Optimistic Nut

I don't particularly want to sell him, I think he's great, but I think of all our players he's the one you could sell for big money and it'd hurt the team less. There's several wingers of an excellent standard you could buy for less than we sold him for.

If we're doing things right, then we're going to have end of seasons like this more often than not. We're not always going to be in a scenario where it's in our hands to beat a bottom half team at home to qualify for the Champions League.

We've won 20 out of 23 when we've taken the lead. That includes games were we've went for goals 2 and 3 and games where we've protected what we have. We're fucking good at doing both which the table and results prove. I'm happy for Eddie Howe to manage the game how he sees fit either way.

Couple of times late getting into the box which I think having to play slightly deeper to protect Murphy against Martinelli accounted for. I've still no idea why it's Barnes right and Gordon left, though. Switch them over.

Pope Livramento Burn Schar Botman Bruno Tonali Miley Murphy Barnes Isak (Gordon if no Isak) I'd chance Burn LB in the hope they offer bot all if it means going back to 4-3-3 here. Wilson offers nowt, I don't think this is the game to throw Osula in as number 9 so would be happy with Gordon there if we can't patch Isak up.

I think he could do a good job but he's on a hiding to nothing going to the Championship. He'd have to get them up, and then he'll have zero chance of keeping them up. If he goes up pissing the league playing great football, it might get him in the running for a Brighton/Bournemouth/Everton/Palace level job I guess.

Should be looking at Rice and thinking he could do that. It's why I think a season in The Championship where he's going to technically be one of the best in the league will give him a chance to gain the confidence to play like that.

Finally over this afternoon. Just to rub it in Galatasaray let their keeper take a late penalty in their win. He scored and was booked.

More convinced every time I see it that he was aiming for Dickov. Remember this game him being a little shit all game.

If Palace played it right, they could aim just to do the bare minimum in the league, smash the Europa League and end up with Champions League the following season.

Aye, 10 years ago you'd worry about them staying up maybe. They can give the Europa League a proper go safe in the knowledge they'll not go down. Think Quarter Finals of the Europa League should be par these days for any Premier League team.

I got a bit discount off a stadium tour recently.

Forest are the key here? Fail to win at West Ham today, beat Chelsea last day, we're in?

Happier to see the likes of Palace win a Cup than Villa, even more since we won our trophy.

With or without Rice this is the sort of game where I want Bruno & Tonali to play at their top level against the big boys. They've done it plenty this season but for the odd couple of occasions. If they win that battle I think we'll win today.

We're having a 9/10 season, City a 3/10 one but there's nowt between us in the league. The odd occasion they have performed as expected, they'll still turn teams over.

Aberdeen going from 31 points and 2nd after 12 games, to finish on 53 points and 5th after 38 games, has to go down as one of the biggest collapses ever.

I think he could do a Wood-like job for us.

Just over 2/1 for Arsenal/Draw & Bournemouth/Draw v City (used this as I reckon it'd be similar odds for Everton v us).

So basically if we'd shown title form since Christmas we'd not be in a predicament of needing a home win to a bottom half side to qualify?

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/to-finish-outside-the-top-4 11/4 to finish outside the top 4. Bonus if we finish 5th where it's literally win-win.

Scotland with an awful fruit salad away kit...Adidas.

I think if we had to win that, we would have. We obviously tried to win it but knowing we only needed a draw meant we had that fallback. I think b Everton knowing we have to win, we will.

Yeah, completely get this.

Coming on for the last 10-15 minutes, aye.