Jamesmcc222

One of the few football journalists I rate. Seems to always be fair about us too (called us the 3rd best premier league team multiple times this season).

Exactly. Keep coming back to it but Howe clearly sees a lot on the training pitch and having older heads in the dressing room is key. We are offering him what he thinks he is worth. As seen with Longstaff he will phase him out once he gets better options. Playing a barely fit Isak over Wilson vs Everton shows me he no longer trusts him but if he wants him around the place and Wilson wants to stay on a better financial deal then I’m all for it. Team spirit has a lot to do with where we are and how we compete vs others who get the benefits of farcical financial rules. I’m sure he realises we need a better back up anyway.

Not sure Trippier has the engine to play RWB especially if not fully fit. Reckon he’d go back to 4-3-3. Is it confirmed they are missing their first choice defenders?

Currently one of our major advantages over the established ‘big’ clubs is the intangible aspect of team spirit. You can see from the celebrations how involved Lascelles, Gillespie and others are in the squad. Eddie can be ruthless as seen with Fraser and others. I think right now however these guys, and that squad togetherness is well worth the money and places in the squad.

Whilst Tino largely kept him quiet I thought he looked pretty dangerous throughout. Some lovely first time layoffs, a couple of great balls in including for the pen and uses his slightly unusual body shape really well. Also seems highly intelligent in his runs and timing of pass. I think he’s be an excellent signing and offer us a different dimension. Think he’s probably my preferred in that position from those linked.

Think it has a lot to do with who is playing in front of him. Joelinton, Gordon and Barnes can all take the ball under pressure and Tino likes to give it and look for the return. No disrespect to Murphy, just not a strong part of his game. Means Tino plays with more confidence I reckon and that shows across all aspects of his game.

Extra 30 mins in the legs feels a lot worse after a pen shootout loss than a win, I’ll tell you that* *based on no actual experience.

Honestly not too disheartened about it and hope the players aren’t either. The final coming up and Liverpool basically having already won the league gave it a really odd backdrop in which players largely went through the motions. I think 2-0 or 3-1 was always going to be the result. Saying all this I don’t think they look perfect and the cup will be a completely different occasion. We as fans have to go in with the expectation that we can win, I’m confident the players will. The threat of Isak completely changes the dynamic, with him this could have been seen as a good counterattacking performance. Largely limited chances and made a couple ourselves. They are clearly favourites but we have a fighters chance, and that’s enough for me.

Ozzyempic

Yep agree. Once we are leading Joelinton basically plays as a left sided centre half supporting Hall anyway. So given he can’t do that may as well have a centre half do it, who can also support from corners, rather than a midfielder not used to it.

This is caused by Joelinton absence rather than being defensive I think. he’s picked his best 11 rather than a particular system (trips aside). Could give hall more license and Gordon more space inside. Wouldn’t class it as “shitting the bed”.

That’s potentially true but I think those stars are bought in enough to realise that if they don’t make the champions league that might be on them. I might be naive but there seems to be a collective responsibility there that they win together and lose together. And they owe it to each other to make it to the top.

It was really poor. But we are part of a group of really good teams who play each other quite often and it will be decided by the first goal,confidence, woodwork etc et. The league has never been like this. The quality outside of the promoted teams are insane. Man U and Spurs, as hilarious as they are, in any other league in Europe are top 6. Which is why they are favourites for the Europa. Which is a long way of saying we are going to have weirdly poor days and exceptional days. But I trust Eddie and these players to do more of the latter than the former. And they will be so up for Wednesday, as will we

I think the third one seems better when you are watching it live, the anticipation when he is running through makes the finish that much better. It’s one of those on highlights once you know it’s a goal doesn’t have quite the same hit. Still a lovely bit of play though and shows Tonali at his absolute best. Both great goals to be honest, with genuine top class play.

I think he comes across really well to be fair. Similar to Gordon, engaging to listen to and not just a robot on answers.