Ginola14

they're on takeover bounce with good comeback home win last weekend, Branthwaite back, and early evening kick off under the Goodison lights - their confidence should be high against a side that struggles away from home all things considered I'd be happy with a point

yep have it on NowTv

Good analysis. Think Howe is unfairly criticised a lot for not being tactically astute enough to be 'elite' yet hear he is setting up the team to contain one or the best sides ever against one of the greatest coaches ever, and succeeding (can't remember the xG but City's was v low).

need Brighton to play like this at SJP

think Howe has set the team up well but still too many of our players slightly off it, too sloppy at times the two yellows are disappointing, need to play aggressive against City but ref not allowing it

we'll need a miracle or them not showing up Isak out is a hammer blow like toughest home game of the season big fear is we go all out for 60 mins only for them to then kill us off with their subs hope I'm wrong!

Isak scored in both home games against these last season so of course he's out should not be risked of course but fucking frustrating as our chances of winning are far less now

L Robert magnificent assist for Kluivert then they and others were typically frozen out by fucking Souness

cup games against Chelsea still haunt me 96 FAC penalties 2000 FAC semi Poyet Mid 00s LC QF (I think) Mourinho/Drogba Last season LC penalties Unfortunately they're the most annoying cup specialists and their squad is built for this

top 6 would be a good season imo competition is fierce and I'm sure MU, Chelsea, Pool, AV, and Spurs fans will all be demanding CL qualification I wish fans in general would be more patient no doubt Howe needs to evolve our playing style, these things take time he deserves full season at the very least a trophy would make him a club legend - even if that means doing it the MU way last season after being largely terrible in the league

hmm tricky one to call, am not usually optimistic against City but this time think it might be different we were unlucky to lose this fixture last season having come into it on back if 3 successive league defeats and getting knocked out of the league cup - most were surprised with how good the performance was around this time last year City lost a few games without Rodri, including to Wolves in the league and us in the cup also we're usually much better at home - so hopefully we can really get at them and and take advantage of no Rodri and KDB

I don't look at the twitter cesspit but can imagine what it's like if the BBC ratings are anything to go by I'm sure Longstaff and his family are fully aware of all the ridiculously ott criticism too also seems so counter productive destroying his confidence

delighted for him winning at Anfield and becoming one of Forest's better players was sad to see him leave but understandable

I've noticed since early last season that every single game he scores around 2 on the BBC player ratings always waaaaay lower than every other player on the pitch, even when he scores/plays well! it's quite mad, honestly think there's a large portion of our fanbase that's slightly unhinged and if we ever do win something their sense of entitlement will become unbearable

refuse to click on gutter journalism links from the Daily Mail, anyone who writes for them shouldn't be taken seriously the media in general seem desperate for more drama at the club, it's all quite pathetic especially the constant emojis and headlines trying to sensationalise everything suppose it might help create a seige mentality which hopefully Howe can use to the team's advantage

would want a discount if he plays

if playing hardball is what it takes then I don't really care would be a long term signing, potentially future club captain etc

lol at people who were excited about the possibility of this transfer 3 weeks ago but now don't care because they're bored of it maybe they'd be happier if Todd Boehly were running the club

for me top 4 would be a great season a cup would be a great season regardless of league position, so big game away to Forest this week Top 6 / European football would still be a very good season no reason to think we can't achieve that if we can avoid another prolonged injury crisis

whatever happens this transfer window I'll still be confident we can have a good season with this squad and manager

the negativity around here is crazy .

both clubs playing high stakes poker here, at least there's only a few days left before everyone shows their hand

always a tough fixture this, not sure what to expect after opening weekend a draw would be ok a win would be brilliant a defeat would obviously be disappointing and will have plenty sharpening the knives for Howe

guessing we're waiting on CP to tie up their cb replacements before Guehi deal can be done

not doubting that Tap is up there with the best but to be fair to Guehi the PL is a level up from the Bundesliga