jasonb

I can only think Henderson wants more England glory, has Southgate spoken to him?

I think this is Nkunku's second set back from his earlier serious injury, not looking good. Just hoping he does not join our crocked list of James, Fofana and Chilwell. Still it is good Broja has found the net to give him some belief as we will need him with Jackson at Afcon.

Mudryk was key in this, his battling to keep possession and feed Gusto sets up the first. After that a poor Broja no longer looked a shadow and was unlucky not to get another. We gave Alfie a run out and left Gallagher out for most of it. Palmer was the only one I thought looked like doing something in the first half yet in the end we had four different scorers which must give us confidence going into the semis against Boro. I watched some of Boro and would not say they are good yet are defensive minded and keep a good shape.

I didn't see that yet just found this and is very interesting, from 22 mins on covers the Chelsea period yet the whole thing is interesting, the nightmares after missing one chance in a final, the mistake of turning down Arrigo Sacchi in the international side. His best goal for Juve where he hits it into the top left yet admits he was going for top right. A class act

Chaps (and Jane ) the last time we got more than 75 points was in 2016-2017 under Conte when he won the league, we have not finished in the top two since. We need better players to be recruited they normally look for better wages, hint from history Sparta beat the Athenians at sea as they paid thier rowers more than the Athenians. Of course if we can identify the right up and coming youngsters that might work though for me there are few if any recent examples. We certainly have a huge challenge ahead perhaps something gives or Lady Luck smiles on us.

With some luck regarding injuries we might make 8th or maybe 7th. Then the next season aim for the top 4. This does presume you can recruit better players at least in some positions.

We seem to lose matches in the second half when our pressing game probably loses its energy, perhaps it is giving their midfield runners the momentum to push forward and make good passes to the wide players to whip in crosses.

Or hire John Terry for the half time talk with a tin bucket to kick around in the corridor outside.

We have American owners now not Russians and associates of Putin and American owners know about litigation so if they try and pull a fast one I don't think they will get away with it.

He has also scored with one touch when he sees it coming across the space between keeper and back four though played into his feet around defenders he struggles.

This season Villa acquired Leon Bailey and Pau Torres and both seem to be playing well for them. They seem to complement the rest of the squad and strengthen it.

Just comment on part before i need to prioritise the Xmas doings so to speak. Enzo in and Jorgy out yet I don't think he wants to be a defensive mid and our current other midfielders are athletes built for box to box play. I think for us he will be an expensive mistake. On Chilwell and Fofana I do not think are reliable players to back either because of injury profiles. With FFP we cannot afford too many expensive mistakes or we will end up like Leeds and everyone seems to want to fleece us in the transfer market.

I think we will win because Palace are worse than us and we are at home. Will be interesting to see how we line up without Sterling or Palmer.

The only thing is Poch was meant to be experienced and Potter up and coming. Lets not forget Frank either. With FFP you can't afford too many mistakes,

I saw the line-up today and voted for a loss. I don't like the constant tinkering he seems to be doing, injuries and suspensions excepted. However with Nkunku fit we should have enough at SB to beat Palace.

So he does, think I should have said Caicedo and notice he is not on the bench, I take it he is injured.

Taking out Gallagher and Badashile may cost us today.

Might be a message for the player agents........

Interesting that their fans sang his name a couple of weeks back when they lost, seems almost like they already knew. I am curious to see what Nuno does and whether Santos now gets game time.

I think we would be crazy to get rid of Poch before the end of this season and expect him to be there next season. Now we have reached a cup semi with a good chance of reaching the final the squad will be uplifted, Nkunku coming back will also add more attacking quality. Perhaps also our luck is changing as noticed Newcastle doubling up on Palmer now at least with Nkunku the opposition will be more concerned. Our wider squad is reasonable just our starting 11 and predominantly with injuries holding us back. Will be interesting to see where we look to strengthen this window.

Reminds me of Mourinho playing Azpilicueta at left back.

I thought we would get to the semis though think that will be it so expecting us to go to Anfield as we should beat the rest. Nice to see Mudryk make a difference and keep us in it. Good to see the second keeper make a save too. I also like Poch bringing on Broja early for Enzo when he thought it was not working,

Newcastle are now out of Europe with only the domestic cups left, this could be a cracker of a game as neither club wants to go out early.

Yes there is always that risk after a long lay off he comes back a different player and not in a good way yet of course we hope for a good outcome. Suggests to me do not get rid of any strikers until we get other replacements.........

The pass hits his trailing leg, certainly not going for him currently.