woodsaint1

Why not? They're different kinds of players and they seem to be targeting both. Arsenal needed another CM initially and now they also need to replace Xhaka

3/10 is being kind to Orsic

Hopefully it turns out to be more Pellegrino than Pochettino for them

Maresca did turn us down but did any source say he was first choice though? We could have been putting out feelers for interest among a number of our preferred candidates simultaneously

The delay isnt ideal for us, but its also not ideal for one of our championship rivals in finding a replacement. Swansea looking to League 1 for their new manager (Michael Duff who has done good jobs at Cheltenham and then Barnsley)

All I know is he was the Swansea player sent off in the playoff final a few years ago when they lost to Brentford. Seems an odd link given hes 29. Not advocating that we go down the youth route again for our transfer strategy, but perhaps more players in their mid-20s. If we're targeting players nearly 30, then I would be hoping for alot more experience than Swansea, Wigan and Falkirk

Would be happy with something similar to this. Was one of the retro tops the club was selling not too long ago

AA was the second top scorer (behind Toney) in his last season at this level, so he definitely deserves a chance if he suits Martin's style. Aribo will also likely suit the new style of play and has shown quality at Europa League level. Elyounoussi is out of contract and would also be happy to see the back of Diallo, Tall Paul and throw Djenepo, McCarthy and Lyanco into the mix also

We will 100% be selling Lavia, JWP, Salisu and likely KWP, so theres the guts of £100m +. We'll also be clearing the decks of Moi, Walcott and AMN so there will be some wages saved there. And on top of any other squad trimming sales for those deemed surplus to requirements, our owner isnt exactly short of cash/ambition either. Therefore for the likes of Alcaraz, Sulemana, ABK, Tino etc, we should be trying to build a good squad around them and playing hardball with any offers we receive (unless they're absolutely ridiculous fees)

Loved him during his time here, even if it was for only one season.

Will we be the only team to have beaten City in a cup competition this season?

As long as the football is good to watch and we're winning alot more games next season, I couldnt care less if we wore brown and pink stripes

And maybe didnt appoint Dean Smith. Some bizarre selections including benching Maddison and Barnes in their penultimate game. Another manager living off one successful job

This is hardly groundbreaking stuff. For alot of players who've moved to a foreign country, they will obviously gravitate to those who speak their language. I doubt that these 'cliques' were disruptive and affected squad harmony, and if they did, then its a failure of management (shock) and senior figures like JWP/McCarthy/S Armstrong that this was allowed to happen. I imagine JWP would have had his own clique - it was certainly the case when the likes of Stephens, Austin, Redmond, Forster etc were here. I certainly recall Tanswell suggesting squad harmony being affected by the age disparity as a result of our youth focused recruitment and alot of the younger players turning up late/always on their phones etc. That would sound more plausible than disruptive cliques based on nationality/first language

Would be very surprised to see Bournemouth sign Stephens permanently as suggested. While he had a good run of games from new year until they played us (ineligible), recently hes dropped to 5th choice behind Senesi, Kelly, Zabarnyi (who cost them 20m in January and who they have high hopes for) and Mepham. I could see one of the promoted sides being interested as he would give them that no frills, solid, PL experience. Most likely scenario is that he'll be back with us and he could be very good in the championship. If it was between having Stephens back or keeping Lyanco, its a no brainer for me.

He pressured Salah as he was the nearest defender to the ball. Lyanco is the covering defender and can see Jota making his run and just lets him sail past

Yep it was KWPs fault that Lyanco was shuffling around on his arse while Liverpool scored their second.....and his fault that Lyanco didnt check Jota's run for their fourth. Apart from the occasional full blooded tackle, he is utter shite

And we'll have players who'll be able to do a job in the championship (not withstanding one of our better players like JWP, Lavia, KWP etc who we may be able to keep) - the likes of Bednarek, Stephens, DCC, Tino, Bree, Perraud, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Edozie, Tella, S Armstrong, Che, Mara can all do very well in the championship. Getting rid of those other players I listed is exactly what we need to do. Also dont know how you say we cant attact PL level players next season. They dont have to be playing PL currently, but if recruitment is good, theres plenty of players across europe and the championship who would be good enough. Loans will be crucial too as Burnley have proven

Very radical. He may have played well but we still conceded 4 today. We can moan about our attack and the chances not taken this season, but our defence has been abysmal, conceding an average of nearly 2 goals per game. Positionally hes a disaster at times and he dives in way too much. No amount of chest pumping will make up for that. Yes it was a spirited performance today but it wont change my mind that hopefully we've seen the last of the likes of Lyanco, McCarthy, Diallo, Djenepo, A Armstrong and those out of contract. Some may be able to 'do a job' in the championship but we really need to start building a squad of players capable of performing consistently at PL level should we return. None of these players to me are good enough

Getting pumped by Liverpools C team would be a fitting end to this season 💩

Fair dues to them. Both better run clubs and better teams than our shower of shite

Nathan Jones laid the foundations for getting Luton promoted, and laid the foundations for getting us relegated. Impressive 👏🏼

If he gets us promoted, he will definitely get the chance to manage us in the PL. Cant think of many managers who've not been given the opportunity to manage in the PL after promotion. If we're struggling by xmas time in our first season back then his job may be under threat

Here we go again......

We were repeatedly linked when he was leaving Celtic so it could be an option. Think there were question marks over his work rate and attitude however