I don’t feel their pain at all. They checked in to the good ship petrosmeg, have unlimited dollars to spend on players and couldn’t hold a 2 goal lead with minutes remaining. Lol

And I think RM may have a better chance of turning over Liverpool which would be a double bonus.

I don't feel their pain either. Bollocks to them.

I don't feel their pain either. Bollocks to them.

Absolute scenes at Ibrox. Rangers Frankfurt Europa final. Brilliant for Rangers. They’re celebrating as if they’ve won it though, which as we know is a heinous crime…

West Ham knocked out tonight, perhaps their players were knackered after Moyes decided to play most of his first choice against us in the league (and we beat them anyway) - very strange squad management for their biggest game in years.

West Ham's league position is such that they are battling for Europa or Europa conference league they ad such a tiny, tiny chance of still making CL via their league when they played us. Surely they had to go for broke to win the Europa, especially when you consider some of the very big names that have been in the latter stages of Europa recently, with all due respect to the final 4 this year, it was quite weak in comparison to the previous 4-5 years

Cresswell was sent off after 20 minutes when the tie was very much in the balance. That changed it completely. Moyes has done an absolutely brilliant job since he came back to West Ham.

Cresswell was sent off after 20 minutes when the tie was very much in the balance. That changed it completely. Moyes has done an absolutely brilliant job since he came back to West Ham.

One can understand why Moyes when in full strength against Arsenal. It's a home game, Arsenal have been a bit wobbly, and he doesn't want to fall too far behind United in the race for 6th (sadly what transpired). He doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket, especially when needing to go and win away in Germany.

A really tough call.

Cresswell was sent off after 20 minutes when the tie was very much in the balance. That changed it completely. Moyes has done an absolutely brilliant job since he came back to West Ham.

Arteta has signed a new contract until 2025

Too early IMO. As I said lets see there we are at the end of the season. Too late now. They probably rewarded him for his man-management skills.

But Klopp got a long period to prove himself. I think a CL after 4 years and EPL title after 5 years. As long as he matches this no problems.

So if he finishes 4th he gets to stay, 5th he has to leave. Seems a Bit brittle to me

Did anyone genuinely believe we would be in the top 4 with 4 games to go at the start of the season?

Anyone ? Nope me neither.

Too early IMO. As I said lets see there we are at the end of the season. Too late now. They probably rewarded him for his man-management skills.

But Klopp got a long period to prove himself. I think a CL after 4 years and EPL title after 5 years. As long as he matches this no problems.

Yes I felt we had a decent chance of doing so when at or near the beginning of the season I listed our squad name by name. If we fail to I feel it will be down to a disappointing January transfer window.

Yes I felt we had a decent chance of doing so when at or near the beginning of the season I listed our squad name by name. If we fail to I feel it will be down to a disappointing January transfer window.

Really. Well you were on your own because barely a single pundit thought we would get near it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58141017

Agree about January. A couple of acquisitions could have made the difference

I'd agree with the second part, but if we put our squad name by name against the Man U squad at the start of the season without knowing what we know now I don't think many would have backed Arsenal. Man U signed Varane, Sancho and Ronaldo they were meant to be title challengers.

The Mirror today gave its prediction for each club’s final position at the end of the Premier League season. It was:

1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Manchester United
5. Leicester City
6. Tottenham Hotspur
7. Arsenal
8. Everton
9. Aston Villa
10. Leeds United
11. West Ham United
12. Newcastle United
13. Wolverhampton Wanderers
14. Brighton and Hove Albion
15. Southampton
16. Burnley
17. Norwich City
18. Crystal Palace
19. Brentford
20. Watford

Overall I suppose it’s a decent decent bit of guesswork although myself, I expect Chelsea to come second rather than Liverpool.

I see Norwich without Buendia as more likely to go down than Crystal Palace, so I’d certainly swap them around. I also think Leicester will struggle to come fifth. If Tottenham keep Kane I expect them to finish above Leicester. If they lose Kane, call me hopelessly over-optimistic but on the assumption there will be some new arrivals at Arsenal (hopefully including Ødegaard), I wouldn’t completely write off our chances of finishing above Leicester and Tottenham to come fifth.

All that means is I’m more knowledgeable than many pundits.

Btw I think for once that’s actually solid stewardship by the kroenkes.

Or you just changed your mind mid season when things looked up

Although, if we do get fourth*, you have to say that the gamble, albeit slightly reckless, paid off brilliantly. We'll be very well positioned for the window.

*Touch wood

We only become knowledgeable by learning from our mistakes and allowing our minds to change in the face of evidence.

August 12 feels like a long time ago, Bernard. I don't remember you suggesting we should/could/might finish fourth, but no doubt the posts are out there...

Or you just changed your mind mid season when things looked up

No it was around the start of the season. Not that far into it anyway. I listed the squad and said words to the effect it should be capable of fighting for fourth place.

My guess is because I felt people were being too negative about our players.

They are. I listed our squad quite near the beginning of the season. I’m surprised you don’t remember me doing it.