, he's the real spokesman for the club.