Nine

Doubt Allis mentality but I think Howes man management style could be well suited for him

They give that as a pen but ASMs yesterday wasnt???

Also note how high Joelinton is on that graph and hes only played that role since Howe came in, given a full season he could be top on that.

Wouldnt mind this happening + Carlos

Dont play with my heart like that

No way we let the Longstaffs go out if we dont sign at least 2 CMs

We've come a long way since 3pm today

Pretty much what I think, I'd add that he does add extra value to us at the minute purely for how bad our midfield is.. at times we can bypass it with longball (ugh) and use his flick ons for ASM etc. He had a couple of nice flicks from Dubs kicks today and held up the ball nicely and relieved pressure well at key moments to. Also if he gets a decent headed chance in the box hes likely to bury it, less so with his feet.

Imagine word gets out in a few hours that hes on his way, would top off today pretty nicely

Thought he was pretty ineffective other than carrying the ball for the first 70 mins, made up for it with the last 20 though. Obviously always worth keeping him on the field for the numbers he produces alone.

Wood is a lump with a touch that would scare off a small child but still think he can play an effective role as he showed at times today

Come on you fucker

1 CB (2 if Lascelles injury is bad) 1 CM (2 if Joes injury is bad) 1 Winger 1 LB or 1 ST would be a bonus

That is true, if he could just stick to using his head he'd do alright

Im transferring myself from team bedwetter to team happy clapper

One of Rafas best signings here imo

Thought he played decently tbh, defo lacking in front of goal mind. Might be a confidence thing. His general play to link the attacks from long balls was decent, couple nice little flick ons and held it up well when we needed to release some pressure.

Ref today was absolutely honking, imagine that free kick hadnt gone in and he didnt give that pen

Didnt think he was as bad as that Aye he got his arse ripped apart a few times in first 25 mins but generally thought he wasnt terrible. Manqy did look better though

Dubravka 7 Trippier 7.5 (Massive improvement 2nd half) Lascelles 7/Clark 6 Schar 7.5 (Best game hes had for us in a while) Dummett 7/ Manquillo 7 (Both pretty solid vs Raphina imo) Fraser 6 Joelinton 7/Longstaff 7 Shelvey 8.5 (MOTM, goal or not) Willock 7.5 (So good off the ball + his runs, struggled in first half but 2nd half immense) Wood 7 (Everything he did that wasnt in front of goal was on point, he really holds it up/flicks it on well to link our attack up when we struggle building from midfield) Saint-Maximin 6 (Pretty bad until final 15 mins)

Now if we beat Everton we will only be 1 point off them

Aye seen Dummet get alot of flack today, thought he was solid enough vs Raphina. Never going to come out clean against a player like that

Been a while since I felt like this after a result

I know we struggled to put together clear cut chances but to be fair to Howe, that was almost the best performance you could hope for out of this team in the 2nd half.. injuries and all