labibs

Would also hope that they had some sense in trying to schedule the game for a regularly early kick off, given the distance the majority of our away support will have to travel to get home on a Sunday

Disgrace. Les Reed out etc

Boruc excellent. That's the keeper who kept so many clean sheets last season, knew what he was doing and wasn't afraid to risk taking some kicks. Ramirez looked ineffectual on the left, I think he needs to be central. JRod's energy was vital today, he is gd enough for prem and will be asset in the future. Shaw was also class, we will do well to keep him next yr. Having said that... Benteke won every header he went for, which was worrying andJos did okay, but did not look composed enough, some of his clearances very wayward. Villa were poor, they threw everything at us and it wasn't enough. They might go down. They just don't seem to have the game changing options from the bench.

Am doing exactly the same as you and my Villa supporting mate is also not confident at all. He thinks Westwood being out is arguably their biggest problem, without him, their centre mid is just really weak. Think it all comes down to the first goal tmw. If we get it, they will crumble and we should win. If they go ahead, their confidence may come back and it will be difficult for us. I fancy Puncheon to have a good game up against Bennett as well. If Jos performs, I'm confident

But Sony makes no money from selling consoles (in fact, don't they lose quite a bit on each PS3?), nor from the 2nd hand game market. They make their money from legitimate, 1st hand games sales. I realise that taking these steps might lead to gamers who rely on the 2nd hand market not buying a PS4, but that wouldn't really impact on Sony's bottom line would it, as those gamers don't contribute to Sony's profits? Rather than 2nd hand games, they could just rerelease the games at 2nd hand prices, several months after release, possibly as a digital download to keep the costs down? At least then they would see some money from those gamers who don't buy full price games?

Probably worth mentioning that at the very least Vlaar and possibly Dunne would be in that team were it not for injuries. Petrov would likely play as well were he not still receiving treatment for his illness. That's not really their strongest team, but a side brought out through circumstances.

This. Made me laugh this morning though!

Entirely legal, they can offer any price they want and it's up to punters to decide if they want to back it or not. It wouldn't be in their interest to cut prices on something unless every other bookie did the same, otherwise they would simply lose their custom to their rivals (particularly with most gamblers have account with multiple firms these days and the rise of internet betting). As a result, firms only tend to cut prices significantly after taking a big bet on something or because of inside information. With regards to the other point, I don't think there is such a thing as an ethical bookmaker! I would be surprised if PDC was being lined up to replace NA though. Even less managerial experience at top level than Adkins has.

Good post. I agree, interesting to see crowd reaction. Say we take the lead early in first half, only for spurs to go 2-1 up with say 20 minutes to go. Does the crowd roar the team on to push for an equaliser? Or think 'here we go again' and moan as Adkins takes off Lambert for Guly? If we get hammered, Adkins could well be in trouble, particularly as I think we'll get turned over away at West Brom on the Monday game next wkd as well. Fixture list / injuries aside, 4 points from 10 games is poor.

They've had a much, much easier fixture list than us so far. Not only does this help in terms of easier opposition, but it enabled them to hit the ground running and build up some decent momentum at the start of the season. (Much like we did last season) It's also worth noting they pretty much had a premier league squad last season (Taylor, Nolan, Noble etc) which they have added to in the summer. Their wage bill would be much, much higher than ours, which has obviously helped with their recruitment as well.

It's pretty clear that we operate a transfer committee system at the club, with LR in a Director of Football type role. This is not uncommon and used by lots of top clubs, both in England and abroad. Under such a system, whilst the manager will have a large say in selecting the type of player he may want to bring to the club, he will not have complete control. Effectively he is the head coach rather than manager and a vital part in 'the machinery' of the way the club works (for want of a better way to put it.) Given HR's relatively public dislike for such a system (the Woodward debacle etc), why would he want to join a club where he would have to work under these conditions? Particularly as, as others have pointed out, he will surely not be short of offers, given his managerial record?

Small point of pedantry, but it say '1.5m used fivers', which is £7.5m. It's confusingly written to be fair! Would be amazed if we got him (why would he want to come to a side battling relegation / could we afford his likely wages / he would surely have other offers if available), but he would be an excellent signing. Would give him the captainc straight away, let him command the defence and tighten us up a bit.

Voted to keep him for two reasons: I still think he can turn it round and because of the paucity of decent alternatives. The prospect of someone like McCarthy or HR fills me with dread. Adkins has clearly made mistakes, but has been unfortunate with injuries as well. I would give him until at least January and see where we are then.

Ah, enjoyable thread. I think it's clear that Adkins doesn't have sole control of transfers, but then I don't think that many managers in the top divisions of Europe do either, defs not the majority. Many clubs employ a long term, committee-based approach to transfers. When you consider the relatively short lifespan of managers these days (think its around an average of 18 months) you can see why clubs do it. If a club buys a load of players with one managers style then recruits another with a completely different one, the club is left with loads of unwanted players and their pressure on the wage bill. It's hyperbole, but imagine if Sam Allardyce was signing players for a club and then got sacked, only for Guardiola to take over? How many will he want to maintain at the club? Do I think there is an ethos re: transfers and a way of playing at the club: yes. Do I think Cortese is telling Adkins to play Yoshida at left back and drop Lambert for Guly? No. Anyone who does, knows more than me and I would love to see the evidence that led then to adopt that viewpoint.

Whilst by all accounts he is a quality player, available at a reasonable price and young enough that his value would improve greatly were he a success here; he is very much not a priority for January. If we get him alongside some other defenders , then great. If spare cash is used on him ahead of defenders, that's madness.

I've said before that for me the thing with Fox is who he is up against. He looked okay against Duff as he has no pace, but got destroyed by AOC at the Emirates. When a winger has pace, Fox gets caught out of position a lot more easily, as he can't get back quickly enough from his forward runs. I guess on Saturday he would be up against Jarvis? A decent winger and a good test to see if he can make it at this level. With Ramirez presumable still out, I fully expect we will see the same front four as started against Fulham, with Lambert off Rodriguez. I would like to see Mayuka given a go at some point though, even if just off the bench

Yep and he's class. I agree about our shape to an extent, but feel it's that coupled with individual errors. We do tend to leave our fullbacks isolated and that is where we can be hurt. We are also making individual errors at the back as well. I think Yoshida is good, he has the pace needed for a CB at this level. Where are the other centre backs that: a)better than what we have, b) willing to come here & c) willing to accept wages at our level? Particularly given our start, it's not going to be that simple to attract top class players to our club.

Wel, he put a volley narrowly over the bar, I wouldn't have called it a sitter. He also won a penalty in that game. FWIW,I personally think he's a decent player, I like the way challeneged defenders for the ball in that game. I would like to see him get a few chances in the premier league, at least off the bench.

I thought he had a decent game away at Watford? They are not a great side, but harsh to say he was no better than average there?

Worth pointing out that Sharp hasn't scored for Forest yet?

I realise I may get castigated for this, but I would rather see us go down than appoint Redknapp, with his short term, financially profligate, 'not my fault guv' approach to management. Even if he achieved some boost in the short term, he would leave us in a horrendous situation. You can kiss goodbye to the future careers of Luke Shaw, JWP etc as Saints players for a start

If we play two central midfielders and one of them is Ramirez, we will get ripped apart. If we play two up top (and not Ramirez off Lambert) then I think Ramirez would have to be in as a winger with two central midfielders who were happier to sit a little deeper (As we played last year). Probably Davis and JWP, based on availability of MS and Cork. I actually think Fox may do alright if he plays. Would be up against Duff I think, who despite being a decent player, was never known for his pace. It's when he is up against a very quick player that his positioning issues become highlighted and he looks terrible, IMO.

Think we could get another hiding here. Last night aside (in which Everton rested some players), they are absolutely flying at the minute and are just the kind of gritty, obdurate side to soak up any attacks we do have and punish our mistakes. Will be very interesting to see how Ramirez gets on in this game. I imagine Moyes will target him as a danger man, it will be good indication of he deals with heavy marking and a physical approach. We also have a pretty poor record at Goodison, don't think we have won there since the mid 90's? I remember K. Davies getting one in a 2-0?

Hmm, weird game today. Some terrible play, but also some positives. Poor: Davis had a shocker. Don't know what he was doing for the free kick, just completely misjudged. Beaten very easily at his near post for the 3rd as well. Wouldn't drop him yet, but needs a kick up the a*se. Fullbacks, both got roasted today. Gervinho and AOC had the measure of the pair of them. At one point, fox was done so easily it's a joke. If we're going to encourage them to get forward, midfielders have to drop in as cover. Not much thrust from midfield, Lallana in particular was comfortably handled by Jenkinson. Positives: Ramirez is a gem. Just on another level to rest of then. Always looks to change the angle of the attack and plays with his head up. Given space at SMS, he will punish some teams. Yoshida is quick and pretty good on the ball. Maybe not the brute CB we need, but could be an upgrade on what we have. Start of the 2nd half, we kept possession for a little 10 min spell and looked pretty good. Just undone by shocking defending at the back. As people say, season starts now really. Villa game is massive.

I would be very surprised if Adkins was sacked after 5 premier league games, which included games against the 3 highest finishing clubs in the league last year.