When do you know that your team is good?

I say it's when your 'second team,' your backups, are good enough to start on most of the teams in the Premier League. Outside our strikers (Gyökeres, Havertz, Jesus)(Merino?) most of our players would fit into 'just about' any team in the league.

That said, as is said about most team sports, you have to beat the team in front of you with the players you have available. In this game, we had a set of changes to the starting lineup that included new partnerships all over the pitch.

I think that we may have played the most fluid game of the season, and we're in agreement on that as we say in this episode.

Aston Villa started out slowly but picked up speed quickly and have maintained that most of the season. They're currently in 3rd and just 6 points behind us.

We've faced a series of challengers that were placed well in the table when we played them: Chelsea (3rd), Bayern (1st UCL), Sunderland (4th).

It'll be interesting to see how this game plays out. Villa are 12-2-2 since the September International Break and have won the most home games in the calendar year in the top 4 leagues in England.

Check out out Substack to read Matt's Top Ten List for the 2-0 win over Brentford.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.