Premier League — Matchweek 28

Luton get a draw

And Luton snatch a point last min

Just after Olise hit the bar. And it was Townsend's super cross.

All Palace. Should have been a cricket score.
Shite!!

Was it ever in doubt? We are going to have to beat all the teams around us to stay up but we can't buy a win and I don't know where it's going to come from.

We aren't playing too badly but we are abysmal in front of goal.

Spot on Colin and if you can't score goals you can't win matches.

It brings Palace back into it.

It will come down to Luton away and I don't fancy us there.
They fight for it.

Was that the point that sends us down?

Arsenal with their Pep inspired (obsessive) passing game have just shot themselves in the foot.

Crunch games with undoubtedly be Sheffield Utd and Burnley at home, absolutely must-win games, and of course Forest come to Goodison, then the Luton match at Kenilworth Road.

We simply have to take 7 points from that batch of games; otherwise, we will deserve everything we get.

We've got to beat Burnley and Sheff Utd, two woeful teams of Championship standard. But, having said that, we will actually need to score goals to beat them, and we've not done that at Goodison all season really.

Here's Maupay!

Arsenal 2-1

Phew, glad to see that one go in, though Havertz should have got a second yellow for that fecking dive in the area.

Never a penalty that.

I see that players surrounding or sprinting to the referee to remonstrate with him is now seemingly allowed.

And another thing! If a defender pulls an attackers shirt in the box, why isn't a penalty given?

Allan Smith co-commentating claiming the shirt wasn't held for long enough. Surely foul play is foul play?

It's so depressing watching other teams play well with a tremendous atmosphere and real determination to go on and win the biggest prizes. It's always another team... and never us!

We're nowhere near on any level. Maybe the new stadium will represent some big turning point in our history?

I'm just tired of it all.

Sadly, Lee, you already know the answer to all that. The last game of the season has become our cup final.

Lee, all we can do is hope, but I still feel the stadium is 10 years too late for us to catch up. We needed Kings Dock. But we all know what happened there.

I'd be happy just seeing an Everton team score goals, with a few forward passes.

Dyche, "you've got to be prepared to get hurt to score a goal".

What the fuck does that mean? (Is he talking about Micky Lyons v Leeds?). And the by now classic, "The longer you go without a goal the more likely you are to score one"?!

Difference between Everton and Tottenham?

1 cross, 1 goal.

Paul #21, he meant to do what Garnacho did to us yesterday. Sprinting into the box with purpose. You do that, you create space for other players, you get fouled and get a free kick or penalty, you maybe even create a shooting chance.

At the moment, the lack of confidence in the final third is making us tentative, we look like we know we're not going to score.

Shit!!

Don't know what my mate wee John was thinking there??

Red all day.

John # 24… that was an awful challenge by McGinn. He made no attempt to play the ball at all. Deserved red card.

On the point of the forwards not playing with confidence. I don't think it helps when the Captain faces the other way when one of them steps up to take a penalty!

Didn't see the Spurs score coming. I fancied Villa.

Watching the Brighton v Forest game and noticed grabbing someone from behind with 2 hands around their waist does not seem to be a foul anymore.

Corners aren't corners anymore, they are a fucking wrestling match.

There must be about 3 penalties per corner with all the pulling, blocking off and dragging back.

Burnley leading 2-1 at West Ham.

That makes it even more painful when we lose to teams like West Ham at home!

Spurs look good.

Give Postecoglu his dues here, he knows how to get a team that can attack.

It's easy to say he's got good players at Spurs but so too did Mourinho, and he didn't get the attacking side of it right.

It just goes to show that whilst much of the time it's the players, having a positive manager that brings about positive vibes does play a considerable factor.

2-2 West Ham

Good ol Davey Moyes!

Shit VAR FFS

Risky, I know, but I wouldn't mind Burnley and Blades getting close to Luton and Forest. They have been on the up with little pressure on them. Let's see how they do with some weight on their shoulders.

2-2 now definite.

Really bad and sad when we have to say thanks to Brighton and West Ham.

Suck it up and get your shinpads on. We are staying up but it will be ugly.

The rollercoaster continues ………

Yesterday totally depressed but today I'm a little more upbeat after today's results and hopefully a Man City win will make me feel 100% better.

Ex-Everton man puts Man City ahead.

Clever goal!

Stones. Good man.

I'm a big big Bournemouth fan on Wednesday.

Great set-piece agent, Stones, made the shite look silly and third – the toothy. one would be giving Ebere a game.

What a strange character Klopp is. All fake smiles and grinding jaws.

And once again, those brilliant teams below us drop points as well. Let's hope Bournemouth beat Luton then Forest and Luton draw.

More importantly, let's hope our players rediscover the idea of passing forwards and moving with purpose, and find some conviction in their shooting boots.

10 games left.

Bournemouth, Burnley, Sheffield, Forest, Brentford and Luton. If we can't get enough points from that lot, then we don't deserve to stay up.

Thank you, Mr Danny Ings.

All over the pitch, City have such better quality than the shite, in just about every position. The closest is keeper. City do not lose when ahead at half-time.

No great damage done to us with this weekends results

I think that we'll be saying that a lot over the next couple of months, Colin.

“City do not lose when ahead at half-time.”
FFS Paul, shush!!!

Paul agree about Coby Ebere, 11 in 8 games. The naysayers on here will say it's only U18s but what did anyone say when we started Rooney or Fergie played teenagers or the Devil's Children?

Let's face it – none of the present team can hit a barn door. Who dares wins!

Penalty for the shite, ffs!

Everything that is wrong with football, a booking and a penalty, even though he never touched the Liverpool player who got there first and simply took off, IMO.

Jesus, Ederson, what were you thinking?

Sorry Mark.

Commentator so excited the Shite have scored, almost ran onto the pitch, biased twat.

I can't help but feel that Man City need to win this, obviously must not lose but I think they need to win to put a mental blow on that lot.

If the Shite win this, then without trying to discard Arsenal too soon here, I think they will go on to win the league. I just hope they ain't lifting the fuckin' trophy at Goodison.

Tony - I'm not watching as I won't watch them unless they're playing us but, according to the Telegraph commentary it was a “stonewall penalty”?

If that was Everton at Goodison, then I'm convinced Beto would have been given a yellow card for simulation, after VAR had advised Michael Oliver to go and have a look on the screen.

I'm aware it's a penalty in the modern game, but it's very subjective though when you can see that the Liverpool player had no intention whatsoever of staying on his feet, which might be alright if he had actually got touched, Mark.

Only one way to beat Man City and that is by out energizing them. Liverpool have started the second half full of energy, which suggests they have all been on the inhalers at half-time!

Man City, for all the great sides they've had in the last 10 years, just can't seem to keep their cool in the Cesspit.

'kin hell! City hanging on.

City are a complete shambles since the Ake backpass. Their heads have gone.

Although I'm desperate for a City win I'd still rather Arsenal win the Premier League, a draw could be best all round.

I still think, with Arsenal as good as they've been this season, they'll throw in another mad defeat somewhere we don't expect.

These shites are like the Duracell bunnies!! They've never stopped!

So much for our vaunted fitness. No way could we keep up with this lot!

John,

I'm not sure where or who mentioned us being a fit side?

We always look shelled after an hour and very rarely finish games with a flourish.

I don't know likewise what Klopp has fed these fuckers during his time there but they never ever tire, I agree.

You know those lead boots that deep sea divers wear??

Well, Haaland has a pair on today. If Calvert-Lewin or Beto were that lazy, we'd go spare!

Think that should have been a penalty for the RS at the end.

There's an enormous difference between fitness and purpose. These two teams have both.

Possibly Rob. The City player wasn't brave enough and should have already cleared the ball with his head. His feet were high, so it wouldn't have surprised me if it had been given.

Dead interesting Paul T, because my partner has just been telling me about these machines that “asthmatic footballers” are now using, and they are supposed to do absolute wonders for a player's lungs.

Tony,

A pity The World's Greatest Evertonian didn't buy a load for Finch Farm rather than lawnmowers.

A stupid pass back changed the whole game and energised Liverpool, they won nearly every second ball and I thought they would go on to win.

Where do they get the energy from? It doesn't seem natural, I mentioned the inhalers a couple of weeks ago, are they back?

Man City still don't seem the same team to me, but a draw doesn't really harm them today.

I thought those Red Shites would win today and had a score on them, glad to lose it, I just thought if they were going to win, I might as well get something out of it.

It was a great game of football though, wasn't it?

They definitely exist Tony, apparently Liverpool have a high number of asthmatic players.

When I say purpose, it's striking how in both of these teams, every shot, pass, tackle and movement has real meaning and intensity.

A wonderful mix of coaching, motivation and sheer will. Both these teams consistently show this.

Watching Chelsea v Newcastle verdict there are teams as bad as Everton in the league.

Looks like Eddie Howe will be available soon.

Take away the Top 3 teams and I don't believe that there is really that much between most of the other teams outside the bottom three Bill.

Man Utd are 6th, West Ham 7th, and with better finishing against the latter and more composure against the former then I think we could have beaten both of these teams in the last 10 days.

Can't argue there, Tony.

I have to pay for all Premier League teams just so I can watch Everton. After their game, I am usually that depressed that I usually don't watch many more games now. I used to enjoy watching all games but, as they say, football is not the same now and it's hard to get a decent game.

It's become that much of a saturated television sport, but I rarely want to watch much football anymore, Bill, although I still like going to watch live football inside a stadium.

Great to see Tom Lockyear there on the pitch.

Oh dear, and from Ross's cross too.

Sucker punch.

I do not think even one of our players could have missed that.

Donner und blitzen. Luton ahead.

The port wine will run cold in Portugal. Bournemouth are bloody inconsistent.

We are probably going to be hoping Forest get a bigger points deduction than us. I reckon that's about the only thing that will save our arse this season.

I've said before, goals win games, Luton look more like scoring than us.

They are, Julian, but are annoyingly decently perched over the drop zone and I think that we should not include them in further discussions.

Lovely story that. Bournemouth fans fund paid for all the travel for Luton fans to the game tonight.

You have to love Bill's optimism!

Jim, you keep saying that, but you have to accept the over 60s Nuns team score more than us.

Make a note of that everyone and Master Chen Ming Kan has even said it before: goals win games. Think on that. Goals win games.

What wins games then Ferry?

Sitting there playing for fuckin 0-0 draws and trying to nick a set piece?

Come on Master Yoda, enlighten me with you're answers?

I'll have a stab. Goals win games?

Another one from Luton.

I think the point Jimbo - which, needless to say clearly went over your shiny pate - was not to point out that something else wins games but how blind bleedingly fucking obvious that hackneyed piece of twaddle is.

So, Luton have scored two goals, Jame,s and they could now win the game. Do you know where the back of the net is, James?

Meanwhile, we could do with the Cherries doing something here.

Bollocks... I had a tenner 2-1 Bournemouth

With the greatest respect to Luton, their players, on paper at least, are average. Their coach, however, gets the most out of them and has been improving them steadily.

On the other hand, defensive strengths aside, you simply can't say that Sean Dyche gets the most out of our players and this is what makes me doubt him to a degree.

3-0 now, Barkley rolling back the years.

Oh Ross!

Julian,

Dyche only has one way of playing, you only need to ask Burnley fans of that.

Luton may have an average squad but they've got players that can attack. Barkley walks into our current team all day long, for an example.

And Barkley gets the third... there would not be any conspiracy here.

I don't even think we will beat Bournemouth.

Oh dear. And there are still people on TW who would not have Ross back. Been class for months now. What a goal/finish, that's 50 for him.

Bollocks, Dave, I have Solanke as captain and the goalie in my fantasy team!

I've mentioned Rob Evans a few times Julian and you are spot on, he does get a lot out of players and they play for each other and him. I get little of that in Dyche and us. I hope Evans gets serious consideration if Dyche leaves in the summer, but I would worry that he would not be up to the task.

Mind you, who is?

Jimbo, I think Luton could win this because they have scored three goals.

Don't worry, Bournemouth have the chance to put things right in their next game.

Oh wait…

Un-fucking-believable!

At least I don't have to waste 45 minutes of my life hoping and praying Luton lose ….. how has it come to this?

I don't think anyone could have predicted that Barkley would do so well. There were a few unflattering stories going around that he had made his money and had lost motivation.

Damn good business by Luton. Watch the likes of Villa and Newcastle chase him this summer.

We still have 10 games with 5 winnable. Just need to get our act together.

Luton have scored the same amount of goals in 45 minutes that we have in the last 5 games …. Just depressing.

I can't wait for the away game at Luton and our home games against those at the bottom, really looking forward to the stress and anxiety…

Hope the warm weather training is going to plan!

Come back on

That's better. Lovely goal. Brilliant swerve and finish. Bournemouth could get a result now because they have scored a goal and might score more.

Who you talking to PH?

Yyyyyeesss 2-3

Now 2-3. Home side in recovery mode?

Sorry now 3-3!

Ooh I've happened upon a whinge fest. 🤣

3… fucking 3 yyyyeess!!!

Wow!!!

What happened there?

I went out to get some groceries and its now 3 - 3!!

Luton do have a crap defence.

Bill, go and get me a cabbage, please.

Get in!

I just love it when something goes against us and one of the prophet's of doom and gloom can hardly wait to leap on here to tell us that we are most likely going down. And then a little later they look like a right xxxxxxxx and, needless to say, never have the grace to address their original glee.

Bill could you go out and get me a can of spam and canned not fresh please carrots.

Paul, you read my mind.

I'll take a draw

Down with draws. I want a B'mouth win.

Of course, Brent, but at half-time, I'd given up.

Completely agree, Brent. Draws are well overrated and you don't even need to score a goal to get one. Game's gone mad.

Don't see the point in a draw.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Get in

WoW

Sensational Bournemouth!!

Wow!!!

Get in! Brent was right. Draws are shite. Luton are a proper team but this is going to hit them hard and they play Forest at the weekend but they also get late goals.

Never worried. 😁

Crazy season!

I've just switched on after hearing the score (3-3) and just knew that Barkley wasn't going to track the Bournemouth goalscorer.

Good luck to Barkley, he's playing for a team who have got players who don't mind doing some of his running; this is possibly allowing him to flourish but I personally don't want to see him back at Everton

9 minutes of stoppage time!

But Tony, if Barkley came back, he'd save us and we'd be well up the league by now because, like every player who's ever left, he's ten times better than he was when he played for us.

If Barkley is the answer to Everton's woes then bloody hell!

Big difference is Bournemouth have pace on both wings... we've got McNeil and Harrison

Bournemouth well safe now. It's Palace on down now. We are 4 points ahead of Luton but we must keep Jimbo Bennings's wise and sharply perceptive words in mind:

"We are probably going to be hoping Forest get a bigger points deduction than us, I reckon that's about the only thing that will save our arse this season."

This is all very well but we have to play Bournemouth yet and will need to go 6-0 up to be sure of a win!

Well, that is a nice score.

Luton still 4 points behind, now same number of games.

Well! Nothing to say.

Interesting game, that. Points mean prizes and goals mean...

Luv you, Bournemouth.

What a great result!

Tony, we wouldn't be that high. If they give us the other 6 points back, that's all the points they took; we would only have 31 points… not a lot.

For all Luton's goal scoring ability – 15 in their last 8 games, they've conceded 27 goals in those games too, winning none of these matches in the process.

They simply can't defend. My prediction that they won't get over 32 points stands.

Luton's next 3 away games are Spurs, Arsenal and Man City …

Very tough.

I decided not to watch this game or try and get any mention of the match.

I switched on with 10 minutes to go and saw 3-3 then Bournemouth score again for what became the winner. Nerves are going to play a big part in this relegation battle on the field and most definitely off it. Jesus, I only watched the last 10 plus 9 minutes added on time; it turned out okay but I played every ball along with the players.

Just made myself a large hot toddy to help me sleep — and I don't even like Scotch!!

Someone up there likes us — for some reason.

Bill (152),

But enough points to make us a lot happier than we are!!

Bill @152.

My own view is that the team was beginning to relax and play without pressure for the first time in years, mate. You can't argue with facts, Bill, but I'm sure I could put up a good argument that, without the added pressure, Everton might have even been in the top half of the table now.

It's a pointless argument but, when I read players like McNeil say the players are short of confidence, then I wonder if this would have been the case if we had never been deducted any points in the first place?

Well, I didn't come on here at half-time in the Bournemouth v Luton game because I could just imagine all the euphoria over Luton. Granted, I didn't expect Bournemouth to get anything out of it, but let's be honest here, if they can't defend a 3-goal lead at Bournemouth, whose home record was as bad, if not as bad as ours, then Luton certainly deserve to be relegated.

They may well show a lot of effort, but they are shite, utterly shite! Spurs, Arsenal and Man City being their next three away games, with Bournemouth at home sandwiched in between.

They looked absolutely dead on their legs at the end, and if Forest beat them on Saturday, then I think that's Luton gone. It will take something monumental to get a team fit enough to play Forest on Saturday, and I see only a draw in that game.

A sense of relief, no doubt, but personally I feel sickened that season after season we are scraping around the bottom of the Premier League, hoping and praying that the teams around us lose so we can survive to flounder once more.

This is not the Everton that I knew and loved.

Tony @160,

I have no doubt in my mind that you are more than capable of putting up a good argument, the only thing that bothers me is we will be talking about Everton.

Never mind… I will be back in about a month's time and watch how they play at Goodison, as you get a better perspective on a live game than watching on TV.

I know what you mean, Bill, because everyone is talking about Everton, or rather finding us a very easy club to pick on, right now.

I hope you get to see Goodison Park at its finest, Bill, and that's why part of me wants to be relegated, because I'd sooner win the Championship in our last season at Goodison, rather than struggle through another very boring season in the Premier League!!

I feel like you Colin and that's why I'm already crapping myself when the teams who come up next season will be infinitely better prepared to survive than sorry Luton, Burnley, and Sheff-Utd who are going straight back down.

CG: "hoping and praying that the teams around us lose so we can survive"

I'm doing it already for 2024-25 Colin, hoping that Leicester get whacked with a big points deduction.

Best team going down last season – Leicester with 34 points. Best team coming up – Burnley, so far 8 points worse

2nd Best team going down last season – Leeds with 31 points. 2nd Best team coming up – Sheff Utd, so far 5 points worse

Worst team going down last year – Southampton with 25 points. Worst team coming up – Luton, so far 3 points worse.

Probably a bit light – but at the moment the most they are on for is 26 points based on the remaining games (and Leicester, Leeds and Southampton results last season).

On that basis, we are almost safe now. Tell that to the lads in Portugal; now relax and just score some goals.

I'll correct you, Colin.

The Everton we know and love. Present tense, not past tense.

On to Bournemouth. Just don't repeat last season's fiasco x 2. They will concede. We can defend.

Massive result tonight leaves us 4 points clear of the drop – with everyone having played 28 games.

Our form is not good either but Luton are on a run of 1 point in the last 5 games now.

Brentford are only 1 point ahead of us and they only have 1 point from the last 5 games too.

Everyone below 13th is in horrible form.

Danny,

Colin is entitled to his opinion mate and he doesn't need to be corrected. It is also one that, I suspect, is shared by many more good Evertonians given the last few years of dour attrition wearing them down week after week.

Everton is a shit show on and off the pitch right now and, with respect, Danny, Evertonians are perfectly entitled to Colin's view. It's understandable. You need to accept that, Danny. It is their right.

I'm not one of them. I always believe that we will not lose. But I'm already worrying about next season.

Constantly saying "We are Everton" etc is not enough. In fact, it's a veneer in these times coating the very real nuts and bolts issues that threaten our club today. Anyone who is not worried is living in cloud-cuckoo-land mate, and that's the very worst place to be and does not help us one bit at all.

Hopefully, we can put the shit-show to the side each match whether there or not, and, like you and Rob (etc) give the lads all that you can.

Fair point, Paul.

I wasn't criticising Colin's view. I rarely criticise anyone's and respect them whether I agree or not.

As you say, we are all entitled to our opinions. I just made a comment about never stop loving the blues, no matter what and I know I'm a fool. Colin will understand or challenge that, which I'm comfortable with.

A long time until Bournemouth. Then some big matches coming up. All being well, safe before the last game.

Thanks for the reply, Danny. It's a really good one.

What the feck are you going to do with yourself until 30 March!

Danny,

I understand Colin's view. Even as an outsider, I fell in love with Everton over 60 years ago. I have supported this club and loved it through good and tough times.

Currently, like many others, I find it extremely difficult to even like this club. I feel robbed. I feel as though this club has forgotten its supporters and lost its soul. I haven't been to an Everton match home or away since before Covid and I doubt I will travel over again.

I understand people's apathy towards this club but I cling to the hope that Everton will have a road to Damascus moment real soon.

I admire and acknowledge the passion you and others have for this club even in these difficult times. I regularly read your comments along with Paul Ferry's. Colin's and Paul Hewitt's along with the Abrahams' and Rob Halligan's.

Christine Foster's accurate comments and passion for this club puts me to shame but Everton (club and team) makes it increasingly frustrating to engage. I hope for better times but the options of new owners like 777 Partners fills me with dread.

Come next matchday, though, I will have every part of this old body crossed to get a win.

Sorry about the long-winded moan but, in the words of our former leader, I've had some good times.

I have the dogs, Paul. Two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They'll keep me occupied and listen to my ramblings in the early mornings!!

All the best Paul.

Originals

Much as I admire Danny's relentless optimism I find it perplexing that any credibility can be afforded to anyone describing themselves as always believing we will not lose whilst on the same thread repeatedly saying they're already crapping themselves regarding next season.

Hell, they might even next be saying that Paul Kossoff (and others) is also entitled to post his opinion on here without personal attack.

What a weird world we live in!

Moving on, the "Barkley love-in" espoused by some on here seems to me to defy analysis. In recent days, Barkley has contended himself as a defensive midfielder, utterly failing to recognise himself as next to useless in that role.

Watching him, as Tony Abraham did this evening and saw what I saw, again (namely going missing when Bournemouth players left behind strolling Barkley as they streaked in to score goals).

He's way not good enough and when it comes to England he'll be contending with the likes of Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Gallagher and Henderson at least. And when it comes to the role of the attacking midfielder which he says he no longer prefers but has had a modicum of success for a few weeks, he just has Foden, Grealish, Bellingham, Bowen, Palmer, Rashford and Saka to contend with.

The notion we that now 'need' him spells out to me how very very damaged our club has become over the past 30 years.

Never shame Sean,

I might be an idiot, but you are as big an Evertonian as any of us. Keep engaging. We are a family.

Talking of family, I have a family funeral in the homeland next week. My Evertonian uncle, god bless uncle Patrick.

Two Evertonian sons and one Kopite. Plus a mix of cousins from both sides of the blue-red divide.

As always, should be interesting.

Take care, Sean.

Don, you know I'm a fool!

I didn't see the match tonight, but on Ross, having watched him briefly at Villa, he got off to a good start but then faded and hardly featured.

I wouldn't like to see him back at Everton.

God bless your uncle, Danny. I suppose two out of three ain't bad as the song goes.

I'm here with four Man Utd sons. I'm still looking for the father… :)

"Goals don't win games. Luton scored 3 and still left with nothing!"

That's what Dyche is telling the team after watching this game.

Ah, condolences, Danny. May your blue uncle RIP (and not near any of that fecking shower).

Sean, my mum and dad, and all my sisters actually, were and are dyed in the wool reds. Mum reckoned I was dropped on my head when I was born. As the eldest, I tell her I was just the most intelligent! But that old saying, Once Everton touch you... well, I must be a bit touched like you, lol!

We may all have differing opinions of who, how and what we should do, but it's the love of all things blue that makes you, indeed all of us, something special. :-)

Christine, I think we are all a bit touched. My wife (since deceased) always wondered why I put Fats Domino on after the weekend, singing Blue Monday.

Incidentally, she was not far from your neck of the woods. The Four squares, Queen Anne Place, went to the Friary.

Soren,

Goals do win games; it is the defence that keeps them.

“Well! Nothing to say.”

Who are you and what have you done with our Danny???

Sorry Danny, couldn't resist…

Just watched the highlights (I know I know) of that game and what wouldn't we give for some electric attacks like those?

Forget Barkley – we need the likes of Semenyo in our team.

Mark,

That's what we're missing since Richarlison and Gordon left (and Iwobi and Gray) — people who can carry the ball up the pitch and break at pace. That's why we're finding it so hard to score goals.

Last nights result must surely mean relegation for Luton? They were 3 up and didn't even get a point, this would have had a devastating effect on their confidence.

It's hard to come back from something so damaging, maybe a Forest points deduction will save them but we'll have to wait and see.

We need to improve because surely there can't be 3 teams as bad next season, can there?

We just need wins. We have four winnable games left. Win them all (which of course we won't) and, after the points deduction, we'll be sat on 31 points. There's a slim chance that could be enough to stay up this season. There's no margin for error though.

We'll need a suprise win, a la Brighton away last season, as well as a draw away to Luton in my opinion. Let's hope the team come back refreshed and ready. It'll be a lot easier to stay up from this point than to claw our way back up next season.

Thanks, Christine and Danny, for your kind words.

Watching and reading about Ross Barkley's performances for Luton this season, am I the only Blue wondering why he's at the Hatters not Blues?

Despite being, in my opinion, the best young player to emerge since Rooney, his career was almost ruined by Koeman who blamed him for everything that went wrong.

I'd like to think if he is available at the end of this season and we survive, he'd be on our shopping list.

He's undoubtedly got the talent, Tom.

Dare I draw parallels, but like Onana, he has lacked the consistency. I think he's best where he is now as a star.

Everton, Chelsea, Villa. He hasn't stepped up to the mantle on the big stage.