the saint in winchester

Who cares if it's a derby or not ..... it's another game. Another chance for 3 points. Let's win this.

Puel clearly sees Tadic and Boufal as alternates for that position. Neither has proved themselves so they alternate and replace and each other. in games I'd like to see Sims used more, Tadic and Boufal won't like (what they will see as) an U21 taking their place, but Sims needs game time too.

Odd that he isn't being given game time. If we deemed we needed him in January, then we still need him now ... unless the club feel we don't actually need him now. This was a game to test him out in, with 2 weeks until next game. Same with Hassan. Genuinely mystified why we got them in if we had no plans to use them. If the argument is "as squad filler" "to make up to 25" then we could have used the U21s for that.

Get Hart in as well. He and FF can compete for the jersey! #ifiwasarichman

Puel now seems to have found his best side, and best formation 4-2-3-1, and needs to stick to it when and where he can. Add in VVD when fit and we will be a top half side again. We learned today that video technology must be used; that we missed VVD and maybe should have played Cacares to mark Ibra as he outshone Yoshi and Stephens. Surprised we went toe to toe with Utd; told work colleagues we would defend deep and play on the break; but wow we looked good. On we go. Take confidence from today and having a blinding final 12 games! And lol at Liverpool fans already wanting Gabbiadini. (tomorrow's BBC gossip page).

The Cacares deal is only until the summer, right? Anyone know if we have the entitlement to an option to extend his contract at a set rate? Or are we looking at another Alderweireld scenario where if he does well, other clubs can simply conclude a contract with him without us having a voice? Seems a shame if we are being used only as match practice for him to prove his is still up to it and can sign for anyone in the summer. I am asking if we have a hidden term in the deal that allows us to concrete boot him, at our option, if he proves to be a jolly good fellow.

None of them. The EPL should be elite. Keep relegations going until only 12 teams in the Prem.

Has he now? Time I resumed loitering around the Wykeham Arms!!! I will be your Sky Sports reporter. "Breaking news, fellas, VVD's partner has ordered an OJ!"

I'm really not one for vitriol or retribution ... but in this case, I really hope Vardy gets a taste of his own medicine. Virulent germ. Gone right off him.

Surely Yosh will be given that gig. Bertrand and Stephens to be tracking Antonio and Lanzini?

The German fella in Russia is injured until March, that news was uncovered today. So we are back to square one, all other possible options have gone elsewhere.

Yeah, I thought the same when I read that quote. I am hoping by 'regularly' he is ok with 1 game on, 2 games off.

Ask your son and let us know the answer.

Said that figure all along. They want £20M, we want to pay £10M. Easy this haggling lark. Now....off to the Turkish market while I'm on a roll.

Be still my beating heart. I have been hoping it's not one or the other. Sakho to replace Fonte. Tasci on loan to cover for VVD/Yoshi/Stephens.

Has anyone mentioned Branislav Ivanovic yet? Can play RB and CB. An older experienced player to play alongside Stephens (which JS clearly needs). A decent RB to compete with Cedric, so no more Martina. Appreciate he will be on megabucks at Chelsea but they are letting him go. We have to compete with potential suitors, not his last employer.

This. Discussion is irrelevant, when he prefers to stay at Chelsea on his current wage, whether he plays or not.

How many did we take to Wembley for the JPT? And that was for the tinpot cup, as some called it. Heck, we will want to take 90,000. 100% uptake on tickets available, I expect. Fantastique.

Yes from me. Use the £8m Fonte money, add £5-7m. Liverpool fan at office rates and says Liverpool would probably take that, as we have a special arrangement.

If we are getting £9M for Jose, then that goes a long way to funding a Sakho deal. If we can get him for £12-15M, that would be a good deal for us now.

No top draw striker available? Ulloa. Kone (Everton). One of the backup strikers at Arsenal? Cheeky enquiry for Rashford?

Said it before, I'll say it again. Leonardo Ulloa, pleeeaaasssseeee! Closet thing to Pelle there is. And find me a Mane type in the ACON...if anyone is watching that thing.

Can't we just swap Fonte for Sakho? Liverpool get a player comfortable playing alongside Lovren out of it. We think Sakho will play well with VVD. Win/win.

And that basically is the cogent summary. In isolation, we beat Liverpool 1-0, but over 2 legs we have missed the chance tonight to put it beyond them. Sadly Redmond was right to acknowlege he should have scored 2 or more of those.