FourFourTwo

VIEW FROM THE STANDS

- PAUL CHAPPELL @ Wanchopepa­ulo

The big talking point among the

fans is whether or not we will actually spend some money now we’re back in the Premier League.

I won’t be happy unless we tie Slaven Bilic to a new contract. He signed a two- year deal when he joined last summer, which means his current one expires next year. Our most underrated player is

Jake Livermore, our Captain Fantastic who does the dirty work that others don’t want to.

Look out for 19- year- old forward Rayhaan Tulloch. He’s a local lad

and came off the bench three times for us in the FA Cup last season. The player I’d happily drive to

another club is Oliver Burke, who has been a major disappoint­ment since signing from RB Leipzig for £ 15 million in summer 2017. The opposition player I secretly admire is Villa’s John Mcginn. He’s a cracking player and getting him for under £ 3m was scandalous.

The one change I’d make would

be getting our youngsters on longer contracts. Too many have walked away in recent years – like

Nathan Ferguson to Palace this summer. It’s a big talent drain.

Did you know that we hold the record for most promotions to the Premier League ( five). The fans’ opinion of the gaffer

is that getting our team promoted in his first season was nothing short of miraculous. If he keeps us up, Slaven deserves a statue. If he left, he should be replaced

by someone like Florian Kohfeldt of Werder Bremen.

We’ll finish 10th- 13th according to the heart; 16th- 20th says the head.

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