Jewel

We desperately need to get some positivity and momentum back into our performances and results, starting tonight.

Lose tonight and the season could fizzle out dramatically. We'll lose the cup final without laying a glove on Liverpool and then fade away into 10th or 11th in the league table, thus missing out on Europe, which will have grave consequences for us in the short-term at least. This is why tonight's game is so important.

He might make it in a certain role, but would he still be the Hatem that we knew and loved? Of course he would have the ability to make it today, but to do so he would need to have his flair and spontaneity drilled out of him. The best example of this in recent years is probably Jack Grealish at City. He was more productive at City, and the numbers may back that up, but he was a million times more interesting to watch when he was at Villa. I guess this is what we are discussing, is football as entertaining now as it was 20/30 years ago? I don't think it is, I blame the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho, and to a lesser extent, Rafael Benitez. Those chaps made it all about themselves and put themselves at the forefront, whereas when I was growing up it was the players.

Paqueta has been trying to prove a point to us ever since we refused to sign him.

Seems to be less and less room for the maverick these days. Flair and personality is discouraged, you have to stick rigidly to the system. Sad to think someone like Hatem Ben Arfa wouldn't make it in today's game. Hell, even some of our own fans were getting on his back for not "tracking back" or "putting a shift in".

Chelsea scored just as I was posting.

Be a good bonus result if Leicester can hold on against Chelsea.

Would take a Europa League spot at this point. It would give us another realistic shot at a trophy with the added bonus of a champions league spot at the end of it. I'd go so far as to say, if we're in the Europa League, we should make winning it our number 1 priority next season.

Whatever we do, let's just hope the club can get their business done quickly and efficiently. No more fucking about for months on end when it is obvious the deal won't happen, like with the Guehi saga.

City always seem to capitulate when we need a result from them.

Delap would be a great Callum Wilson replacement. Isak, not so much.

Fuck these lucky cunts

Don't buy anybody from PSV, they're shite.

I'd personally add Sven Botman to that list. Everybody else in that squad is replaceable.

Whoever we get in the summer, technical ability and the ability to keep the ball is an absolute must. I know Howe loves an athlete that can run and press all day long. He seems to prioritise these aspects too highly IMO. We need to move away from this and start targeting players with a bit of vision, intelligence and flair. Less robotic and more flair. I would love us go out and sign a David Silva type player.

Loathe to criticise Howe too much. That squad looks stale as fuck, which is understandable as we haven't bought a first team player for an absolute age. This summer is key. A rebuild and a rethink is needed.

Not me. I want somebody different to win it. Would like to see someone like Fulham or Bournemouth get their hands on the trophy. Please though, anyone but Manchester Utd.

Our players love smashing the ball into an opposition player.

Not even angry with this.

Doesn't matter. We aren't winning the final, whether Gordon plays or not.

No subtlety or invention to our game whatsoever. If we cant bludgeon teams with our 100 miles per hour, kick and rush style of play, we struggle badly.

They were always going to get top 5. Liverpool, Arsenal and City are nailed on for top 5. Everything else is up for grabs.

It's sad man, I can't see us beating this lot in thr cup final.

Just hope whatever happens tonight doesn't knock our confidence too much for the rest of the season.

Should have won a couple since then. Most painfully, the first 4-3 game in the 95/96 season comes to mind.