OTF

I was just about to praise Trippier, then he passed the ball straight to them.

That's the third time now we've got deep into their box unmarked with noone to play it to.

Howe or someone else has more recently said he's fully fit. Not playing due to the form of Barnes and Murphy which is thus far largely absent in this game.

Smug is the first word that comes to mind when I see his face. Contrary is the second.

We're no longer managed by Joe Kinnear or Steve Bruce.

Twice Murphy has been behind their defense deep in their box with time but noone to pass it to, and both times he passed it anyway. Should either have held if up a moment with a feint, or taken a shot on target (hoping more for a follow up goal than a direct one).

Shit refereeing, that's a foul on Bruno you can use your body when you're both competing for the ball, not when someone has played the ball past you.

At this stage would you bring him on for Murphy and shift Barnes to the right or for Barnes?

Willock's run off the ball then gave Barnes no options.

If only Bruno could shoot.

Pretty poor defending from Tino really. Possibly down to being out of his favoured position and carrying a knock.

Of course. Ffs.

Brighton are scintillating to watch, it's like turning the clock back to the glitz and glam of Roger's 2011 Swansea.

Better outfield player than Gordon (Banks).

Bugger all contact there and Minteh was either playing for it or his touch is shithouse because he was never getting to the ball before it went out.

Noone for Murphy to pass to despite the great lead up play.

Unsurprised

FYP

I think he gets around OK, especially for his size but I do think Howe wants the attack minded focus and speed on the ball of Willock who will take more chances and run at defenders. Willock actually is quite physical in defense as well, and busts a gut getting around. Obviously he lacks the size and strength of Joelinton (and Miley) but he gives it a red hot go. He's not a 90 minute player because he keeps nothing in reserve, there's a point in most game where you see his legs go. I don't have a problem with this in attacking player in current times when you're afforded 5 substitutions. Willock will 95% start. I just hope he can bring a little more end product than he has of late. He's the same percentage to be subbed off at some point when Miley will likely get a run.

Good point.

It's great to be having this discussion at this stage of a season. Even better with a fresh trophy in our cabinet.

I do agree that from a games perspective Europa league would be a lot of fun, and that we should fancy ourselves as having a good shot at it. It's just that the extra load of games with a squad that we can't bolster as much with Europa vs. Champion's League stretches us even further and dampens our chances of subsequent qualification (like us last season). All said and done Europa is still highly desirable it would just be frustrating to miss out on Champion's League from here. It's more than a bit miserable to think like this but sadly that's what PSR, FFP, FSR have lead us to.

Except you have the additional load of games and subsequent player demands without anywhere near the amount of remuneration and winning it is not as easy as you make it sound. Of the prize money in the European competitions 75% is apportioned to the Champions League, 17% to Europa and 8% to Conference League. Winning the Europa League nets you a tidy sum; ballpark €13m on top of the equal share and value pillar, the latter of which is based off European coefficient/ranking (teams with little or no European football in the preceding years receive a smaller percentage of this stream compared to clubs with frequent European football). The bigger prize from winning is qualifications to the Champions League. If you want to get an understanding of how much difference the 'value pillar' makes to revenue for clubs in the champions league the best comparison is us versus Man Utd from 23/24. We were both knocked out in the group stages. Our results were better in the group stage; 1W, 2D, 3L compared to their 1W, 1D, 4L so our performance based income was higher. They received €60m, we received €34m. Further ingrained monopolisation of the top financial positions of football clubs. Man United's total prize money from the Europa League this season will probably end up being more than ours from the Champion's League and that's before you even consider how if they win it they'll be in the Champion's League next season. Victory in the Europa League final is a HUGE get out of free jail card to (at this stage) one of Tottenham or Man Utd. As well as the bonus of winning it's effectively a minimum €60m additional revenue next season PLUS additional ticket sales, corporate revenue and sponsorship etc. If they progress beyond the group stages that base €60m could be upwards of €100m. It would be amazing if they both somehow didn't win it.

I'd also like to see Miley start, but not really expecting it. Joelinton out for the season is a big miss, Miley with his size should bring more presence and physicality than Willock, and as I've said many times he's very good at retaining possession and with his range of passing his chemistry with other players will only improve with more time on the pitch.