Saint Garrett

Neither is Ramsey and he’s our RB backup, Personally can’t see Bertrand going anywhere at this stage, but who knows. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thought they did a job on us tonight, pressed us out of it and didn’t give Redmond any space at all. They bullied us. McCarthy Stephens and Targett all very poor, thought Vestergaard was excellent in parts and shocking in others. Seems like Stephens was also lucky to not get sent off. Redmond and Ings couldn’t get in the game, don’t think anyone played particularly well. midfield did ok, but just seemed completely overrun in there tonight. Thought Valery did well on the whole, but had a couple of poor moments, notably when Zaha scored, but thought he had a decent game mostly. Take a point and move on, bit of a wake up call to those think we’re not in a relegation fight anymore, we’re not suddenly a good side, we’re still pretty poor. Absolutely should have strengthened in this window. Hopefully we get enough points against relegation rivals to stay up and have a rebuild in the summer.

Frustrating as he has talent, but he's not quick, and his decision making is not great. I'm willing to give him a chance, but he's been absolutely terrible so far. Remember thinking he played pretty well at Palace away, but had a couple of beers by then...

It doesn't look great - but I have more confidence in our squad than I did a few months ago - but concerning that we have weakened a squad that's already struggled for a few years now. Admittedly those that have gone I don't think are much of a loss, apart from Cedric and that's only if we don't bring in a replacement, because he's largely terrible. I'm fine with Valery at RWB, as long as he doesn't get sent off as Ramsey is clearly nowhere near ready to play in the Premier League yet. I guess in that position JWP could also do a job, but it's a gamble for sure. We seemed to be wanting a CB all window but that seems to have gone quiet, personally I've been surprised that we haven't been linked with any attacking players really apart from Adams. If Redmond gets injured then we're going to suddenly look very blunt IMO.

Why do Monaco want to let him go?

You'd think that if he liked playing under Ralph, and he wants to play in the premier league, he'll likely choose us over any other "mid-table" clubs.

Lewis - 21 - No idea really - think i've seen him once when we got dicked by Arsenal Valery - 19 - Been chucked in at the deep end and I think he's been very impressive. Quick, strong, sometimes a bit rash, but seems to have a lot of confidence in himself, got no problem with that. Not worried by him playing for the rest of the season at all. Ramsey - 18 - Probably the youngest on the list, again chucked into the deep end. Clearly got talent, but not ready yet IMO. A way behind Valery. Jones - 21 - No idea, think I've seen him once in a pre-season game. CB is a difficult position to come into as a youngster. Slattery - 19 - Very promising player, has slotted in when given a chance, and looks comfortable. Hesketh - 22 - Not really a youngster anymore, probably has one more year with us and then if he doesn't make it he probably needs to move on and play regularly. Could play a part if part of the squad this season? Looked ok, good skills, but not sure he's good enough to play regularly in the premier league. Sims - 21 - Obviously promising a few years ago, very disappointing loan spell, but could be an asset for us this season with our lack of options. Similar to Hesketh, I think that he needs to make it happen in the next year or so, or we'll be looking to move him on. Will need to be counted in 25 man squad. Johnson - 20 - Thought he looked promising vs Derby, and might need him on Wednesday...Not quite sure where his position is, but might need a loan move to get some experience. Barnes - 22 - Banging them in for the reserves, again part of the squad which needs to be named, promising, might need a loan move to see how he gets on. Gallagher - 23 - Can't make my mind up with him. To me, he doesn't look good enough to be a premier league striker, always been quite gangly and possibly lacking the technical ability, but proved himself in the Championship. Might get a chance in coming months but at the age of 23, it's difficult to call him a youngster anymore. Obafemi - 18 - Like him, works hard and is a nuisance. Again though, not sure he's got the technical ability to make it as a premier league player, reminds me a bit of Michael Antonio. Only 18 so got a few years to prove himself. McQueen - 23 - Again, not a kid anymore, think he's alright, but he'll have missed a big chunk of his development with this injury. Wouldn't be surprised if we let him go in the summer if he's fit again. Reed - 24 - Not a kid, promising performances in the Championship, just don't see where he fits next year. He's not better than Lemina, Pierre, JWP or Romeu. Can see him going to a Championship club permanently in the summer - possibly a newly promoted side.

More Saturday 3pm kick offs the better!

Good player Maxi Gomez, West Ham splashing the cash again.

You'd like to think that if Bertrand was nearly back 2 weeks ago, he should be back for this next week... Bertrand one side, Valery the other, I'm fine with that. You'd also hope that given there hasn't been a mention of Targett's injury, it's just a knock and he's fine. Assume he's back in training?

He's not a bad player, but not sure whether he's still good enough, strong enough and fit enough to be a hit for Chelsea. Only time will tell, but wouldn't be a surprise to me if he's a bit of a flop. Sounds like Milan getting Piatek to replace him for £30m, not sure why Chelsea didn't just buy him.

Absolutely sums my thoughts up. Something doesn’t add up here.

He's not played much, but very highly regarded...would expect him to go for more like £10-15m though if he goes...?

Not sure thats a huge negative. None of those would get in the team on current showing. The only thing it does show is the poor recruitment in the last few years bu the club is clearly trying to do something about it by getting rid of Davis / Gabbi, letting Boufal, Carrillo and Clasie go out on loan, trying to move on Forster, and hopefully trying to move Austin on. Personally I think it's more likely that Gallagher will go back out on loan, and Austin will fight with Obafemi for a place on the bench. In an ideal world, we'll find a home for Austin and keep Gallagher, and get his wages off the books.

Think we're fine with a four as long as it's not Stephens at CB.

Ah cheers. Guess we’re waiting to move him on before developing the Maehle deal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Who said he's turned them down?

Blackburn keen on taking him back in January, but deal expensive supposedly.

Bring in Joakim Maehle,possibly Willi Orban and Lookman, and get rid of Cedric, Hoedt and Stephens, and possibly Austin and I'd say decent window.

Didn't even know he was still our player, thought he'd left ages ago.

Yeah - I can't see Bertrand starting Sat tbh, but fingers crossed he's almost there...may be about the time of the transfer window closing... I'd have JWP instead of Lemina probably at the moment, I don't really want to watch Lemina going through the motions for 90 minutes again ideally, despite him probably being the better player.

Starting XI ------------------McCarthy------------------ Valery---Bednarek----Vestergaard---Bertrand --------Hojbjerg--Romeu---JWP--------------- Armstrong-----------------------------Redmond --------------------Ings-------------------- Bench Gunn Stephens Cedric Lemina Elyounoussi Long Austin Out of Squad Ramsay Targett Johnson Slattery Barnes Sims Gallagher

"SunSport has been told Leipzig will not stand in his way if he wants to leave and a club matches the £38million valuation on his head." Not going to happen if thats the case.

Very young and inexperienced and his performance was promising, but not yet anywhere near ready for first team football IMO. Valery is better than him for sure, but lets not forget that Ramsey has only recently turned 18 (October). Thought Johnson looked decent apart from a bit rash with various challenges, clearly not a left back at the moment. Some nice balls into the box. Slattery looked the most un-phased, thought he slotted in nicely, and certainly didn't look out of his depth. Promising and it's great these boys are getting a chance in the first team squad - they'll be learning every week.

Carillo doesn't even get a mention he was so bad.