Yorkie

Dunno about the pots but yes it's one big league as opposed to groups. Six different opponents as opposed to eight - three at home, three away. We'll enter at the play-off stage, 22nd and 29th August. Draw on 5th August. First league stage game is 3rd October.

It's a shame Pep isn't leaving this summer, like. Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, possibly Chelsea if they're really that insane, inevitably Spurs in the not-too-distant future... all changing managers / going through transitional seasons? The door would be very much ajar for an outsider to challenge. Not necessarily win, but for once be meaningfully in the mix.

Just realised that the only sending off we had this season, in 51 games, was that daft one Gordon got late in the West Ham game. That's some pretty excellent levels of discipline; obviously drilled into the players to avoid suspension at all costs given the injury situation. For comparison, Everton and Man Utd also got one each, and Luton got none.

I've no beef with Schär being the winner of this thing but in terms of quality then I think Barnes' just edges it. One of the cleanest and most wicked strikes of the ball from an NUFC player we've seen in some time, imo, plus it was a massive moment in the season.

That's a fantastic strike from Caicedo tbf.

Him CAM, Gordon LW and Saka RW at the Euros for me. Bellingham and Rice CM, Kane up top. Insane amounts of ability; Palmer, Bowen, Eze, Grealish - plus Rashford - all waiting in the wings. But Gordon for LW, definitely.

Foden is an incredible player. 27 goals this season; unreal return for a non-striker.

Great reference.

Tonali Bruno Joelinton HBA Isak Gordon

Echo everyone's sentiments here. Absolutely love how confident he is on the ball; moves his body really well to find passes and can really move with it too. Also looks like he'd be good for a few goals over the course of the season. Stocky as well, like, for a small lad. He looks like he's been bulking a bit which is a good call, because he's already got a low centre of gravity - will make him difficult to rob possession from. Not seen anything to suggest he can't be first choice next season.

He was probably closer to Colback's level than Bruno's. (Maybe exaggerating)

Yeah, agree with you. There's something unreal/manufactured/superficial about City that means I can't muster any emotion about anything they do. They're just this entity. I suppose I do find it a bit depressing, if anything. Specifically the thought of a club and fanbase so desensitised to winning that tension and drama is seldom experienced, with no meaningful fanfare as titles just inevitably rack up.

Unless we got a really, really good offer, I wouldn't entertain selling him. He'll be a steady contributor regardless of where we're challenging, imo. If we were relying on him we'd be in trouble, because he's not good enough to take games by the scruff of the neck, but he's a dependable option. He's good for the odd goal and assist, and he's got the pace and energy to maintain our press. That mad record we've got with him when starting can't be a total coincidence; he's clearly an important member of the squad and we missed him a lot when he was absent for that spell.

It's happened absolutely loads this season; surely a tactic. Burn and Botman vs Sheffield United Almiron and Bruno vs Sheffield United Isak x2 vs West Ham Gordon and Longstaff vs Palace Lascelles and Joelinton vs Chelsea Isak and Gordon vs Man City Schar x2 vs Villa Isak and OG vs Sheffield United Longstaff and Bruno vs Burnley Murphy and Isak vs Brentford That's goals with five minutes or fewer between them. It would be even more if I'd extended it to only six or seven minutes.

The thought crossed my mind too, Rod. Why the fuck not. Will reassess post transfer window, mind.