Chez

There doesn't seem to be much direct involvement by Cortese in terms of identifying the man. Although Cortese may have responsible for putting the manager scouting system in place. He will also have been involved in the selection process from that `potentials' list. As with the transfer committee, several people will have had input.

Defends from the front brilliantly and keeps the ball tremendously well though. What we perhaps need is a complimentary player that offers a little more flair and can help unlock defences - what Juanmi was bought to do.

I was thinking the same thing. How much did Sunderland pay for him? Very good player. Keeps it simple, good in the air and always seems to be where the ball is. I like their left back too, not that I think we would have the budget for a player like to compete with Bartrand. But if you want to seriously challenge having strength at fullback is critical.

The skates beat them at their place at the start of the season and although Plymouth won at **** park, it was a real smash and grab affair. They have a good record against the top 6 sides as well.

He is studying law and hopes to be able to "help those that don't have the money to afford a solicitor". I wonder if PFC will ever be a client?

I hear a skate has been stealing money again, but this time it's from PFC ladies. They don't half pick their people in positions of power down there.

We played very well. One of our better performances all season I'd say. Dominated totally. On another day we'd have taken the three points. No complaints at all from me other than wondering why long didn't shoot. We've played a hell of a lot worse and got a result. Those dark early season days feel such a long way away now. Could VVD be any more commanding?

I'd argue strongly against your evaluation that he looked good at the start of the season. I thought he was poor. He was weak and made us vulnerable. I agree that we need to nurture our young players though.

Like Michael Smith, who's loan only runs until the end of April?

IMO he is too slow and not physically strong enough to shine at fullback in the Premiership right at the moment. He's young and hopefully he will sharpen his elbows, bulk out a little and become much more of a force. He's a little too nice too. Obviously he can do a job as cover, which I guess is his role right now, but he's nowhere near pushing Bertrand for the shirt. Mind you if he gets there it will mean he's a decent player. The lack of pace worries me. Zaha made him look a mug earlier in the season, simply cruising past him. For many years we had slow fullbacks and surprise, surprise we conceded plenty of goals. When we started to add some pace in that position in the form of Clyne, Shaw and Bertrand the goals against dried up. Players without pace need to be tough and make great decisions all the time. Fullbacks with pace can get you out of jail as Clyne often did. When it comes to playing at left midfield/wing back, he again can do `a job'. He has a lovely first touch, a very calm head and a decent cross on him. However, at both left back and midfield he is just `steady'. No more, no less. For me a left midfielder needs to do a lot more in games. They need to impose themselves on the opposition, otherwise you allow them to do the same to you. We carry him rather than he carry others. If we want to get better you have to have players that are perceivably too good for you not `not quite good enough'. I've slated him in the past because I've seen a weak player out jumped and out muscled by everyone, but having said that I also see that he has the first touch, which is critical. A great touch is what allows a player to play at the top level. The physical stuff can be added. He needs to be given time, but we must see continued development. Hopefully we will.

yes, very interesting debate. ...like when we took United apart yet they still won the league at a canter? Title winning teams don't always run the rest ragged. They sometimes win well (like Leicester did at Man City), they sometimes do just enough. For a few weeks now Leicester have been hanging on a bit, but earlier they were tearing some teams apart. They are obviously a counter attacking team because they have players of lessor ability than some other teams, which shows how important team work and tactics can be (so long as you have some genuine quality in the side). It also shows how poor the tactics have been from teams facing them. Kante, Drinkwater, Vardey and Mahrez please. Kante has been amazing and I really have been impressed with Drinkwater. Not yesterday but in other games. He is very progressive, always looking forward for a pass. I'd have him in my England squad. Vardey (has) and Kante and Marhrez will be linked to moves. You have a point though. You'd expect more players to be desirable. Wonder how many of Leeds and Blackburn teams Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal wanted the summer after they won titles? very good question and one every single owner/chairman should and will be asking their manager. Raneiri has made it very difficult for other managers to hide behind the available funds argument.

I'd say yes. You effectively flinch and bring you arms into protect your body. Lets look at it the other way, say Mane shot again straight at Simpson's chest and he moved his arms outwards, backwards or upwards (whatever way you want to describe opposite to what he did) wouldn't have that have been a totally unnatural movement?

I agree with this. Players make many more mistakes in games than refs, but managers never admit it was perhaps those that caused the team to lose. They also don't admit that they have made mistakes. It's just the refs that are to blame for defeats. The fact is you win some, you lose some. We have been on the right side of plenty of decisions in the last few years. There is no need to start crying now.

Didn't think either were pens. Mane should have taken his chance. Have to wonder if the five at the back killed us for the goal. Instead of Virgil being in the box he was out wide trying to prevent the cross. I guess that it might not have mattered, but I don't like seeing big CB having to go out to the flanks.

There are certainly drugs that aid faster recovery.

Are you suggesting the whole squad might be using PEDs?

Is any sport or team clean? They are all at it. The testing is inadequate, there is a complete lack of desire from governing bodies to catch cheats and the drugs are now so good they are becoming almost impossible to spot. Even when athletes are identified, or the evidence is damning, if they don't come from China or Russia we refuse to accept they could be wrong doers.

Players not in the side are going to be unhappy, but I doubt they are unhappy due to the manager being demanding. Personally I think Mane was lucky not to have been dropped earlier. RK gave him plenty of time to find his form, but eventually he had to drop him. I can imagine being dropped for being late will have caused some friction. With regards to Tadic and JWP, Koeman is a little erratic in his selection policy, which would effect confidence. In short, this article seems very plausible, but also pretty normal. When we start reading about friction between manager and board, then we might need to worry.

Uber seems to cut the throats of existing taxi firms. People are desperate for work so there is no shortage of interest, but it appears that drivers that sign up end up earning low wages. It's going to grow and grow. Customers get a marginally cheaper ride, so why wouldn't they use it? The people that really benefit are the ones that invested in Uber. A few get rich the rest get poorer. That seems to be the way of the world these days.

Not sure he is the best role model for later career improved performance.

Seeing as £700,000 has been shaved off the cva through early repayments do we now need to recalculate the 4p in the pound final settlement?

when he played for us his marauded down the right wing as part of a four man midfield. I don't think he ever played that role at Arsenal. IMO Wenger hasn't used him in the right way. IMO he was and maybe still is the perfect player for that position. Pace and skills to beat defenders, engine to get up and down and an actual football brain to enable him to know when to go/stay, when to pass/beat a man. Instead he was played as a winger or a centre midfielder, which isn't a problem for him, but have made him less effective. I'd take him back immediately, but I suspect he will get offers from one of the big clubs just like Wayne Bridge did when Chelsea allowed him to leave.

Not sure he was that quiet today. He caused problems and created a lot of space for others...but today so not the day to talk about those that left us...

I agree. For those that aren't fans just watch the effort he makes to track Chan and get a last gasp toe to the Lallana though ball, that would have been a certain goa. Then having stopped them going 3 up not long after his hassling and tackle led directly to our first goal. He's such a dependable player.

Poetry in motion tra la la la la... ...loved watching Koemen troll Klopp by running down the touchline to celebrate with players, although tentatively as he had his shoes on and didn't want to slip ass over tit.