CB Fry

LOL. Corbynomics.

Koeman took a club that have finished top eight in 8 of the last 10 seasons including 3 5th and 2 6th place finishes and took them to probably seventh. He's a miracle worker and no mistake.

I think I preferred it when Glasgow's WUM routine was based around how our highest paid player was on £55k a week and we were being blown out of the water in the transfer market by level two clubs like Stoke. This new angle that we are profligate cash-splurging nutcases is less hilarious. Well done on trying to keep the act fresh, though.

No wonder Bertrand had Puel by the throat on the training ground.

There's drivel and there's drivel.

Bizarre you are looking at this is such a ridiculous black-or-white way. We signed someone we think is perfectly capable to cover our (current) two centre backs. If the club didn't think he was competent he wouldn't be on the effing bench.

Solid analysis from L'Equipe.

Except if we had done nothing and only had Alfie Jones on the bench, you'd be furious. Inadequate. We've brought in experienced cover for emergencies. We didn't really want him because we tried and failed to sign the two CBs in January. We ballsed it up in Jan but Caceres was just a sticking plaster, best of a bad job. If he never ever plays that's fine by me. Job done. He's the umbrella you buy to stop it raining. Seems a bit odd that you'd rather we didn't bother with that when it's pretty clear you'd be fuming if we didn't. Imagine if Caceres had signed for, say, Hull and we were left with Alfie Jones. You'd be saying "well I'm glad we didn't bother with him" would you? No I don't think you would.

So tonight on another thread you are berating the club for our transfer business in the summer for being inadequate. But on this thread you are advocating that what we should have done is sign no centre back cover whatsoever and just bung an academy kid on the bench to cover the already inexperienced Stephens? You'd have genuinely have been fine with that in February this year? That doesn't strike you as being a more inadequate option than signing an experienced player who could come off the bench in the event of a suspension or injury?

Well, they obviously won't be.

Haven't looked, we're not going down under any circumstances outside of a points deduction.

We are safe anyway.

In the last few years we've signed Lovren, Toby and VVD and players like Bertrand and Cedric who were both slated when signed but have been great. I have no doubt we have our real targets and we are capable of signing them and they will be quality. I expect us to sign two CBs - an expensive one (Boufal/Gabbi level price) to replace VVD, and a less expensive (£6m) one to replace Gardos/Caceres (but good) taking us back to four first team CBs. The interesting thing will be to see who from those 4 is our first choice pair next season.

We aren't considering signing him permanently. He will be out of the door the minute the full time whistle blows at the Stoke match in May. He was signed as desperate emergency cover and wouldn't have touched him if we hadn't co cked up in January with our two targets falling through. He's had not one but two entire transfer windows to attract "big name suitors" when he's been a flipping free transfer. He'll be looking for another suitor come June because he won't be signing for us.

Okay then.

Indeed. He was very obviously nothing more than a desperate signing, will have no role in our future and we wouldn't have touched him if one of those two potential CB signings had come off in January, whoever they were. It's slightly mental the way people seem so desperate for him to play - he's gone through two entire transfer windows where he couldn't get arrested. He's clearly not the world beater some think he is. I think the enforced run for Stephens has been a good thing all in all. He will only play if the other two get injured or suspended - that is very clear now.

I am slightly surprised Puel hasn't at least brought him on for 25 minutes by now. I know typically you don't tend to sub on/off centre backs but even without seeing him ever kick a ball I know he's more likely to score than Jay Rodriguez.

Seriously, that's your take out from this game? We've been shaky defensively but in this game we have played some nice stuff and with attacking intent, especially in the first half. Also, we're playing the champions elect.

Apparently he had Puel by the throat on the training ground yesterday.

We're doing alright here. Kiss of death, 1-3.

So far ahead of my stream its untrue. But nice to know it's coming.

Ballbags.

Come on you bunch of tarts.

I'd say this is more about giving Boufal a decent crack in a match that is simultaneously a "big game" but also one of no real consequence (ie it will hardly be a surprise if we lose, and it won't really impact the season). People seem to always want squad depth come the transfer window. Well this is squad depth. You sign a player for £17m you have to find a way to get him game time.

Leeds or Sheffield Wednesday, be nice to get shot of the tin pot clubs in the Prem.