Lighthouse

Yes, missing 2/3 the season was the bit I hadn't hoped for.

I'd say Long, Austin, Boufal and J Rod haven't delivered what we had hoped, coupled with Virgil's injury and a busy cup schedule.

How's this one going to play out then...

Nurse! He's out of bed again. FWIW I'd have Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, AOC, Bellerin or Giroud any day of the week.

Seems the Dortmund team bus has been attacked.

We've never really had more than two though. Martina was pretty much set to leave until it became apparent that Pied was out for the season.

I'd like to think we can do a bit better, even just as cover. From what little we've seen of Pied, he looks to be at least sufficient and I wouldn't want to keep both.

TBH, without Mane they haven't been any better this season, he has been their difference. The drop in performance of Saints, West Ham, Leicester and Arsenal has flattered them somewhat. I can still see them ending up 5th.

Burley and Wright was my personal favourite. I've know idea quite how badly he'd have to have played to actually get dropped but Burley managed to fit him in at LB on occasions.

Can see a 'mutual consent' free transfer back to Steaua, or somewhere else.

That Palace result starting to look alright, sandwiched between their other recent games.

Would love it if we could get him here on loan. Austin, Gabbi, KI and SG would be a decent set of attacking options.

In the same way as buying a brolly guarantees it wont rain.

I always thought Fonte was as culpable as Hooiveld in our first season back up. The latter never got the benefit of playing alongside Lovren, Toby or Virgil, in front of Forster or behind Wanyama or Romeu. Fonte was good when he was here, I'm not trying to re-write history but it's a heck of a lot easier when you're alongside that kind of quality.

We need to win 4 more games than them and there are only 8 left to play. Never in a million years.

Bit of a mixed bag for City at the mo, in terms of form. Hopefully the team who played in Monaco will turn up, not the one which won 5-0 at West Ham. Same team baring J Rod in for Long, it it were up to me. Hopefully Gabbi can be fit enough for the bench.

Oh shut up, nobody cares what that idiot says. I'm most impressed that we've managed to win away with our best CB, striker and midfielder all absent. Also I'm pleased Clasie and Forster had decent games, although I'm fairly sure the former will depart in summer. I'd say getting above the Baggies and finishing 8th has to be our realistic (if meaningless) target. Top half and a possitive GD if nothing else please.

Well, we are winning way from home.

WTF are Reading taking this afternoon?

It's West Brom for crying out loud. They just lost to Watford and have naff all to play for.

He scored in his last game against them.

37 points will keep somebody up this season. We could put the kids out for the rest of the season and not be in danger.

Wonder if Fonte has a relegation wage drop clause...

Agree. If he's worth £30m, Yoshida is worth £40m from what I saw.

Going to be very tricky without Rom and Davis. I, guessing Hoj and Clasie will start in their place. Both really need to put in a performance. Other than that just J Rod for Long, unless Gabbi is 100%. No need to rush him back.