The Kraken

I don’t think he’s limited as such. He reminds me of Fonte in the very early days, and when he played for palace before us. Very good for a lot of the game but capable of an absolute ricket in terrible areas that can get punished very easily.

Not seen a good replay of it yet but it did look like his shot was a big swipe left.

Yep agreed. No problem with a 4 against fellow bottom half sides, but an extra CB against the top sides is probably wise more often than not.

I was interested in team/squad values so looked it up. United had a guy on the bench (Sancho) who cost more than our entire first team put together. They had another one in the starting XI (Pogba). Aside from Greenwood, a youth product, they had ten players on the pitch at the start of the game who all cost more than Saints’ record ever fee paid for a player. The gap between the haves and have nots in this division has never been greater.

Absolute shambles at the back. Horrendous defending.

Just £50m gets you a Ben White these days. The new Bobby Moore at RB looks very shaky. Arsenal are getting totally bossed here.

We’ll see what comes in, but if Salisu and Bednarek are our starting 2, I will not be very confident at all.

Yeah true. I first just noticed the negative comments but you’re right.

Maybe just me, but I think Vestergaard will end up looking pretty decent at Leicester, I think they’ll suit his style. He’ll get a bit more protection all round and will have better outlets. I can see him doing well there.

I’d wager he’s no certainty to be ahead of Shane Long on some occasions too.

It’s all very well saying take the money, and I think the club will, but it all depends who we get in as a replacement and are they better than what we have. The club have done alright this summer in bringing in bodies quickly, but there’s an element of running just to try and stand still. I feel the same with Vestergaard and struggle to believe we’ll get someone equal or better to him in if he goes. Plus we’ve got a pretty young team, he adds some much needed experience.

Looks like kinesiology tape. Physios love a bit of that. When I used to do a bit of running and saw a physio, he’d be keen for me to use plenty of that tape if I had any ongoing niggles. Can be a right bugger to get off, mind, especially with body hair.

Not necessarily. If the club have already sold any number of Armstrong 17 shirts, it could be a bit awkward. When the Nevilles both played for Man Utd, Gary had G.Neville while Phil had just Neville.

Agreed. Diallo seems a lot more forward-thinking than especially Romeu and also a bit more than JWP for me. Different player entirely to Romeu and doesn’t offer as much sheer protection to the back 4. I like him as a player though.

Boulahrouz, Chelsea right back, wore 9. One of the worst.

Tomasz Hajto 7 was when I knew we were really in trouble.

I’ll be honest, non-traditional shirt numbers are my OCD kryptonite.

Good lad.

Vestergaard at 4 and Romeu at 6 should swap IMO. Yes MLG, I know there are variants of “traditional” numbers. But for me, 4 is always a defensive midfielder and 6 is a centre back.

One things it’s triggering in me is my propensity for a migraine. I don’t get them much at all these days but staring at that shirt could set me off. It reminds of the Simpsons episode in Japan where they get frazzled by the TV advert.

I’d be happier with Walcott or Tella in that position. Surely Shane Long’s only role in this team is if we’re winning (ROFL) with 5 minutes to go, to get on and run around a lot to pressure their defence.

He’s the front sweeper we’re clearly crying out for.

Yep, can’t disagree with that. Bednarek has been a first team regular for a side that finished 16th, 11th, and 15th. If we’re saying that staying up is the benchmark then yes, he’s probably good enough. If the benchmark is to break the top ten, then no he isn’t. And if that isn’t the benchmark aim, then what’s the point at all?

This is exactly what a work colleague of mine did when coming back from UAE, he stopped in Portugal for 10 days. Got an apartment with WiFi, worked during the day and enjoyed a holiday of it the rest of the time.

We’ll see I guess. I’d like to have your sense of optimism that our defence is revitalised by a replacement left back and a reserve right back, but I’d I’m not there yet.