Special K

When we went down in 2005, we had 18 points after 24 games and were in the bottom three, two less than Hull in 18th. Back then the form of the bottom Clubs was very patchy and continues to be so today, but it seems the bottom three now are more robust then we were back then. My guess is that 40 points will be necessary to stay up, but 37 will not be. Based on current form I think we are in for an exciting ride into the end of the season!!

We've gone from one of the best defensive units in the PL to one of the worst. Reed needs to be accountable for not replacing Fonte and Puel needs to be accountable for how the defence are now so powder puff and concede at the drop of a hat. Thank Heavens for Romeu, because without him we'd be in serious trouble. It's going to be a bumpy ride from now until May and the cup final, whilst being a great day out, is going to be a distraction for the Team. All i can say is we'd better bloody win the thing!

Another consideration is getting the scheme built to CML approval, which generally involves an insurance policy from a Warranty Provider (NHBC, Premier, etc) which may be used by lenders when considering lending to someone who wants to take a mortgage out to buy the house you sell. TBH, i'm not sure what the rules are on small developments, but i know on larger developments that a Warranty is required and their inspectors will require site visits to witness the work taking place. This will be in addition to the local building control. Again, i'm not sure how it affects individual developments, but like anything, there is a cost involved and when getting a Builder, it may be worth trying to get someone with registration to the NHBC or similar. Worth getting it checked out.

My thoughts. Get an Architect that is used to getting apps through the local Planning. You may be asked to provide additional / supplementary information as well as drawings. Don't rely on the minimum 8 week period for consent approval. Beware of additional requirements with the consent. Small developments should be fine, though. Review the design to ensue it's relatively economic to build and doesn't include too many fancy things. If you use a Builder be clear about his scope of works and make as few alterations as possible. Employ them under a Minor Work JCT contract and establish a payment schedule and agreed durations prior to work commencing You will need to employ Building Control - the LA have privatised departments now, but there are lots of private enterprises that can do this too. You would be advised to employ a Structural Engineer for the structural design and calculations required for BC sign off. If you are financing it yourself, then that's fine. Consider self build finance too. A google search will pull some up. If it's in a built up area, that should be OK, but dealing with Gas, Elec, Water and Telecoms can be frustrating. December should be achievable. You can always consider getting the PP and flipping the land for a profit, if you can find a buyer.

The protracted and painfully slow appointment of Puel, gave Reed and Puel limited chance to operate in the summer transfer window. A window that was always going to be difficult due to the Euros and one that resulted in the Club not replacing two of our main goal scoring threats in Pelle and Mane. The heralded list of replacement managers obviously needed a lot of sharpening up over the summer and wasn't as conclusive as we've been led to believe. This has given Puel a big challenge with the EL games alongside the a new League and I think he's done OK, but like others, with far too much tinkering. Secondly, the Club knew that there was a potential problem with Fonte. None of us know the discussions the club had with Fonte over contracts, but even snippets from MLT throughout the Autumn, indicated he was on the way out, giving Reed plenty of time to canvas for a replacement, something which he has obviously failed to do and which is brought into sharper focus with the only apparent CB being looked at, being injured for the next two months! Hardly top class scouting that. Thirdly, as with the protracted Gabbiadini transfer, he's shown that he'll play the long game to save £7.50 on transfer fees. Maybe not a change in strategy, but not an ideal position to put yourself in when trying to tie up players expected to make an impact. Lastly, he's failed to assess the need for a striker. Blindingly obvious I know, but we've gone from a GD of +8 after 23 games last season to -5 this season. We've conceded 4 more goals, so not that different there meaning it's obvious where the Club have failed in recruitment. We were always going to have more games this season and the Club could and should have prepared better for it. I think we'll be OK in staying up, but if VVD is cashed in this summer, Reed will have to work bloody quick to get two 1st choice CB's in, with plenty of time to get them together to form a partnership, in time for mid August. The worry is if we lose the EFL Final, then our need to push up the league will be paramount (should be anyway) and this won't happen with 2nd / 3rd choice CB's for February and March, no natural captain / leader and a worrying lack of form and confidence. So yes, I think the OP is spot on, Reed has failed the Manager.

Whichever way i look at it, this is a big recruitment failure, made worse by the fact they've known for several months that Fonte would leave in Jan if they wanted him too. If VVD leaves in the summer we'll have to replace our two main CB's which will be extremely difficult and expensive. I think Reed has kicked himself up the arse here and his previously heralded replacement list of scouted players must have been lost. The ease with which Swansea punished our lightweight, leaderless defence last night is cause for concern for the rest of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if we continue sliding down the league whilst the Club focus on the Cup which we'll go into on the back of poor form.

Would prefer stronger team for wednesday night instead of today, but Arsenal reserves have some excellent players and this isn't the game to test too many of our reserves if we don't want to get thumped. Hopefully they can settle a bit in the second half and make the scoreline more respectable.

Completely outplayed, but to be expected with the side out there today

Which should have given the Club more time to find a replacement.

When i said decent Championship standard, i specifically meant the back 4.

Have to agree that if the Club assumed Stephens (rookie) Gardos (hasn't played for years) and Yoshida (not bad, but not great) would be adequate replacement and back up for a Euro winner leaving, then it is folly. Brought into sharper focus now that the defensive leader, (official) new Captain and best player in the team by a long way may be looking at a period of time on the sidelines. We all hope he isn't injured too badly, but one thing is for sure, we are fragile at the back without our main man and probably only up to the level of a decent Championship standard with the remaining CB's. That is a worry for the rest of the season.

That's absolutely spot on. I can't help feeling a little bit sorry for him as he seems to have ****ed on all of his fireworks. Missing half a season directly after winning the Euro's is a bit daft, especially if it's because he's thrown his dollies out of the pram. Also missing half a season at 33 is even more stupid as he's probably got no more than 18 months left of playing halfway decent football at the top level.

Bournemouth away aside, we've needed about 10 chances per goal up to now. Burnley at home we created 34 chances and managed only 3 goals. I don't know the stats for the last two seasons, but i'd be surprised if they are as high as this. We are good at getting the ball down the flanks, but because we've needed that extra man in the build up (usually the central striker) there is no-one in the box to finish or they are in the wrong place. And generally they are too short - no Pelle strength or ability to generate power on a header. Obvious to say, but we miss Mane and Pelle terribly as they would focus the attacking much more through the middle of the pitch. Redmond cannot make runs through the middle and more often than not, turns back / makes the wrong decision at key attacking times, taking momentum out of the attack. Also, under Koeman, we played more long ball at times, which we don't now as we have no outlet for it. I hope Redmond proves me wrong and changes his game for the better, which he needs to do in order to progress, but years of particular coaching and his own natural reactions do not give me confidence. I would love to eat my words and watch him as his undoubted pace and occasional flair improve and he becomes a regular goal scorer and provider. Let's hope he starts tonight.

Where is the leadership on the pitch? At least last Season Jose was the main man and the players knew it. This seasons been full of ****ing about with players every week and there's no skipper to lead on or off the pitch.

Really. Great play from him resulting in their goal. He isn't effective as either an attacker or attacking midfielder which makes him an irrelevance in the team, imho of course.

Redmond is dreadful.

I'm looking forward to us playing without Redmond. More often than not he ruins momentum in attack with his poor decision making and if we perform well today and on Monday with Boufal taking more of a lead role in attack i'd like to see Redmond used more as a sub and not be virtually guaranteed a starting spot.

Redmond is gash. Should be off instead of Boufal.

Quite. I didn't understand why Sims was selected when considering the size of the back four and defensive midfielders - big lads. Sims will get better, but in a one on one with a big, quick unit, he's second best all day long.

Spot on. His decision making ability is poor at key moments in play. He seems too indecisive and this hinders his overall contribution and affects his confidence. He has the ability to go past players but that appears to be the only really solid part of his play. He certainly has the ability to add more to his game, but it seems that unless he is more focused at crucial times, he will not improve a great deal and that has to be a concern for the club. It also seems more prevalent in English players than Overseas players. Compare JWP's key decisions against Hojbjerg's and it seems to me that Pierre is more effective more of the time. Obviously I've no data to back this up and it's only what I've witnessed from the stands, but i find it noticeable. Maybe a difference in youth training?

From what I saw from the Itchen it was hardly anything. All verbal but with some pushing and shoving. The were some frightened women / kids in the Prague end though, which was a shame to see. The Prague fans were very good at bundling in when the stewards got hold of one and ushering him away through their ranks in the confusion. Quite effective to get their mates out of a spot of bother. Obviously used to it!

I was going to write my own post, but this sums it up exactly for me. I can't understand the problems some have with Puel and the diamond system offering nothing positive after witnessing just three games. I only hope we do not get long term injuries to key players with such a heavy schedule in the run up to Christmas (and hopefully beyond!).

Hope we don't get injuries.

It's a good point and add to the mix that they are proven premier league players with half decent scoring records and a point to prove, then they could well be decent high wage gambles, although time will tell. I also agree we are a couple short, but it's a transition year, although it's a shame it coincides with our first EL campaign.

If they land both, then they are pushing on with a decent squad.