Tomo

The last time I really "felt" an FA Cup season from the off was 02/03, I remember Everton (our rival for top 4) being shocked at Shrewsbury then we drew them in the next round and I was really fretting we'd get the same. Initially I thought my diluted feelings towards the cup were because we suddenly had bigger fish to fry in the Roman era but many times this decade we have been out of the title race with minimul chance of the CL (or in last season's case not even being in it) and it still felt a bit meh. Even the later stages doesn't bring half the tension it should. I'd still love to win it because a trophy is still a trophy but I think the country need to start accepting it's reduced status in the modern game, trying to cling on to the "romance" of the Cup (the draw last night was absolutely cringeworthy) when even Championship sides are sticking B teams out is doing no favours to anyone, least of all the Cup itself.

I think it will still be a year too early for the title next season, Liverpool and City will still be that step ahead and the young boys will still be that little bit too young. Comfortable top four will be the next natural step and one that should be made.

His record in the Dutch league I reckon may have had him doubting himself. 7 goals (I think only 3 non pens) in 25 games in a league that duped the world into thinking Afonso Alves was world class.

Solanke is a weird one, whenever I see him he never seems particularly bad but I always feel hell will freeze over before he scores.

Unpopular opinion no doubt but with the way they present these draws and the outrage people show over teams playing weakened Xls in the cup, people are clinging onto what it use to be. While I'd still like to win it the FA Cup just isn't that big a drawer anymore, I use to buzz for it especially 3rd round weekends but nowadays I find it almost as boring as international breaks. Sad i know but it is what it is.

Its actually really poor timing for his legs to go this season. 16/17 Pedro or even last season's version would have been the perfect foil for the young players. Imagine being one of the young lads against Bayern and a guy who was a part of the greatest side ever by your side in battle.

Always better to have the option than to not. Getting it overturned for ultimately no reason was always going to be a much better scenario than letting the ban carry on and all of a sudden a top player who would have been willing to come here but is not willing to wait for us. For example, at the point the ban was overturned it was looking reasonably possible Sancho was going to be available this January. Imagine if it emerged we could have got the ban overturned, didn't and Jadon moved to United? No matter what happens in the next few days, it was always the right decision to overturn.

I quite liked Sturridge. Torres being picked over him in 12/13 is the only time I've ever (systematically) ranted during my time here.

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1219955509131988992/pu/vid/608x336/TAgQImn1Di9xTyLU.mp4 Vision, speed of thought and spatial awareness, five either openings or space created against Arsenal (two of which culminated in big chances) due to those attributes of his mentioned above in that video alone and that didn't include his assist through a wonderfully weighted ball into the box. I'll accept he was a bit disappointing yesterday, but I will defend him against any critisism for his performance against Arsenal, he was the main reason we created as much as we did, especially in the first half and is the very last person that should be copping flack for the fact we didn't win that night.

Helicopters make me nervous. I'm a regular flyer on a commercial jet and am fine during even intense turbulence but I've been on one helicopter ride and was shaking like a leaf for the duration and about half an hour afterwards, never again.

Maybe not but whether subconsciously or not there still won't be that intense pressure if they're drawing 1-1 to lose a lead from 16 to 14 points than there would be if they were losing to Atletico with 20 minutes to go, all of a sudden they're thrust into a situation they haven't been in for yonks whereas Leti are currently in am every point matters situation domestically.

Its not about being use to it but they will lack the same sheer sharpness they had last year when every single match was crucial. I know people will say it may be good they can rest players for the league but if it was that straight forward Bayern and PSG would have been sharing the trophy between them ever since we won it. Out of all the English finalist's in CL era, all of them went to minimum the penultimate weekend of the season with either the title or top 4 at stake. Liverpool can afford what six slip ups and still be top in the league, to go from that much room for error to being thrust back into a situation where as much as one minor mistake can be fatal is a lot more difficult mentally than people acknowledge.

It will get worse in the coming years with the pricing of players. Good timing for us to have the best academy teams for generations.

Was never going to be an upset today, Tranmere had 120 minutes on Thursday night against Watford and United put out a strong side (compared to what you usually see from a big side against these type of opponents). Speaking of which, I'm rather surprised Klopp hasn't gone a bit stronger than usual, with such a big lead at the top they could do with some do or die match practice before the CL kicks off.

As frustrating as it is it's also something to give hope. 99% of the time when a team under or overperforms their XG/XP they revert to their medium at some point. It's accurately forecast Tottenham's downfall, that Emery's spell at Arsenal wasn't sustainable, City's rise to dominance, United's miserable end under Jose (although I guess that was obvious to anyone) amoung other things. Looking at this season's table I think it's safe to predict Newcastle will likely be relegated this season or next. As the saying goes, it's better to be wasting chances than not creating atall. That's one of the reason's I'm not questioning Lampard yet, because the problems are mainly structural, although he does have aspects that need improving (his team selections especially).

With the way he behaved at the end (especially at City) i'd genuinely root for even Rafa or Wenger if it's one or the other (save for circumstances like Conte returning here or Conte at say Leicester up against a big six rival). The team I wanted at the start was Napoli, I'm not the biggest fan of Ancelotti the manager but the way he conducted himself here even at the worst points mean I'll always wish him well.

Lovely, was worried Conte was going to win it for a while.

Strange that this is only on page 8 with the Lamps thread untouched, bet that wouldn't have been the case had they levelled. In fairness to Barkley he did he okay when he was playing deeper however as soon as Mount went off and he went higher all the frustrations about his game returned with a vengeance. He should be considered an option for a deeper lying position but for the more attacking berth he should be a super sub at absolute most.

Im glad it's looking like Frank sees Gilmour as a deeper midfielder. Could be a natural changing of the guard with Jorginho if all goes well.

Mount's fault!

Can you turn up every time we have a lean spell in a match?

Apart from the usual elephant in the room I've enjoyed that. Far too many times going away to Championship sides end up scrappy (remember Norwich two years ago?) but we've gone there played our game and dominated.

Yep

Can understand not going too youth centric given this is our best chance of a trophy however Lamptey should have started with Azpi rested. Given the fact he's been playing with knocks for months Mason should have been rested too.

As a winger now way, he will in my opinion never have the consistency to be a title winning winger. Adama would be worth a gamble if wingbacks were a big part of Frank's plan, Wolves were prepared to negotiate a fair enough price AND Lamptey walks in the summer but while the former and latter two scenarios could happen at a push, the middle one never will.