sushimonster85

Yes, they can definitely afford that.....

Exactly this. Part of the reason Maddison is such an exciting signing is his ability to play effectively in so many positions. Playing at home against a bottom half side who are sitting deep? Play him on the right of the 3 in midfield and he can move forward, effectively meaning we can transition into a 4-2-3-1 with him as the 10. Playing against a top side? Play him on the right of the front 3 and he can drop back and play as another midfield presence when needed. He adds something we don't currently have.

I'm becoming more confident with Maddison. Largely because the only other club consistently linked with him is Spurs. You'd think he'd have be pretty short sighted to see them as a better bet going forward.

Aye, their past couple wins have been far from convincing. Fulham could have gotten a point if it wasn't for a pen. A pen which wasn't fully dubious, but dubious enough that if the ref hadn't given it on the field I don't think VAR would have suggested over-turning it. A Brentford side already on the beach also caused them some problems. Hopefully a Leicester fighting for their lives may be able to sneak a point.

As others have said, I imagine it will be either end of the season, or when we have mathematically qualified for CL. I know it's looking like it's not an actual PIF company, but I still imagine the framework of the deal they have in place has adjustments in it for CL v Europa League football.

Would love it if we could give Allardyce's Leeds a hiding at Elland Road.

See Trippier had a pep talk with him on the final whistle. He was their best player by a country mile. Though Southampton fans seem to suggest he has a touch of the Sissoko's in that he saves his best performances for the the big team/TV games.

Things may be thawing, but still can't see Qatar looking to pile money into something Saudi backed.

Indeed. Believe he started there last night. Though he doesn't play that role in the same way an Almiron does. Or Murphy for that matter. You put him there knowing he is instead going to drift about and look for spaces centrally.

Villa don't worry, Liverpool on the other hand... They have a run of fixtures now where they could win every one of them and it wouldn't shock me at at all. Villa still have to go to Old Trafford, go to Wolves (local derby), and go to LIverpool.

Agree with the sentiment, just replace 'Villa' with 'Brighton'. Still can't stand that lot!

That was the weirdest part. Clearly wanted to be asked about it, then in his answer he drones on and on, before then coming out with 'but actually they haven't broken any rules'

Don't get me wrong, think Pedro is good, and has the potential to be a top 6 level player, but I think in years to come we will look back at Wilson picking up that injury in the City home game as a blessing in disguise. By all accounts we were nailed on for Pedro till that happened, had even gotten the Romano "here we go", then Wilson picks up his injury and we get the blessing from Al-Rumayyan to do something big to replace him. Isak deal is then done in 48 hours.

Worries me that I have no pessimism at all for this game. Think it's going to be a comfortable afternoon. 3-0.

I know what you mean. Does worry me that in our last 2 away games (Brentford & Villa) we have produced 3 pretty rotten halves of football. Only saving grace was that second half at Brentford.

Same. Would be very surprised if there wasn't some sort of reaction from them tonight. Even if that means they manage to take a point, which would actually be ideal for us.

Will be amazed if Isak doesn't start. Think if he was going to play Wilson he'd have left Isak in for much more of the game on Sunday.

Still hurts, this one. There's another timeline where Shearer doesn't get injured and he actually gets to play off/behind Shearer as opposed to being asked to lead the line.

Can't see it myself. I think Dyche knows he doesn't have the players to play like that, so will instead set them up to be really tough to break down and hope to grab something from a set piece.

Yep. Team is full of players with that winning/big game mentality now. Longstaff mentioned in that Athletic piece on him that in every pre-game huddle Trippier says 'pressure is a privilege'.

Just to clarify my position on all this. I do still make us strong favourites, I'm just terrified of Liverpool I actually think we may end up taking matters into our own hands. Win tonight, win on Sunday, beat Leeds, beat Brighton, beat Leicester and it doesn't matter what anyone else does.

True, but they seem to be coming off the boil, as opposed to Liverpool, who seem to be getting a head of steam now. Brighton still need to go to Arsenal, and play us at St James.

Aye, they are more than capable of winning the rest of their games. For those who haven't seen, Liverpool's remain games: Spurs (H) Fulham (H) Brentford (H) Leicester (A) Villa (H) Southampton (A)

Yep, this actually plays out for this lad as well. Had 3 goals in 28 games this season, which is decent for a FB. Imagine it's cos, like an inverted winger, when forward he will often look to cut inside and create a shooting opportunity. Flip side of that is he only has 1 assist all season.

More than likely, yes. Although taken to the mathematical extreme it's 12 points we need. If Liverpool win all their remaining games they can get to 71. If Villa win all their games they can get to 69. But they play each other so they both can't take max points. I do fear Liverpool, the fixtures they have from now till the end of the season it isn't impossible they go on a run where they win them all.