Lukee

Here we go with the 'I miss Tadic' comments. Hugely inconsistent player, and didn't contribute with chances in our draw and loss with Burnley last season, so what made you think he'd have 'torn Burnley a new back end'. Ridiculous. Redmond offers a threat and direct running. Tadic offered creativity. JWP offers delivery of a cross and dead balls. These are all different attributes and cannot really be compared because their best features were so different, but I'm not gonna sit here and act like Tadic was this god of a player who would immediately walk through any organised team with a solid defensive block like Burnely because in the last few seasons, he hasn't.

That Ghezzal has done nothing. Not particularly tricky, not quick, just a bit tall.

Reckon we'll do a lot better than what people are predicting. The squad is not lacking quality it's lacking form. Austin and Gabbiadini are quality players that are lacking goals and form (though have both had decent preseasons, especially Gabbi). Elyounoussi and Armstrong are both quality signings. Hojbjerg, Lemina and Romeu all capable of creating a solid midfield. Cedric and Bertrand are experienced quality. Yoshida has grown to be a quality centre back, Vestegaard has the potential to be as well. If we're lacking good players anywhere it's at centre back not up front. We need a run of games and people will see that when players are in form, the team plays better. Shocker that. People slated Pelle, Mane and Tadic when they were rubbish too, but now reckon they're quality that the board has 'asset-stripped' from us, but the current squad has no quality? Not true. Top 10.

So this implies that you don't care about the transfers, just the results, meaning that we should wait until after the transfer window to discuss how it went? Even so, Celtic are a massive team playing in a tiny league, 8 losses in that many games is not unexpected considering they're around 5 times better than any other team that league.

Don't think he's a poor defender at all, but he has absolutely no aerial presence. Shame is, neither does our goalie. Most teams seem to go for crosses into the box. Even if we win the first header, our second ball retention is awful. So many goals have come from either headers or second balls. Romeu/Lemina/Hojbjerg need to do better in this area (second balls), but not a lot you can do about 2 short and not very strong CBs in Stephens/Yoshida. Not seen much of a physical presence from Hoedt either. Yoshida is a good tackler, is quite quick and reads the game relatively well. Not bad, but not amazing either.

Absolutely struggle with this statement. We've only regressed in league position last year. Watson has been at the club for around 3 years (during our best seasons in the Premier league) and Forster was formidable during that time. Do you not remember when we went from Stekelenburg to Forster and had that amazing defensive run? He used to inspire confidence. Unfortunately you can't always coach confidence and Forster seems to let mistakes massively affect his game. Furthermore, Black has been here for 1 year and 1 season, where does that imply a 'root' problem? Finally Jaidi has been great with the U23s and has overseen many first team patches like Stephens, Hesketh and Sims, and also coached players well enough to go to Championship/League 1 clubs and do really well. Not every single youth player is going to make it into the first team but I don't see how it would fall on him to produce that. U23 football isn't even about winning either; it's about producing players and that's what he's trying to do. Difficult to give them time with no cup runs though (so far, yet to see FA Cup). Noticed as well he puts in a lot of u18 players when he feels they're ready. Good coach and a good servant to our club. The problem, while there is definitely a problem, isn't necessarily from coaching and nor is it a 'root' problem. From Romeu's comments you can see the manager worries about the defense, which is understandable because we haven't had a 'settled' defense in a while, but also incredibly frustrating.

Tell you what we have some fickle fans. The same ones that complain about lack of creativity or lack of risk complain about when Boufal loses the ball. That being said, I believe this is the players not putting in as much of a shift as they should. Forster is to blame for that goal, simple as that, as he has been to blame for many other of our goals. Simply does not move his feet quick enough. Gabbiadini does his best, Tadic has done next to nothing in the time he's played etc etc The root of the problem is so many players no longer have passion for the club or a belief we can do something. The ones that do play well and are positive and try to make all attacks worthwhile- Davis, JWP (as much as he's limited physically), Romeu all have great passion and try and move the ball on to create attacks. The problem is the final third as it has been all this and last season. People are looking back with rose tinted glasses though. We never had a good unit of attacking players. We had Mane who on his day is one of the best in the prem, a semi- decent striker in Pelle who was keen for a goal drought and Tadic who for some reason played a bit better than he did now. Last season was awful, stop trying to get Claude Puel back after you called for his sacking. Absolutely ridiculous.

Really like that Pellegrino has said this and made himself accountable. He has addressed the issue and explained what he sees is best for the team- something I have a lot of faith that he knows a lot better than we do as fans. As a team we need to start finding goals from other places in the team, and it seems like we are this season. Lots of chances are falling to midfielders and defenders and they'll stick them in soon enough. I know a lot are worried about the front 3, but all that is needed is a Gabbiadini-esque run of form and it'll all be peachy again- preferably from Tadic. Anyway, hearing this from the manager is brilliant and shows his resolve. We're 5 games into the season and look markedly improved from last term.

Very difficult to argue that a manager can completely change the style of football when the attacking personnel is exactly the same as last season. You also have to admit the pressing has been much higher than it was, and the midfield certainly feels stronger. The difference between a Lemina-Romeu midfield and a Davis-Romeu midfield is evident. 1 up top is the way to go. Absolutely no evidence that 2 up top would work in our team, especially after the game at Wolves. There is definite change from last season and we need to get rid of this ridiculous Puel hangover.

I actually think Redmond has quite a sharp shot on him- once he gains some confidence he'll bang them in. Was our top scorer last season, can see him getting another 10 or so. Hopefully the main source of goals will be Gabbiadini, then hope our midfield can contribute some// Maya can finally finish a header from 3 yards out. Lots more games this season. Understandable that people are bringing up stats from last season and getting frustrated but the simple fact is we have a new manager now, Puel is gone, and it will take some time for his ideas to bed into the squad. You are absolutely lying if you say you can't see a difference between this season and last season's football. Admittedly, we could do with another attacking player to add 'creativity' but in reality it's up to our players to finish chances that they get. If we were more clinical, we'd seriously be a force. I think we have the personnel to do well now, just need to start getting the goals and hopefully confidence will flow into players like Tadic and Redmond. I would also like to see some mix up of Tadic and Boufal, however, we've played 4 games this season, Tadic started 3 and Boufal 1, so Boufal is still in the manager's plans. Very possible he'll start some other games in the season. Finally, as with last year, I highly doubt that this forum has found the hidden secret in that we are failing to score. Internally I'm sure there is extra effort into finishing and chance creation (though arguably, we don't need many more chances).

We'll put it this way, I genuinely reckon under Puel we would've lost that one. Painful thing is we were so so close to going ahead twice. Would've been a different game imo. We wouldn't have had the two clear cut chances last season, just a few half chances. Annoying we cant put them away but we're not far off

Hopefully Boufal will start this one and hope we can score early. Some of the chances we get are good just need to put them away. Forster Cedric Yoshida/Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Lemina Boufal Davis Redmond Gabbiadini Don't understand the hate for Redmond if I'm honest. Direct runner and has a good shot on him. Will definitely come good and I think we will struggle to keep him in future

The chances that we got were much better than last season. Honestly cannot comprehend comparisons between this season and last. Unbeaten in the league so far, creating high quality chances that should have been put away (Redmond, Bertrand). There is still a hangover from last season in the fans, but we need to get behind this team. Much improved.

Tella turned 18 a month ago, plenty of time to bed in the u23s, hopefully he'll have a good season then appear close to the first team. Gallagher, imo, will be at the top of the u23 list and will hopefully get first team chances. Whatever happens, Gabbi should be the first choice.

Got to be the first Gabby brace of the season hasn't it? Still, judging by our opening days, I'm seeing a draw. Hopefully will be a good game with decent group pressing. Expect a strong first team as well- hopefully with a new signing on the bench. Really excited for this season!