SNSUN

While under Hasenhuttl I think we will avoid relegation, I do think it would be a mistake not to strengthen, at least in attack where I still feel we are short creatively. (With experience, I do think we have the youth to cover now that Sims and Gallagher are back.) We could potentially push up this League this season, and even 7th place isn’t beyond us with only 11 points seperating us and Watford, but without strengthening I reckon low mid-table will be our final position, and a higher league position at the end of the season will surely make it easier for us to sign the better players in the summer. I have confidence in our manager, so Im sure he will do what he feels is right. It could be a fun deadline day again...

Actually glancing at the table, with all the money Everton have thrown a their team this year (not to mention other years), if we do win today they're only 8 points ahead of us. They've spent £80 million on Richarlison, Digne and Mina, not to mention the wages of Gomes, Bernard and Zouma. We've spent about £45 million and one of them is a reserve goalkeeper and one of them is Elyounoussi. They should definitely be doing better than they are.

If you offered me a draw now I think I'd take it, but it depends on who is back from injury. Hojbjerg is a big addition, especially as he could have missed this game but for the replay, and if Chaz gets any gametime, I expect he'll be buzzing too. On paper, Everton are stronger than us, but we have Herr Hasenhuttl so who knows what could happen. Everton aren't great on the road either. We have some winnable games coming up, so ultimately we don't want any more injuries or suspensions.

I often forget that Jordi Clasie is still on our books...

Difficult decisions for Ralph to come. Personally I'd get Bednarek on, shift Ramsey into wing back, shift Johnson forward, get Redmond on for Elyounoussi and Gallagher for Long if he can't continue. But then I'm not the manager. Need a much better performance this half, or Derby will punish us.

Johnson decent but he's got to cool it or he's a sending off waiting to happen... Hiw did we no the score that...

Looking forward to seeing what Johnson has to offer for the first time. Looks like a 4231 unless Moi is going to play as a striker. Personally think we have enough to get through tonight, especially with Redmond on the bench in case things go FUBAR, although that starting XI doesn't exactly scream GOALS! I wasn't too far off with my selection prediction. Shame not to see Gallagher start but I guess he's being eased back in.

I would agree this would be my priority too as things stand, more than a centre back, right back or striker, but with Sims back and some of the more attacking youngsters given their chance recently, I'm slightly more confident than I was a couple of months ago. The worry is one of Redmond or Armstrong getting injured, unless Moi miraculously comes good, which would leave us very light in creative experience. In mid-table that's fine, but not in a relegation battle. 12 months ago we were linked with Promes - exactly the calibre of player we still need a year later.

I've guessed a back 4 for this. I also think Targett will be rested unless Bertrand is closer to returning than we think. Also need to rest one of the centre backs, my guess is Vestergaard. Gunn Cedric Stephens Bednarek Ramsey Slattery Romeu Elyounoussi Redmond Long Gallagher subs: McCarthy, Vestergaard, Targett, JWP, Armstrong, Johnson, Barnes. While it's a good chance to play the youngsters normally, the fact it's on BBC and with an interesting tie at Accrington to potentially follow, means we need to be taking it quite seriously. Plus, if we bring one or two players in this window of quality, we could go on to have a decent cup run under Hassenhuttl if we win this.

If Cedric does go, we need a new first choice right back. No disrespect to Valery or Ramsey but I'd crap myself if we were to rely on them for the rest of the season. I still hope our business reads: RB in - Cedric out CB in - Hoedt out Striker in - Gabbiadini out Winger/attacking midfielder with pace in. Forster out. Too much business to do in January?

Not gonna lie, I’d out some large insurance bets on at half time but this win is worth every penny. Especially with Long getting what ended up being the winner. We clearly need incoming players this January but every 3 points between now and the end of the season is massive, as safety means Hasenhuttl can rebuild this squad to his image.

Truth - with our injuries as they are, I very nearly put Long in my Fantasy team this week as I needed a cheap option. Bit gutted now. Maybe an insurance bet needed here...

Accrington Stanley? Who are they?

Managed to watch the second half of the second half on a dodgy stream. Looked awful. No cohesion. Signings needed. Plus side, Redmond is bang on form, and Hojbjerg is back for Everton.

Reading the Derby forum, didn't realise Marcus Barnes is the younger brother of Giles Barnes, a once decent young player for Derby (and decent FM signing of old). I hope he gets a few minutes against his brother's former club. He also has history in the FA cup 3rd round having scored his debut goal in it for Yeovil. #FACTS

With Liverpool so often raiding us for talent, there's a very bad Ferry cross the Mersey joke in there somewhere...

Wow Bournemouth really going for it - using the "raid a top 6 club" model. (Which actually was something I'd wished we'd done with Chelsea over the last few years rather than sign the dross that we've actually brought in.)

Typical Chelsea, always miss directly what's under their nose and go off and sign other players. Batshuayi, Abraham, T. Hazard, De Bruyne, Bertrand Traore, and seemingly now Hudson-Odoi all quality players that for one reason or another they seem to overlook. (Not to mention others...) I think Abraham would be a decent signing, still raw but he's already shown he knows where the goal is and could go on to be a top striker in a couple of years. Was hit and miss on loan for Swansea though at this level. Wolves interested in him. (Personally I'd like to see Batshuayi here - Palace interested in him...)

Also if the Derby game goes to a replay, we would have Hoj back for Everton...

Bloody fricking transfer window been open for nearly an hour and we've not signed anyone yet. Hassenhuttl out (Well someone was bound to say it...) Happy New Year all! We still had Pellegrino in charge at this point last year so I still think things can only get better.

Beat City tomorrow, and we are only 10 points behind Leicester in 8th. OK, tongue in cheek, but this League is still very close outside the top 6. A few wins against teams around us by the end of February, and a few Hassenhuttl transfer gems in January, and we could well be looking to finish in the top 10 come the end of the season. (Though in the most recent table I did, I have us as finishing 13th.) As for relegation I still think it's Huddersfield, Cardiff and one other...possibly Burnley or Newcastle or someone slipping like Bournemouth. Relegation shouldn't be our concern long term.

Merry Christmas Saints fans, but it came early thanks to jolly old St Hassenhuttl.

Cracking save just now by Gazzaniga for Spuds in the Carabao...

The emergence of Valery will hopefully buck Cedric’s ideas up and push him into performing well again. Starting the season with no competition can’t have been good for his motivation. Stick with Valery until Cedric is fit, but then judge them from training. We also don’t want to burn Valery out so I think rotation is the way to go long term.

WHAT THE CRAP IS GOING ON!!! I't an awkward situation - I want to gloat at my Arsenal supporting friend but I know what we're like, and am holding myself back. Still a lot of work to be done in the second half. A 3-1 lead would be comforting...