So is today a must win? Just having a discussion and I guess it is.

[Rich]

Worth remembering that we haven't been amazing ourselves. If this was last season we would be 4 points behind Liverpool. 30 points from 13 games isn't brilliant.

We've had our problems and have dropped 4 points in our last 3 games. We now need to start churning out wins. And avoiding injuries.

But we have played the following away from home:

Liverpool
Chelsea
Newcastle
United
Villa (this weekend)

The fact that we are 5 points clear after that lot tells you what a good start we've had. We also should win today. We play Wolves at home in a week too. And Brighton and Villa at home before the year is out means we have plenty to be positive about.

[PSRB]

How about Chelsea, though? Hmm?

Defence isn't good enough. Reece James won't last the season. Even my mate, who is a Chelsea fan says that.

[Peter]

But we have played the following away from home:

Liverpool
Chelsea
Newcastle
United
Villa (this weekend)

The fact that we are 5 points clear after that lot tells you what a good start we've had. We also should win today. We play Wolves at home in a week too. And Brighton and Villa at home before the year is out means we have plenty to be positive about.

It also shows how bad everyone else has been.

Now we are getting players back and have got a lot of tricky games out of the way (after villa), we have to start pulling away and churning out 6 or 7 wins in a row with the odd slip. It's a crucial few months.

We need to pull away before Liverpool and/or City get their act together. And maybe chelsea as well.

Starting tonight. So yes, it really is a must win. And I don't care how.

[Rich]

It also shows how bad everyone else has been.

Now we are getting players back and have got a lot of tricky games out of the way (after villa), we have to start pulling away and churning out 6 or 7 wins in a row with the odd slip. It's a crucial few months.

We need to pull away before Liverpool and/or City get their act together. And maybe chelsea as well.

Starting tonight. So yes, it really is a must win. And I don't care how.

Amen. Would like to see starts for the Captain and perhaps Madueke tonight.

[PSRB]

I admire your optimisim, 7. But a swift review of their results to date does not really favour that view. Admittedley they nearly always score. But they also nearly always lose - hence their leage position.

They really should have got a point against City

[Peter]

Amen. Would like to see starts for the Captain and perhaps Madueke tonight.

The thing that would genuinely take this side forward a notch is the return of the real Odegaard. He was so poor last season it is easy to forget how brilliant he is when he is in decent nick, and how he transforms this team.

There could be no better Christmas present than having him back and dominating games again. We'd be champions, I'm sure of it.

[Peter]

They really should have got a point against City

Deserved at least a point.