James

Exactly and, in context of Les saying we wouldn't let him go on deadline day, why would the timing of the sale matter if we were replacing from within? Les led us to believe we'd be buying or loaning a replacement and he hasn't delivered. Despite what his apologists say he's got a track record of saying things and then not delivering. With VVD out he's taken a huge gamble.

My only gripe if we don't get someone is why we sold Fonte without a replacement or why Les Reed said we'd only sell if we replaced. Our approach to the CB issue seems a bit haphazard if we have been, as reported, caught out by Tasci's injury/change of heart on the last day of the window. In previous years we've mocked clubs for doing last minute panic business on deadline day and now we find ourselves doing it to remedy a deficiency we have had since the day we sold Fonte.

How do you know that Watson recommended anyone? Or that they were available? Or do you mean Taylor?

Adam Leich on Twitter saying the club are hoping for a defender but aren't certain we will get one. Poor planning to leave it to deadline day IMO. Very unlike Saints.

Then we are talking Stephens and Gardos at Wembley. gulp.

ESPN saying Tasci deal off. Got a horrible feeling we are going to leave ourselves too light at the back.

It seems to be the consensus on Twitter (people seem to be quoting a Russian journo who claims he is out for 2 months. Could, of course, be BS.

Reports that Tasci is out until March. Pointless to sign him on loan if that's true. Bit odd.

Bit surprised we are going after Tasci. Doesn't have an especially good write up post Stuttgart and very injury prone it seems. Maybe a smokescreen for Sakho?

Why? He'd get even less game time there than he gets here. If he's upset at not being first choice then why would he go there? He's nowhere near their first team on current form.

If we were to let him go (and fwiw I'd persevere with him) it would have to be in the summer not tomorrow.

Sounds an exciting signing but will, for me, be slightly soured if we let JRod go tomorrow. Welcome Gabbi.

He's been first choice for us since Austin has been injured. He's been rotated along with the rest of the team but for our most important recent games he's started.

Would be absolute madness to sell JRod in this window. We need to add a striker not maintain the status quo. Then again, given our recent record of cashing in, I wouldn't be surprised if we did let him go. Would be a massive blow to lose another fan favourite so late in the window especially as Gabbi's goal record isn't exactly first rate.

Doubt we'd put it on the website if it wasn't true.

Hopefully that means he will be fit for Wembley. What a huge boost that would be.

Jack's poor performance is the real cost from this evening's game. Hope his confidence isn't shot.

Stupid selection and got the result we deserved. Reinforcements in the next few days please Les (I won't hold my breath).

Was over as soon as he decided on that line up.

Has fallen off a cliff since the start of the season.

This really is going to crush the confidence of our younger defenders and young keeper. Poor decision from Claude here.

Yes and an innocuous incident like the one that did for VVD could put him out for the season. We are playing a very risky game with injuries. It's clearly question of minimum possible investment in the squad until the Chinese come in. Oh, 5-0. Embarrassing.

If we had taken the same attitude in the League Cup we wouldn't be in the final would we? A stronger team could have tested this Arsenal side.

It's already replaced the "we're 9th in the league" and "10th in the league" excuses that seem to have been spent now we're in the bottom half. To be fair, its a monumental achievement for a club like us and so our players and squad do deserve an amount of leeway because of that. The League Cup has, without doubt, saved our season but IMO it shouldn't give us a free pass to play poorly for the rest of the season even if we were to win the cup.

Not really the point I was making though was it? Also, Arsenal also played on Sunday not Saturday.