NickG

Newcastle away

What makes you think the contract wasn't good enough? Maybe he didn't like the idea of getting on the bench being a good week? As it stands, it seems, correctly in my opinion, that Koeman considers Schneiderlin and Wanyama as his choice for DM. When they were out he started Reed and Davis. He has also used Toby and JWP in central midfield roles. He would do a good job when needed, particularly when /if we get European football. But if all fit he is very unlikely to be first 11, and far from guaranteed to make squad. Not worked all out but not sure he would make mine. If Schneiderlin goes, I hope and expect we will be looking for first team replacement rather than moving everyone up.

Personally would disagree. Would have had Wanyama and Schneiderlin ahead of him by some distance at start of season. Would also have JWP and Steve Davis ahead. Think Reed looks more reliable and energetic defensively, albeit early days and Reed at moment shown less range of play. If every is fit he would struggle to make the bench IMHO. Seems decent character, and never worried it he is playing but squad player at best now.

Think comes down to what you mean by "badly need"? The current squad, which I guess you said was weak and would struggle towards the bottom, is after 60% of season in top four. If you go back to start of season what would you have said we would have needed to be top 4 after 60% of season? The clubs definition of need is probably very different to yours, and yours is probably more of a want. We now have proven forward players in Mane and Pelle. We have recently added Elia. Albeit lost Long for a few weeks. What I don't know and is huge impact on what we need is JRod's fitness and the standard of young players. Yes we could do with another forward, but it will mean players such as Long, Seager may fail to make the bench. I don't get the big issue with us not having another Pelle, how many clubs have one, let alone two like him? There are plenty of other ways to attack if he is injured... Newcastle goals for example.

So your argument is we need to sign player permanently to cover Long and JRod who could both be playing in just few weeks? That's the sort of planning that leads to a bloated squad, big wage bill and bad team spirit. Need to plan to cover reasonable injury levels but also ve aware of squad size when all are fit. No idea situation with JRod but expect Koeman has.....

Just heard Talksport's Dutch journalist on radio. He was one who at beginning of season said we had taken the more intelligent, better tactically manager from Holland (not sure went as far as saying we would be above Man U!). He said... Jordy Classie, expects Koeman to have very good go at signing him in summer and said best player in Holland, likened him to Fabragas. Also said expects Koeman to return to his old club as wants their young CB...didn't catch which one.

Wonder if he sees Elia and Mane as more than capable forwards. Chelsea have done well without forwards scoring in the past. An attacking four of Tadic, JWP, Mane Elia Could work well. Its balance of enough players for injuries but not ridiculous amount when all fit (why was bit surprised Cork offered contract when we are linked to potentially better players). Are they expecting JRod to be part of the squad? If so , Pelle, Long, JRod, Mane, Elia, Tadic, JWP (as think his best position could be just behind a forward) plus under 21 is a decent attacking squad.

I'm glad our manager is better at judging a player, and has started JWP just about every game he has been fit. I do wonder what some people want in a player? Anyone who can look down and sprint?

Two sendings off today. I assume both miss our game? Siggurdson big loss, their top scorer left after Bony, but also by far their top provider.

Think most people would realise it is generally harder to get into Man U 's team, particularly at that time, but some may not have thought and appreciate pointing it out. You have made the leap to say he is better than Scholes due to number of appearances. I don't say, or think that. What the point clearly is, is how well he has done, and that it is short sighted to mock any comparison with Scholes (the post I replied to). You belittle his success due to it only being with Saints not Man U....do you honestly think he wouldn't get a game for Man U? I would be surprised if he does as well as Scholes. However, at the age when very good players are doing well to break into a prem side, he is in his third season, a first choice player, playing for side in 3rd and already one of better (not one of best) players in the league. I personally didn't realise, until I looked it up, how well he has done compared with other very good players. You may not rate him so highly but calm down and see how he does

As you clearly think it is ridiculous and lol to suggest JWP is at the level Paul Scholes was at when he was this age, I wondered if you could explain what you are basing that on? Clearly not the preformamce level that that Scholes had shown in the prem, as Paul Scholes hadn't played in the prem at this age, so you can't be comparing the 61 games, often to very good reviews that JWP has played in the prem. Maybe its what you saw in their young international appearances? Maybe because at this age Scholes had played three times for England under 18. Clearly not same as JWP, the clearly inferior player who has only managed ; 7 Engand U17 4 England U19 4 England U20 13 England U21 Has scored the goal of the tournament against Brazil and voted top 3 players in Toulon tournament, Think he has 3 or 4 years to get his first England cap to be ahead of Scholes in that as well,think he may well do it. He is still young, already good enough for Koeman to see him as a regular starter ahead of a good player like Cork. He may not become the best midfielder in the country....but has made an exceptional start and think you are failing to appreciate how good and how yong he is when you scoff at him reaching the top. I wonder what you would have thought at Scholes at the same age, playing reserve/youth football?

When everyone is fit would he be confident of making the bench? For example, he won't get near Wanyama and Schneiderlin for the two defensive roles. Hard to say the advanced three as will depend on form and opposition but, for example Tadic, JWP and Elia. Then the bench maybe gk, two from Targett, Gardos and Yoshida. Leaves two from Steve Davis, Shane Long, Mane, Harrison Reed, other young players and Cork. I don't think he would be in my everyone fit / in form 15. However, everyone won't be fit, there maybe long term injuries, we maybe in Europe, he is a reliable player so hopefully he stays. I wouldn't criticise him for going, tbh he possibly should - we would be quick to moan about a player leaving us to be reserve player at Man U. I don't think he is being offered a contract to cover future departures - as this would be conscious weakening of the squad.

Less any costs had he signed new contract :fees, increased wages . yes ideally have players on contracts of just right length to keep them here unless fee paid, but risk of offering longer/more expensive contracts to players we want to replace but get stuck with. Hope he stays but would he be an obvious choice over any of these (roughly in order) Schneiderlin Wanyama JWP Davis Tadic Elia Mane Reed Cork I appreciate some of those undertake different role but think first four names offer more.

I was curious how JWP's development compared to other midfielders at similar ages. JWP, aged 20, 76 first team appearances, 61 in premier league. At same age; Schneiderlin 52 league - 22 league 1, 30 championship. Steve Davis 16 prem David Beckham 4 prem Scholes - yet to make league debut Lampard 35 prem for west ham Gerrard 41 As he is already one of Koeman's first picks it is easy to forget how young he is. Think he has been excellent recently, possibly overtaking Davis.

I wasn't looking at catching them but did notice earlier... We are closer to Man City than they are to Chelsea. We are closer to Chelsea than spurs , west ham orliverpool are to us. We , despite having hardest last 6 games, are two points clear at top of current form table, having gained 5 more points than Man C, 7 more than Man U in last 6 games. Rather than starting to struggle without squad size and it being 'just a good start' we are still improving compared to top sides.

Not answering all of your post, but just to say if read tone of how I spoke about your comments they are clearly not critical or antagonistic... If anything complimentary. Reason not answering all your post is so I'm not tempted into any boring tit for tat squabbles that ruin too many threads, often same few people . There are two or three people who seek to troll others with false claims. If you take offense at reference above I'm sorry...I can't edit but was passing comment to make point. I was pretty sure you made comments about Everton last season when we were doing well and people talked about breaking into top 7, doesn't make much difference but if you say you didn't so be it. Not going to ruin thread correcting what we all know is wind up. At least makes change, for years of being happy clapper I'm now told I am negative! Lol Enjoy your weekend of football

Find it hard to be rational and objective when predicting our finish. There is still something that stops me picturing us finishing 3rd or 4th....just seems too much like we are dreaming (Turkish, who tends to be one of more level headed posters with where we are etc, was saying last season we are light years away from Everton, i would think they would be doing well if they were 3rd at this stage, so how do people see us?). We are now over half a season gone, so would be foolish to discount the possibility of finishing where we are...if we were in bottom three I am sure people would say that a lot of season gone so good chance will stay there. Bookies generally seem to have us finishing 5th, in a big market like this they are probably fairly objective. Still would be amazing climb, league 1, championship, 14th (?), 8th, 5th and European football. Still seems bit to good to be true. The time we were going to be found out was over festive period, mid winter, playing every couple of days, squad stretched, injuries, suspensions and hard fixtures..... However we were top of the paddy power festive table with arsenal, Everton, palace wins and Chelsea draw. We have rarely seemed lucky gaining points when spurs and man u seemed to have performed badly and gained points with sending offs, penalties, late deflected goals etc...all count but we seem pretty consistent. Who has played better? Maybe just two teams. Team with best defensive record nearly always finishes in top 4. Teams chasing us..west ham, Liverpool, spurs still to come to St Marys. Rather than fading we are 2nd to Man C in current form. We are, with goal difference, 4 points ahead of 5th...who play man city. We are 8 ahead of 8th and playing better. Can we finish 3rd....yes fair chance. Will we ridiculously feel slightly disappointed with 5th/6th? Probably! Can I picture us keeping on winning and staying top 4? No, just as it doesn't seem right. I can't see us being as 8th, or high as 2nd...so will be great season, trying to enjoy battle for 3rd without feeling disappointed if we drop to 6th! Finally, back to bookies, good chance of 3rd/4th but most likely 5th/6th.

All these players having contracts with two clubs, about time F.A. did something about it! Lol. How many years ago was it Fitz first told us Arsenal had an agreement for Morgan? 6? Maybe Morgan is being honest when he says he will sit down with the club at the end of the season to talk options? Maybe what seems , by far the most sensible option for both player and club, the explanation given by player, the one that wouldn't breach any rules just maybe the real situation rather than conspiracies? Would it make sense for him to commit to Arsenal, when there is chance two other teams who want him may end up ahead of them in chase for Europe? (Us and spurs). Who knows what will happen, I know he will definitely leave this summer but I am used to it because he definitely left last summer!

Without getting into whether this view ever had any merit, the thing I never quite got was why Chambers was seen as a big issue. The price we received for a player who clearly was going to be 2nd choice to a top young player was a no-brainer. I think there is a fair chance if he had stayed he would have still be waiting for a start.

Lovren, Lambert, Lallana.... If Liverpool when every game they have remaining for the rest of the season - home and away...they will still finish on a lower points total than they did last season.

Gut feeling is that it isn't too bad. If we a bad injury, eg torn hamstring don't think he would spend 2nd half looking relaxed sitting outside on the bench. Think the physios would be looking at some Rest/Ice/Compression/ Elevation at the very least!

IF he comes back, playing as he was before the injury, next month, we will (bar significant injuries) have a very good chance for top 4. Attack from Pelle, JayRod, Mane, Tadic, Elia, Long Midfield from Schneidlerlin, Wanyama, Davis, JWP, Reed, Cork. Not expecting / counting on him, but....

Isn't your thinking exactly the approach fans criticise likes of chambers for? Wanting to be squad player at, for example Man U or Arsenal rather than play regularly here? He has seen that Schneiderlin, Wanyama, JWP, Davis are all used ahead of him (IMHO rightly so). Harrison Read maybe now seen as at the same level. Unless there are injuries, or sustained loss of form, he isn't likely to play a large amount of games. Having said that he is a good option for the squad as you can rely on him for a decent performance, would never be my first pick but never worry to hear he is playing.

17 games left. Last season performances over last 17 games were.. Champion contenders.. Liverpool amazing run 42 points Man C 39 Chelsea 36 Everton / arsenal 31 Spurs 29 Maybe top 4 contenders would be looking at another 31 this season? (1.82 per game). That would mean any top four contenders increasing their ppg except us, Chelsea and Man C Last season, as we faded with relatively poor squad, arsenal only gained 5 points on us, with no real change in goal difference. So even if we see the season out as last season, (27 points more) we may have fair chance.

JWP has been pretty much first choice when fit for while. Seems to be seen well ahead of Cork and on par with Tadic. Excellent reliable team player.