Saint Charlie

Same. OP correct.

Koeman said Gardos will be back full training in Feb

We are in talks with a few clubs to loan out Stephens again, but I guess will probably wait until Gardos is fit. Although with no cups and no need to rotate it should be VVD and Fonte every game unless injury or suspension hits.

If they both survive then I would be a little worried! Sunderland are dreadful in the main though. Agree Newcastle will have enough, plus players like Shelvey will come in and make a difference, whilst they still have good attackers. Table would look a lot nicer with another 3 or 4 points.

So you don't think Long is generally a poor finisher 1v1? Fair enough.

Assuming Villa and Sunderland are done, who will be the other? Probably between Newcastle, Norwich, Swansea, Bournemouth, WBA and Saints. Hard to call as looks like Newcastle are bringing in some quality and I personally don't think AFCB will go down, too much quality and team spirit. Swansea set to spend apparently but have been poor of late. Norwich pretty dire but seem to pick up points. WBA also dire but pick up points, solid defensively and may add. Saints have the best squad of those mentioned but on a dreadful run. Massive if, but if Sunderland do somehow put a run together then it would be pretty tight! My guess: Villa, Sunderland, Norwich

Maybe Aug - Jan last year was an exceptional period and the teams true capability is actually what has been demonstrated in Feb '15 - Jan '16 which is quite a large period across which to assess form?

Day 1: Rumour in Italian press. Day 4: Alex Crook's apprentice writes about it for the Mirror #standard PS - neither of the strikers mentioned are anywhere near good enough for us

Played as a winger and doesn't suit that position. Didn't impact the game at all really.

Everytime you start to think Gazza is decent, he tries to prove you wrong. Shame because some of his work (kicking for example) is excellent, but he is still soft. Never has a player been such a need of a season on loan playing regular adult level pro football.

2-1 Liverpool. Dire from Gazza.

Would be good player wise. But his attitude is dreadful. Plus we rarely sign players from the PL.

From this game and the last: Seager and Hesketh both good technical players, especially Hesketh, but don't get on the ball enough in dangerous areas. Seager very much a pocher with clever movement but not sure to what extent he would be successful in PL football against physically superior defenders. The majority of PL strikers are either very strong, or very quick - and Seager is neither, albeit an excellent finisher. Other such as Mugabi, Gape, Debayo are solid but not spectacular and Sims, whilst quick, needs to work on his touch. Gallagher not a wide man and on the fringes of the game. Reed the standout player in a solid team with few standout individuals.

Reed free kick hits the post.

Indeed. Plus those owners love the attention.

http://m.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/14196796.Forster_omitted_from_under_21s___but_hasn_t_suffered_setback/?ref=rss Pretty promising if they feel Gazza needs the games more than Forster. Must feel he is in good shape.

Great goal Reed. He really is the best U21 by miles.

Seager obviously been training with Shane Long...misses a 1v1 after a defensive cock up.

Good news.

Of course, will be great when he is back. But 1 U21 game after 9 months out isn't enough and makes me think maybe he is ill or has a minor injury because he was meant to play tonight and Saints do recovery properly, not on a whim.

I think West Ham will spend a fortune in the summer, probably in the top 3 or 4 of spend.

Koeman did seem pretty clear the other day that one U21 game wasnt enough and that he would play tonight. Its also on the preview on the OS that he was likely starting in goal. Forster himself said a few times after the last game that they have taken it safe and properly the whole way through the rehab so he wouldn't rush the end bit. Perhaps they are getting a bit desperate!

Gazza has played other games in the 21s though, not like he would suddenly be the starting keeper. Wouldn't have thought it would take much out of him playing tonight, but maybe they don't think he needs it. If he does play Weds it will be such a big lift.

Back in for Wednesday? Or ill/injured? Koeman said he was going to be playing tonight so something must have changed.

Re Seager: send him on loan to L1 for a month or two and see how he does there. We have nothing else to learn by him playing in diluted U21 football often against teenage CBs. Gallagher barely got a look in at MK Dons (but may do more in L1?) so see if Seager does better. If they don't stand out there then perhaps they aren't PL class.