Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sam from Bournemouth: Good Morning Phil, FA Cup Replays Is the Magic here Fading Amidst Continental and intercontinental football Clashes for our “top” teams?

With top Premier League teams juggling intercontinental competitions, FA Cup replays seem to have lost their charm but more generally I think this has been happening to our domestic cups for a while.

The suggestion in the modern era that the cups mean as much as the league seems ludicrous! In Germany, a smaller league arguably strikes a better balance. Is it time for English football to consider a leaner top division with just 18 teams to reignite cup interest and possibly even replays?

Morning, Sam. I don’t think the FA Cup has lost its magic, but it has certainly lost something with the removal of replays. My view is that this was a decision that pandered to the so-called “bigger” clubs following their complaints about fixture congestion, and it is a real shame.

I’d love replays to be re-instated – but do not think we will be getting a leaner Premier League.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan in Essex: Hi Phil, thoughts on David Moyes return to Everton? You, like me, thought Sean Dyche would see out the season, but it’s a relief he has gone if I’m honest. I’m glad Moyes is back but if I’m honest he wouldn’t have been my choice. It’s a safe choice not a long term choice.

It is an interesting choice because I think it is very much a choice for now, in the hope it will work long-term, so I agree with you to an extent.

I think problem for The Friedkin Group was that the ideal scenario would have been for Dyche to stay to the end of the season and keep Everton safe, allowing him to come to the end of his contract, thus enabling them to take their time over appointing his successor.

The way results went, and the fact it appears Dyche himself felt he could not get any more out of Everton’s squad, forced their hand.

Moyes was experienced, available and willing to return. It suits all parties at this particular time. It is a “safe hands” appointment – or at least that is what TFG will hope.

He has been handed a two-and-a-half year deal but, as with all these things, contracts are all inexorably linked to results.

The Premier League have confirmed a new date for the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The final league match between the two sides hosted by Everton before they move stadiums will take place on Wednesday 12 February at 19:30 GMT.

There are Champions League matches taking place, but with Liverpool expected to finish in the top eight, the match is unlikely to clash with Liverpool's Champions League commitments.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Brian C. Stockport: Phil, I'd like to know where Manchester United have got their past two top performances from. After all Amorim was so disarmingly honest a few weeks back saying "we've got such a long way to go!" Not that long It seems! What has made the difference?

Hi, Brian. I’ve been really impressed with Manchester United in their last two games. The sheer fight and determination has been outstanding, apart from all the other qualities.

I think we need to reserve judgement though, Brian, because even Bruno Fernandes has said it’s ok doing it against Liverpool and Arsenal, but you have to do it every game.

Ruben Amorim said the club needed a “shock” and may his brutal honesty delivered it.

It is clear the players are playing for him and maybe they are now becoming more accustomed to his three-man central defensive strategy.

Let’s not kid ourselves, though. Amorim still has a massive rebuilding job on his hands and two good results and performances do not change that.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was relaxed while facing the press at the City Ground this afternoon.

There was naturally more interest ahead of Tuesday's home game with Liverpool and the Portuguese, known for not being a lover of long press conference, almost seemed to be enjoying himself.

He knew he would be asked about the title race, especially after Arne Slot said Forest were one of Liverpool's rivals, but shut down any talk with a smile. He even apologised for not answering the questions.

Nuno has softened this season, after the pressure of surviving relegation last year and the weight he carried. That approach may still not generate the big headlines but that will suit Nuno and Forest.

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo on Nottingham Forest's tally of 40 points from 20 games being the same as Leicester City when they won the Premier League title: "I see a group of players really committed to doing things well. What can happen in the future? I don't know. The proof is that we did it before - we started the competition well.

"I think we are improving through the competition. I truly believe that the players, the more time that they spend together, the better they can play together then the more they grow in the knowledge of each other will increase and improve.

"I see a good group of people, more than players. A group of people that want to do things together. This is important - the bond, the togetherness, this is what I really value."

Nottingham Forest

A final word from Nuno Espirito Santo about whether league leaders Liverpool underestimated his Nottingham Forest side: "I cannot answer that. I don’t know. We don’t ever underestimate any opponent and the proof was against Luton. There’s no easy game in football. In my view never, ever underestimate nobody."

Nottingham Forest

More from Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on dealing with ifs - if they are in the title race and if they are looking for new players in the January transfer window: "If you start this thinking about ifs, it’s always if if if if. That's why we try to approach how we are going to prepare ourselves, then at the end of the game there will be no ifs."

On the transfer window: "We ARE in the market - that’s not an IF. But the transfer window in January is very difficult to operate in. One of the things that we are sure on is that we have a good squad. We have good options, we have healthy players, this is not an if, this is a reality.

"We have a good squad and this is what we have to focus on - our players and how we want to continue in the competition because no matter what happens, those that are here are the ones that are going to solve the problems."

Leicester City

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy on team news: "[Jannik Vestergaard] He’s part of team training today. We’re expecting that he can be there if all goes well today and that he will be fine tomorrow. I expect him to be there on Wednesday with the squad. No news on injuries."

Image source, Getty Images

Valenica have completed the signing of right-back Max Aarons from Bournemouth.

Aarons, 25, has signed for the La Liga side on loan for the rest of the season, but Valencia do have the option to make the move a permanent one at the end of the season.

The defender, who had fallen down the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium, is set to be unveiled to the media on Thursday afternoon by his new club.

Leicester City

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy on being linked with signing Parma defender Woyo Coulibaly: "We cannot confirm any news on any new player so far today so let’s see how things develop."

On being encouraged with discussions about signings: "The most important thing is from the conversations in December that we’ve had before I signed were aligned with that. It’s clear what is possible and what’s not. We are aligned and in the process looking to strengthen but it has to be the right one. As I said before it’s a responsibility to get the right players in within the possibility so that’s the main thing."

Leicester City

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy on the FA Cup fourth round draw: "I was hoping for a home game against a team in a league below us maybe, or two. But then the first team that got [drawn] out was United and then we were second and that means that it is going to be the third time its going to be Manchester United and Leicester in three different competitions so, special. Also special to go back there, that’s for sure."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on keeping five consecutive clean sheets: "It’s not about the game, it’s about the season and our strengths and our weaknesses. It's about realising what we can do and what we are capable of doing and what we can do really well. That we have to repeat and then take care of the weakness that we have and things that we have to develop.

"But the basic principle of our approach is always the same. What we want to be is eventually one day we want to sit down and say now we are a solid, compact team that doesn't give too much to our opponents, that is hard to break down and at the same time has quality on the ball and pace in attack.

"All of these things is the ideal. We are still chasing and working on that."

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo said "I don't know, I still have to work on it", when asked about his gameplan for Tuesday's game at home to Liverpool.

When asked specifically whether he would be focussing on how to stop Mohamed Salah, the Nottingham Forest boss added: "Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Konate, Trent...quality all over the place. A fantastic team. They have shown not only in the Premier League but in Europe how good they are. It is about us realising this and facing the game with the true respect it is necessary to play against Liverpool."

Peter, Rugby: Re Terry, Cheshire - the fact remains Arsenal have won nothing for five years. The fact also remains they need a proper striker (and btw, all clubs have injuries).

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo on whether he is pleased in the different way opposition managers, such as Liverpool boss Arne Slot, now view his Nottingham Forest side: "I am very pleased. When we do things good we should be pleased, but too much compliments can distract us so we don't pay too much attention."

On Forest's win at Liverpool earlier in the season: "It was a long time ago. Many things have changed. Both teams are different now. It is a new game and new things will happen."

Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo neatly sidestepped a question on Arne Slot's comments that Nottingham Forest are title challengers: "We have to play the games. We are here to compete against all of the teams and I think we are doing well, but nothing changes in our approach, which stays the same.

"We know what we can do and how we want to do things. We know each other, our strengths and weaknesses. So let's play the game."

On whether Slot was playing mind games: "I don't know but we try as much as possible to ignore what's around. We never change. It is the way we see things, the way we see the competition. I would say it is the way we see life. It's day-by-day, focus on our tasks and tomorrow is another tough one."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo started with a 'no news is good news' declaration on his squad.

The Forest boss rested a number of players for the weekend's FA Cup win over Luton, while only Ibrahim Sangare was nursing an injury going into that game.

"We are assessing players that played all of the game [against Luton] and assessing players that are out," said Nuno. "So we prepare, but not major issues."

West Ham United

Graham Potter on West Ham's supporters: "The most important thing is that the fans get behind the team and I have no doubts about them. As an away manager it has been a tough place to come so we need that connection with the supporters and fans. We are at the early stages of it but we hope that the results and performances are good as that brings them along with us.

"I can't wait for the first home game tomorrow night.

"I think our supporters know where we are with our journey. The result is the most important thing, ultimately.

"We want to play the right way, but points are helpful. If we could have both, that'd be great."

West Ham United

In response to how the players are responding to him in training, Graham Potter said: "The response and approach from the players has been really good. They're enthusiastic to try and to connect with each other. It's been a tough period, and we want to build together as a team.

"They are on board with it."