Caveats remain: Bratislava and Anderlecht are yet to qualify.

“Faithful” is more inclusive than [Palace] “boys”.

Celta Vigo is the only team that really fits in the opening line of the 2nd verse (at least from those who have currently qualified) and is difficult to rhyme with.

Difficult for Guehi to realise in the moment (Mbeumo didn’t know either, because he would have touched the ball first but for Guehi’s intervention). The decision (VAR encroachment) was right in law but a really harsh outcome for us.

Looked like a slightly awkward clearance from Lacroix otherwise and made the space for Eze to play the through ball. Sarr’s been impressive and seems to be getting better/growing in confidence.

It’s also why we’re so effective away from home. The foundation is a stable back 3 but we don’t play through the 2 CM’s every time (we do that to slow the game down/control it when we go ahead instead).

One of the best things about OG is he’s not afraid to go direct. Suck them in with neat football -> go long/ball over the top -> win the flick on (optional) -> stretch them with our pace.

Hughes has held that midfield together and has been transformative under OG. Probably our 4th choice central midfielder before Oli’s arrival and it’s difficult to drop him now. Wonderful to see and clearly a personality in the dressing room too.

Shout out to Kamada who’s looked more assured in the last 3 games. Has gone from: looking out of depth centrally -> Eze’s understudy (wide/front 3) -> being impactful playing both. Long may it continue.

An attacking LWB (Diouf) makes us a different proposition altogether. May mean that Munoz can’t bomb on as much but we’ll be less one dimensional.