S-Clarke

Probably was an option when we were looking to swap Charly, but we opted for Rothwell. Can't say that Azaz has ripped up any tree's what so ever at Boro, so I won't be crying over that one. Saved some $$.

Not sure what the point of threads like this are tbh.

If i'm honest today was a good result as we played 10 men for most of it. He is so bad it's not even a joke anymore, club should be able to sack him as he cannot do his job. I can't be arsed with him anymore. I'd play Stephens up front in front of this fella.

It was somewhat what I expected, very cagy, neither team really pushing too hard. Second leg will be totally different. WBA lost a lot of players through injury during that game, doubt they'll recover for Friday - so they will probably be depleted. It's very similar to the Norwich v Leeds game - both Norwich and WBA will be kicking themselves, In my opinion both sides missed their chance here - and it's now on ourselves and Leeds to take the control in the 2nd leg, which we should do in my opinion. I don't expect anything less as WBA are pretty shit and very limited. Defensively we were ok today, Bednarek the pick of the bunch. Downes decent as usual. McCarthy made saves, I can't remember the last time I saw our GK make saves - so that was a refreshing change. The week is going to drag like crap though, but I think we're in a strong position and I think WBA blew their chance today.

I would argue that both Lavia and Tino were investments that the club envisaged huge return on in the near future, and that they'd play pretty much from day 1 - and they both did. They were both head and shoulders above everyone else which was pretty much expected by the club I'd have thought. I agree that he wasn't bought as the only DM, sadly we brought in AMN who we thought could do that role - but he's not even a footballer, so that was a poor sight by the club. Lavia and Tino were brought as first team players though, with a view to sell on for mega money within 12 months - which happened pretty much.

I don't really see that as Chelsea though, they've been given their opportunity by club x or y as Chelsea weren't interested or patient enough to develop them, so they palm them off elsewhere for someone to do the hard yards. Then they just want the $$$ that they can bring in for them with no real interest in their development. But they're also dumb enough to do the above, sell Lukaku for e.g for big money (and Matic), then re-sign them for double that a few years later as they think they're the ready made player now. It's such a lazy way of developing players and I'm glad it fell flat on it's arse with Lukaku.

I think that's a 'little' harsh, they've taken over clubs on a downturn from the outset and were on the back foot from day 1 at Gotzepe and Valenciennes - so their relegations were somewhat expected, that's probably part of the reason why they acquired them - a troubled club, not as expensive as an established top flight club, but with potential to reshape them over time. We were slightly different though, a middling PL club flirting with the trap door, they thought throwing millions at young kids would move us back up the table - but it killed us dead, they misread the situation with us wildly.

What's the argument? Chelsea have been the graveyard for young talent for many years, maybe it's changing now a bit? but their history is not about youth. They don't give players time, they want the ready made options. Lukaku, De Bruyne were two young players Chelsea poached, Matic was one from their academy - didn't allow them to develop or play games, so they moved to become the players they are today. I can think of others like Van Ginkel, Marko Marin, Iaan Mattsen, Chalobah, Ugochukwu, Casadei, Chukuwembka, Malang Sarr, Broja - those are all young players that have either come through, or they've signed in recent years that cannot get a look in. Sure, they become pro players at other clubs because they're good players - but it's hard not to say that they've wasted years of their careers rotting at Chelsea to get to that point. Now those are young players they've spent big money on in the main, even as academy players - so if they struggle to get a look in I struggle to see any football for JMM or this Rodriquez guy in many years, he'll be out on loan more before he gets a look in.

Sky Sports broadcast every single playoff game from all leagues, even the non-league. There will be streams for them if people can't make it.

I'll tell you what, let's be extra generous and give them Mara as well. Just package them up as a phenomenal young talent bundle delivered in a box with a ribbon on, and then we can take Downes and JWP - no receipts or returns though.

Yep, noticed the same - I liked that podcast too, but I don't like it with Deeney involved. That's what I meant how he's being trotted out more and more. He was an enormous fail as a manager, so he's going all in on his punditry now. Too many of these former players being made pundits when they have zero to add.

It's a shame really, not sure what the point of an academy is anymore for clubs like us. We used to get maybe 6 months or a year out of a top, top academy talent - but it's getting to the stage now where they're nicked before we even see them play and that's really sad. We shouldn't be forced to break the bank to keep a 15 year old, it's just nonsense. (That guy who went to Chelsea was another one)

I think he had an ankle injury and then on his comeback from that, tore his hamstring? (or the other way round). I think he's had two bad injuries back to back which has prolonged his recovery. Hopefully he's not injury prone, but his build is so slight that it looks like he could be snapped in half by a burly Champ CM!

Larios is back in full training as far as I know, I notice him on the training galleries from time to time. Martin said they won't rush him back this season, but he'll come back in pre-season and be able to start on a level footing with the rest of the squad. Not sure we'll see Ballard this side of the summer, probably one for the autumn? it was a pretty bad ACL.

I've noticed Sky have been trotting out Troy Deeney more and more in a punditry role, he's awful. Made the stupid prediction for the final championship games that he fancied Hull to sneak into the playoffs, at the expense of Norwich, totally forgetting the required 18 goal swing for that to happen. The presenter pointed it out and he still stood firm on his view that it was 'possible'. They were also comparing our achievement in 2012 (back to back promotions) with Ipswich, and according to Deeney we had Chamberlain and Wanyama in the side - so it was easier for us. Just let these guys sink into the background please, they have nothing to offer.