Barkley to return......

He'll need a couple of games to get back to his best, but great that he's fit again. I think we've missed Pienaar quite badly. His partnership with Baines makes our left side one of the best in the league. Big pity about John Stones - would have loved to see him and Jags building that important partnership at the centre of defence. Distin will do the business though (one of our best signings of the last 5-6 years, though has to improve on most recent form). We have to win today, won't be easy, they won (deservedly) at Anfield- so we are warned. Would expect 10 points from our next 4 games. Villa and Swansea at home (wins) Burnley and Sunderland away (4 points) and a point in Lille.

Well that was better than the bench!