Shroppie

Great read, as always. Brightened my evening. Thanks. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

It also drowned out the crowd's cheering and singing as Saints took the field. Not good. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Pardon? Still deaf from the noise. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Too loud. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

It won't be the "first team", if by that you mean the usual Prem starters. Be'er Sheva may be slightly stronger as it's critical for qualification, but we'll still see about 18 players involved in the next 4 games. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

We have two midfield pairs. Up to now Claude has regarded Davis/Clasie as the league pair and JWP/Hojbjerg in the cups. That may be changing as JWP especially, and Hojbjerg had good games yesterday, but Davis and Clasie aren't reserves, just a different rotation. Personally, I think Davis is still better than JWP and Clasie is the weakest link. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

I think Hesketh still has an injury. Sims was excellent and really took his chance, which I think only came as Tadic and Hesketh are injured and Davis and Boufal ill. That's Sims, Hesketh and McQueen who've all broken though with a few others lurking. Looking good, and a real reflection on Koeman's lack of knowledge and trust. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

That's my worry. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

A 0-0 draw will get us through. Any other draw won't. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

No, because Celtic will finish bottom of their CL group and not be in Europa. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

It's Palace away on the Saturday before and Middlesbrough home on the Sunday after. We do need to be getting point from both those games so it won't a case of the strongest team in Europa and weakened in the league. But this is two home games and a short away trip, so no issues over travel. And 5 days recovery after Palace. So, if he wants to, he could play a string team at Palace and much the same on Thursday, bringing in replacements for tired players on Sunday, but I doubt he will. But in some positions I've got no problem with rotation. McQueen was close to being the best player last night - one of the few who was prepared to run at and challenge their defence. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

And so to the Be'er Sheva showdown, which will be difficult and dangerous. We need a win or a goalless draw, and I'm worried Puel will set up defensively for the latter. A score draw sees us out on away goals in the head-to-heads with Be'er Sheva. But at least it does mean the opposition must score to progress, so they can't park the bus. The nightmare scenario is them getting the away goal. We'd then need two, and one seems impossible at present. If it's 0-0 or 1-0 to us with 20 to go, I'll be terrified. We need a quick start and a two goal lead. Like Inter. Doh. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Strikers score goals. Redmond doesn't. Therefore he isn't a striker. He's also not a very good player. He makes mistakes, doesn't anticipate opportunities, doesn't bring the direct threat we need and is bad for the team in the way he constantly blames others. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Guess it will be Forster Cedric Virgil Fonte (if fit, or Yoshida) Bertrand Romeu Davis Clasie (but I'd rather Hojbjerg or JWP) Tadic (if the ref likes his mask) Austin Redmond (but prefer Long) If Tadic can't play, Boufal or drop Redmond back and start Long with Charlie. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Clasie was ok, but like all of our midfield, lacks the positive and incisive move. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Call me a simpleton if you like, but I applauded the effort. I don't believe any of the team tonight weren't up for it and I can't criticise the team. But obviously there is a problem, in that there is an obsession with retaining possession at all costs, and I think that cones from the manager. If your first thought is always not to lose the ball, you'll never try the quick incisive pass that opens up defences. And the front men aren't making the movement needed because they know the pass isn't coming. With the pace in the team tonight, we should have had them running ragged chasing back for balls over the top, yet after Shane was harshly pulled back for offside for one, I can't recall another worthwhile long ball into the space. You have to be brave to create chances and win games and I don't think our manager encourages bravery. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

I just read they're considering moving back to WHL if they qualify for Europa. Players hate Wembley, allegedly. Just hope they lose their last game and drop out altogether. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

English teams can't meet each other until the last 16 Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Can't get them in the next round. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Long queue now. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Driving licence is ok. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Ticket collected. ? Nice bar. Quite busy already. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

They gave a right to be there but I don't agree that a football match is an appropriate place for political statements. They should also realise that displaying political banners or flags could have serious consequences for the club. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

I liked the "Inter and Southampton are big clubs" ? But they'll be a much tougher proposition than the game at St Mary's. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

Very likely. I think he's being developed as Romeu's alternative. Important, as it's one of the few positions where we can't rotate at present. After an away Europa game most of the team will change back for Everton but Romeu is likely to need to start both. Using Reed to ease his workload seems sensible and I think he can do a job. Be good if we're winning comfortably when he comes on, though. Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk