Chez

The clubs resolve could well be tested by a low-ball bid. We seem very reluctant to be `fucked over', so may stick our heels in to the bitter end. I wonder if the likes of Palace, Fulham and Brentford might try to get him? From his point of view, playing one more season here isn't going to hurt him. He will be available on a free and that will make him more attractive to more clubs. He can demand a higher wage too, as no fee is involved. Waiting until next year elongates his guaranteed stay in the prem. Move this summer and whoever he joins could go down - and he get a 40% cut in wage. Even if we accept a bid, doesn't mean he will want that move. It's in the summer, if we are still in the Prem, and no other decent offer comes in, when our current offer might look attractive.

could we replicate the `Archer Sheffield signing, disguising a loan by buying the player and then selling them back the following summer for a slightly cheaper amount (the loan fee)?

Interesting that Steve, and obviously he can speak for himself on here if he wishes, felt Steele was great with his feet but not a good shot stopper. In the same league as Baz/McCarthy. Also interesting that Alfie felt Johnstone was as bad as McCarthy with his feet, so not a great fit for us.

A good question. Speculating here, as I don't know, but was McCarthy injured for periods of the second half of last season? He was on the bench for the first half of the season, but then it was Lumley. I think the goal Lumley conceded at Watford put some doubt into RMs mind, although Lumley continued to be on the bench after that game. There was a thought that there might be another contract situation, where if he played x number of games, he got his contract automatically renewed (as was the case the previous season), but not sure that was the case. When push came to shove, RM went for his more experienced man, and he was right to do so, but it doesn't explain why he didn't have him as his number 2 prior to that. Yeah, I can't answer your question. RM just changed his mind. It's his prerogative.

Archer doesn't need a couple of weeks to familiarise. Strikers don't need to understand where to be to beat the press, make the angles and be in the right place defensively. Personally I am unsure about him, but RM must rate him to sign him. OK, so the other players that came on didn't change things this time, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have been on the bench. I have no idea what you are talking about when you say: "It looked like a bench picked to keep SAA, Dibling and Archer in the group" I also have no idea why anyone would think RM would put Onuachu on the bench. RM doesn't rate him at all.

Most on here have raved about Dibling. Archer is our new striker - did you not want him on the bench? and most want to see SAA get an opportunity.

Have to agree. I'd say it's his 3rd pro season. He played 17 times in the Prem first time around. Wasn't ready then and not sure he is now. Might need another season in the Championship.

Loves Edozie's willingness to try and beat a man, but worry whether he is quite good enough, even for us. Still got time on his side, but we are going to need a few goals and assists this season from him or our other wingers this season or we go down.

OK. I thought so too, but people on here have been saying he's more of a left sided attacker, like Rodriguez was for us, rater than a Lambert (positionally).

alternatively, we could have gone to a flat back four and brought a winger on.

we have replaced Adams, who did his best work with his back to goal, with a guy that looks to play on the shoulder, make runs into space and be in the box more. That might help us, but there is bound to be games where we are crying out for some hold up play.

It was an error. I am certainly not arguing against that. What I am arguing with is your assessment that our tactics had nothing to do with it. McCarthy may well have hoofed it at other times, but that underlying team desire does rub off on him and will have impacted his decision-making. He had less time that you think. When he makes the pass an opponent is 5 yards away. If he had controlled the ball rather than pass first time, he'd of been in trouble.

you don't think our general desire to retain possession had any bearing at all?

I'm with you. Lot of comments on here about him needing to play it out to the right, but that would have required a nice touch that also opened his body to make that pass. He easily could have fucked that up touch and would have the Newcastle attacker all over him in the six yard box. He took the `safer' one-touch-back-were it came from type option and fucked it. If we get a new keeper in, that can play liek Baz (and save shots) he'll still make errors. Hopefully less than McCarthy though.

Thought he should have scored the first. It's a chance I expect a good striker to take. Not quite in the realm of the McCarthy error, but you need your strikers to score those if you want to win at this level. As always fans go easy on striker/player we like etc. though. Much easier to just put the defeat on the keeper. The second was a good save.

good point. In the United Fulham game Leno did exactly the same and got away with it. Just watching the highlights of the other games I saw so many errors, not just from keepers but defenders ad midfielders losing the ball. I think as fans we sometimes forget that players from other teams also make mistakes. It's not just ours. It's probably not the best time/thread to defend McCarthy, but all keepers are being asked to play like outfielders these days and they almost all fuck up from time to time. It's so tough. They have to have touch, passing range and accuracy...and decision making. Even proper outfield players make errors in those three department. The keepers are bound to do the same.

We have bought two in this window. Not sure Archer was the right one myself. Hope I am wrong.

I thought he said `Ramsdale is on several teams lists, but Arsenal only want to sell'? Are the likes of Wolves and Ajax in a position to buy him for what Arsenal want?

nothing. He just doesn't rate him. Me neither.

Know nothing about him. Hopefully more Lavia than Charles. There's so much talent at Chelsea, it's almost impossible not to pick a good player...hopefully.

€80m spent so far.

Time will tell if that was a good decision. Lets see if he score goals at this higher level. Hopefully not. We need them to be below us come May.

He can beat a man all ends up and he has electric pace. I'd keep him.

and his fourth (I think this was his first goal of the season actually) at 0:34. Worth noting that the second (own) goal at 0:54 is from his decent shot. ...and that's all folks.

seeing as there are only four goals for Sheff United. May as well show them all. Tap in at 7:01