jackflap

Gonna be an exciting and nerve jangling week but class to go into the last weekend with all to play for. Have to think they'll get it done, haven't failed to deliver in big games at home in the new era and there have been plenty. Keeps everything relevant as well. If Wolves fail to beat Palace Tuesday it renders the game meaningless for position for Everton. Spurs beating ManU would give the latter pride to play for at home to Villa. Gonna sit back and enjoy the ride.

Would love to see them sign somebody proficient in the no.10 role and have the option of trying Bruno and Tonali as a double pivot. Think Isak could play there if they'd another option up front.

Pretty good chance that Everton won't even have League position to play for next weekend. If they beat Southampton at home tomorrow and Wolves fail to beat Palace away midweek they can only finish 13th.

Easy to find something odious about every club but Man City represent all that's rotten about contemporary football. Cmon Palace.

Should Palace win today and Forest win their last 2 games to finish ahead of Chelsea, and all other results go as expected would that leave Chelsea reliant on winning the Conference League just to get into the Europa? Trying to find an argument for rooting for Palace today, would make it a more interesting final plus fuck City. Bad enough to have to spend yesterday evening shouting for their neighbours.

Vlahovic to Arsenal that January a few years back was a tortuous saga, a sure illustration that mouse clicks can't make a transfer come true. Though clever of Vlahovic to skip the whole going to Arsenal stage of revealing himself to not be a very good striker. I'd say he has the game to do well in the PL and would be a good case of buying when the stock is low but Juve at that time were fairly spendthrift so can only imagine he's on a big wedge which would rule him out. Feels like a Chelsea signing but then what signing doesn't

Have come away from a lot of games thinking that his decision making in the final 3rd just isn't very good, particularly when there's a FB overlapping and he needs to decide whether to play him in or use him as a decoy to cut inside, he invariably seems to make the wrong call, something Gordon struggles with as well in fairness. A lot of promising situations on the left haven't materialised into much as a result. It's a crucial element as there's a lot of potential there with the energy of Hall/Livramento it really is a strength they need to be making the most of.

Doue and Barcola haven't really combined well, feel like PSG have another gear in them when Dembele comes on.

It's the type of penalty that Gordon made an art form out of winning last season but I'm not sure I'm in favour of them even though by the letter of the law it's a pen, Martinez clearly played for the penalty by moving his foot between the defender and the ball, never made any attempt to play the ball.

Would take 20m for him, he has some great attributes and could thrive in the right system but don't see it happening here, like Longstaff think he's the type of player that needs a run of games, can be scruffy on the ball. Himself and Joelinton dovetailing on the left was one of my favourite things about 2 seasons ago but not likely to see that with Gordon and Barnes in situ. Too breezy and streaky a player for Howe in general IMO, lacks aggression and decisiveness, the header he missed against Brighton being a prime example.

Not to be clogging up the rumour thread with conjecture but I wonder if Barnes retains his place for the rest of the season and somebody comes in with a big bid for Gordon in the summer would they be tempted. Chelsea is the only side I could see that might throw a bid in just because they're Chelsea and not out of any great need. Perhaps Liverpool if Diaz who's always linked away moved. It's a fairly well stocked area of the team with a lot of players who could do a job there, maybe even Sanusi could emerge as an emergency option next season. Feels like having 2 top class players competing for one position is a luxury they're a few years away from being able to afford given the deficiencies elsewhere in the side.

Villa had to win whereas a result for Newcastle would've been a bonus. Great manager, vocal support and a battle hardened and embittered side(towards Newcastle probably and after midweek) all played a part. There's a reason managers are paid handsomely and yesterday showed why. Positives are no injuries, an ideal fixture next week to negotiate. Get Howe back hopefully and go all out for next 3 games that are all winnable.

Think Villa will be full of adrenaline early, start fast and then tire, hopefully they ride the early storm. Great to be involved in games like this late in the season.

Can picture Tonali running home after the game.

Only win the home games and Chelsea have to win all their other remaining games to finish one point above.

How does Tonali make relentless pressing look elegant

Cue Chelsea selling the club to themselves.

Could see Howe been interested in Cunha for his versatility and the tactical flexibility he'd offer. I'd love to see them signing a 10 to give the option of a Bruno/Tonali double pivot but doubt they'd invest to sign a specialist in that position unless they could also cover other positions and Cunha's probably the best example of someone who could do that. Could see them being interested if they thought they were getting value but would depend on what other clubs are in for him.

Looks like a striker that would be ideal to introduce out wide and bed him in but he doesn't look comfortable on the right and the left has too many bodies as is. Think he just needs to slow down, there is something there though. They're very unbalanced with right footed players in general though which they could do with addressing in the summer. Burns was the only lefty on the pitch Monday.

This is the 2nd season in a row without a meaningful relegation battle later in the season. Really mucks up the battles for the other spots as there's a good chunk of the league without much to play for.

Villa winning the Europa League next season feels like one of those things destined to happen.

Be shocked if TAA isn't out for a while. Physio made the call to sub very quick. Ankle ligaments be my guess. Bradley injured as well evens up that side. Diaz gave Hakimi a tough time of it so I'd be fearful of what he'd do to Trippier on the other side. Jota, Nunez are shot of confidence and Gakpo been struggling with injury of late. The performance against City really sapped my confidence for this one but there's just enough of doubt to keep me plugged in.

Would love to see them beat Real in the semis.

Seems to have more composure in front of goal than the other options despite his inexperience. More goal contributions are needed from midfield so that alone is a good argument for starting him especially in games they're expecting to be on top.

With the exception of Barnes the entire teams finishing has been rubbish this season and even Barnes has fluffed a fair few 1v1s, it's been more the instinctive finishes he's been getting. Maybe there's something more going on. Gordons work rate is off the charts though, he has at least one press every game that you'd never see another player make. You notice him adding little tricks to his game as well. He developed a stepover at some point last season to good effect and now when he receives the ball deep with his back to goal he's throwing in a little feint to help him get away from defenders. I don't think he reads the field that well though, particularly on a counter attack. Feels like he makes up his mind early and doesn't let things develop. When Bruno fired the volleyed wonder pass to him yesterday was a case in point. Think he'd Willock flying past him on the outside and it should've resulted in a tap in if he gave it but it was like he'd already decided he was going to cut in and shoot.