saintant

Thought you said he was staying 🙂

Like Tyler to Everton this is likely to be a stepping stone for Fernandes - he's still young so plenty of time for moves to bigger clubs. This probably makes sense for where he is in his development now.

Yeah, being widely reported that we've agreed a deal with West Ham and he'll have a medical today. Shame but hardly surprising because he's clearly too good for the Championship.

You have to feel for Ranger's fans. The majority didn't want him but they tried their hardest to convince themselves that he'd work out ok. Unfortunately the same pattern has been repeated and the exact same sound bites have been heard at press conferences. I have to take my hat off to Russ because, for a guy with little coaching ability, he's fooled a lot of people , conned his way into some good jobs and made a hell of a lot of money. I think that the snake-oil well has now run dry though but he'll probably write a book about his exploits.

Right then Will....time to show us what you're made of.

More corrupt than the world cup draw.

What and give the bin dippers a chance - no way.

We're never going to win this cup so let's put out a decent side and give them a game then concentrate on the league.

Fuck me - can we get someone other than Liverpool.

I think Wood is better than you give him credit for.

PSG standing by ready to offer Russ a huge contract. Seems to be how it pans out for him. The more snake oil he sells the better job he gets.

Make them buy him if they want him.

Totally agree. It seems to have gone out of fashion but not sure why. Back in the day there were always lots of brilliant strike pairs including our very own McDougall and Boyer who were superb. Bring back the front two I say - 442 is the way to go.

Not sure about that. I think we have just got so used to how he performs that we've become almost blind to his many shortcomings. Sure he probably hasn't had a real howler so far but I'm unconvinced by his defensive abilities.

Disagree - Mads was the first decent signing.

Big lad, quick and powerful - what's not to like? Could turn out to be an astute signing - if so happy days. Could turn out to be useless - if so it's pretty much what we're used to.

Sat the defender on his arse and smashed the ball into the net. Didn't see much of that from Edozie 🙂

We just have.

His style of play and what he brings to the table in terms of creativity, playing between the lines, knitting things together and his goals return do not require pace in the way that wingers need it so I don't see that as that being an issue. I see a very intelligent footballer who will make a huge difference to our midfield. Great signing so hats off to Spors and the recruitment team.

All the above plus special mentions for Mads and Quarshie. Thought Wood did ok as well and Taylor when he came on.

Well at least they've signed one of their targets then.

Yeah I know. Just suggesting that we can actually put out a side that doesn't include him - it won't happen of course.

Assuming no Fernandes Baz Mads Wood Quarshie Taylor Robinson Charles Downes Fraser Stewart Archer

As Will Still said post match the first 30 odd minutes we were tip tapping around sideways and backwards instead of getting it forward. Once we ditched the Russball tip tap and went more vertical we started to dominate the game.. The two wingbacks both did well particularly Mads who was superb. Stewart and Archer have the makings of a good pairing the longer they are on the pitch together. Wee Man has been excellent and I heard him interviewed by Adam Blackmore when he said this is the first proper pre-season he's had for a couple of years. Quarshie got better and better last night and handled being on a yellow card from the first half very well.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on.