qwertyell

Switzerland u21s played France u21s in November. Jankewitz might well have felt a bit miffed to have played in that game - while Diallo didn't get off the bench - only to return to Saints and watch Diallo shine in the first team while he kicked his heels in the B team. Not saying both players are at the same level (Diallo's two years older; France u21s are a stronger team), but you could understand Jankewitz thinking he wasn't a million miles behind - only to find out the manager has Smallbone, Watts and Chauke ahead of him too. Throw in some rumours that Real Betis are interested, and it's not a huge surprise that he's considering his future. I doubt when we allegedly persuaded him to turn down Man United, Spurs and Juventus to join us, the deal breaker was the promise of drifting for three years in the B team before a loan to a league one side until his contract runs out. It seems like he's got a bit about him and isn't prepared to let his development stagnate any further at a club that talks up its reputation for bringing on youth players; but in practice is something that has sadly become a bit of a myth in recent years.

Harsh to pin the result on the full backs - when inexperienced players come into the team, you need the senior guys to step up and lead the way but aside from Armstrong, pretty much everyone else went missing. So many mistakes in possession - in defence and attack - and sloppy touches. We were way off the required standard. I'm reminded of the poor run we were on when lockdown started. We looked a team that had run its race, but a couple of months break allowed us to refresh and finish the season strong. It doesn't seem like we're going to get the same break this year, which makes the second half of our season look like it's going to be a real struggle, physically. We've been all but out on our feet after 45 minutes for weeks. I'm not optimistic that we'll do more than just limp to the finish. 1 win in 7. Stopped scoring. Squad depth exposed. Absolutely skint. Ings off. Happy new year.

McCarthy... He can't score from there unless the keeper has a total cabbage moment. So many mistakes today. This could be ugly.

Terrible start defensively. Bednarek almost gave them a goal; Stephens went one better. Dozy passing throughout the team.

Yeah, they're a total basket case of a club, but they win big. In the Abramovic era, no English club has won more silverware. 12 managers, 16 trophies including the Champions League. Turmoil and infighting seems to bring out the best in them.

Arsenal are in miles better form than us. 0-2.

Saka usually plays off the right wing. It'll be Aubamayang (if available) or Martinelli up against Valery, in all likelihood. Not exactly ideal to be facing a "big six" club with only one of our first choice back four available, but what can you do? Keep your expectations low, I guess. The trouble with losing KWP, aside from the obvious, is he's been one of our most creative players going forward (which isn't saying much). For a team that lacks quality in the final third, he'll be a big loss. That being said, he's a booking away from suspension (I think the cut off point is after the Arsenal game), so if he were to return against Villa on the weekend, we can probably consider that breaking even. Hey ho. Free hit. Have some fun with it.

And we only went for him after missing out on Ibrahim Sangaré. Lucky break: younger, higher ceiling, fits the team like a glove.

Think the manager said Sims isn't part of their first team training "bubble" as yet. Don't see him playing any time soon, if ever (for us).

Good win - take that. Can't remember the last time we played well in the second half, though. We're absolutely spent after 45 minutes. If I were setting up an opposition side, I'd sit in and keep it tight in the first half - maybe hit on the break - in the knowledge that we'll dominate the second half. It's a problem, moving forward. Unless there's a covid lockdown to help us get a breather for a month or so, it's hard to see how the second half of the season won't be a real struggle for us physically. Anyway, well played today. Solid defensive performance again. Maybe we should play Forster all the time - he seems to improve everyone's defensive focus because they know they have to keep him protected. His kicking, though... yikes. Why would a right footed goalkeeper keep taking the ball onto his left foot (and then shank it repeatedly)? Hopefully no new injuries. Just exhaustion.

It's a bluff. Their "principled" stand won't hold up very long once they try to market the World Cup sans the world's top 150 players. It'll be about as popular as football at the olympics.

Because the club they've been touting him to (probably Spurs) have told them how much they'd be willing to pay to make it happen.

Pretty shocking quality all round. If this is the future, now we're penniless and selling off our best players, it's not a rosy picture. Shane Long can't even get into the game against a league one side. How on earth did he get a new contract? Couple of decent touches from Watts, but our lack of genuine wide players isn't helping the cause.

This is all your fault.

Not arsed who makes our kit. Given our dire financial situation, the only information worth a damn is whether they're paying us more than UA or not.

He's injured too.

Stephens... FFS. Giving the ball away is one thing, but he then made a half assed attempt to foul as if he couldn't be bothered. Wouldn't have saved the game, but it'd have saved our GD another hit. Worrying how much we wilted in the second half after 10 days rest. Poor, after such a promising opened 45.

We've been dogshit this half. So many errors. Don't look like creating owt.

Think we've played half decent, in the main. One piece of poor defensive play has pissed on our chips. Doubt we'll get anything out of this now - Leicester have us where they want us and can (and will) hit us on the break. More likely a 2-0 result than 1-1. Smallbone's been all right. Seems to have toughened up a bit; not quite as lightweight as he has been. Hey ho.

And then pay Liverpool a 25% sell on fee...

Have they settled on an end date yet?

What happened to our interest in Joey Veerman? 5 goals and 7 assists from midfield so far this season.

Also available as a free agent: 26 year old North Macedonian number 10 Saso Dukov. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saso-dukov/profil/spieler/224169 Surely the perfect partner for Wellington? (Jean Butez of Antwerp would be a good fit too, but he's a keeper.)

Contract is up at the end of the season. I'd imagine he won't be renewed. Hasn't kicked on.

29 year old uncapped Brazilian on a free? Good luck with that.