David Kelly

Keegan wasn't very good at buying keepers unfortunately. Neither of them two were remotely close to being top class. If we'd had a keeper close to Schmeichel's quality we'd have probably won the league. Not that those sort of keepers grow on trees.

Saying someone is out of form isn't ridiculous at all, in fact I've said the very same thing. But someone being out of form doesn't make him a keeper on the level of Mike fucking Hooper or any of the other borderline competent keepers he has been compared to over the last few pages. We tried to sign Trafford and ultimately brought in Ramsdale because it's obvious that there is an area of Pope's game that is weak, his ability with his feet. Pope ended last season and started this season well, hence winning his place back in the England squad, so there has not been any need/opportunity to bring in Ramsdale. Now the opportunity is there and it's in the teams, and probably Pope's best interests to make the change. But that doesn't change the fact that he has been very good for most of his time here.

Ridiculous amount of stick that Pope is getting. He's been a fantastic keeper for us since he arrived. Given is the only keeper I've seen for us who compares to him, I loved Pav but come on he wasn't a top class keeper. Pope is going through a bad spell, which has cost us in the last three away games (and could have cost us early on against city), and the concerning thing is his decision making more than anything else. He should be dropped now because if players aren't performing they shouldn't retain their place in the team, and what would be the point of bringing Ramsdale to the club if we're not prepared to play him when the other player in his position is out of form. But honestly, I thought I'd accidently clicked on twitter rather then toontastic when I read some of the shit over the last few pages.

He's clearly learning something from Klopp, no doubt he will start talking about the celling's of us and City next. But it's how to create a good team that he should probably be focussing on.

Thiaw was excellent again last night (the first goal against Brighton has been his only blip so far). Krafth never lets us down defensively but he offers nothing going forward. I did feel slightly for Elanga playing in front of him. When you want to try and get yourself going, having Krafth as you main line of supply isn't what you want. It's a different thing if your flying, knowing he's going to be solid defensively behind you.

Neither would Le Bris. Obviously I understand the long odds given the way they are performing at the moment, but we all know how quick them lot are to turn on managers (they wanted him out before the playoffs ffs). If they go through a bad spell I don't doubt they'd be quick to turn on him. They lost against Burnley and some of the things they were saying were unbelievable.

Looking back, Howe might think he made a mistake chucking the game at Anfield. Slott clearly doesn't have an answer anyway so he may as well have played the same way and won both games.

Aye I despite the confirmation of the new contract during his ban, I'd still like to hear news of an improved deal for him. He's clearly our best player now.

I was saying something similar last night. Went back further to Tomasson and his first game (Shef Wed I think) where he had a goal wrongly disallowed and then missed a couple.

Re Tonali, it's getting to the point now where I don't even look for whether he's having a good game because 99 times out of 100 he's one of the best 3 players out of the 22 on the pitch. He's up there with Gazza, Lee & Speed as the best midfielder I've seen for the club. I'm possibly sticking with Lee as number one because of the goals and longevity. I think if Sandro hangs around for a few more seasons and adds a few more goals then he'll be top. On Woltemade, I was saying something similar last night. From the videos I watched of him when he signed, I don't think he's a thunderbastard type, but I would like to see him put one or two away when he's been played though on goal and he just slots it in. I thought Dan Burn was magnificent last night btw. It's easy to pick the likes of Sandro as MOM because he's clearly brilliant but BDB is a player doesn't have the same natural ability as some of our lads, and is basically playing out of position, and last night he seemed to be everywhere (including laying that on for Ramsey to burst into the box early on). He seemed to win everything in the air (which you could say he should given his height but we all know he doesn't always), was overlapping down the wing and one point was in the middle with Woltemade looking for a cross. Ramsdale's long (directed) balls up to him also provided a good starting point to a number of attacks too. Elanga's confidence looks absolutely shot. You'd expect a player coming off the back of the season he had with Forrest would be full of confidence but for some reason that seems to have very quickly left him. I don't know whether the fact he was coming here expecting to be lining up alongside his international mate or what, but it's a bit concerning at the moment. He desperately needs a goal or at least a couple of assists to get him started.

Howe did clarify that the 6 week preseason didn't mean he wouldn't play during that period, just that he would expect him not to be fully up to speed before then.

Do you not think last night's team was exactly that? Both Joelinton and Tonali could have started I'm quite sure but Howe chose to rest them. But I think we still have to play players where they are suited to playing. Miley doesn't seem to do as well on the left of the three for my money, so if it's Joelinton who misses out, I can only see it being for Ramsey. If he rests Tonali, I don't see him leaving out Joelinton again. Then I would expect Miley to start. The fact that we have three games at home rather than having to travel between games will impact things as well.

I wouldn't play Miley instead of Joelinton. It would harsh to leave the kid out as he played really well last night, but I don't think he's suited to cover Joe on the left of the three. If we're leaving him out, it has to be Ramsey starting for balance. If Tonali is fully fit, I can't imagine him not starting.

Bruno was only slightly behind Gordon as MOM for me. I thought the pair of them were superb. But I can't fault any of them last night, it was a quality performance. They seemed to target Burn in the first half and that was where their chances came from, but he pulled himself round and ended up having a solid game. Would have loved to see that volley go in from him. Special praise for Miley. For a 19 year old to come in and replace Tonali and look so comfortable is exceptional. Let's hope we don't have to sell him to Forest as well!

I am. Fucking skint with all these cup games.