derry

As I see it Liverpool want VVD, they can't bid as long as Saints say they won't sell him, otherwise they could be in deep transfer ban trouble. The only way VVD can join Liverpool is if the current non co-operation tactic wears the management down. Then Saints would have to contact Liverpool, if they hold firm Liverpool are stymied no matter what the agents and VVD want. In any event we should get in a replacement ASAP.

This sums up Ken completely, silky also comes to mind. RIP

The Libero became outdated when it was rumbled, some Italian managers then moved the libero (sweeper) in front of the defenders to allow them to be more playmaker and defender such as Desailly at AC Milan, hence the front sweeper which has now evolved into the defensive midfielder or even two. The popular formations being used today have mostly been around for half a century or more. Ramsey played 4-1-3-2 in the 1966 world cup as stated by Nobby Stiles in his book rather than the 4-3-3 popularly attributed. Stiles did however man mark Onega against Argentina and Eusebio against Portugal with Ball Charlton and Peters in midfield behind Hurst and Hunt. From Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson. A history of football tactics.

Good move for Reed, now ship out Davis and JWP and bring in a couple of midfielders that can get some goals and provide a bit more than backwards and sideways.

The midfield has been a problem because it consists of Romeu plus four players that very occasionally get a goal. The midfield really should be Romeu plus one. Davis, JWP, Clasie and Hojbjerg are not goal scoring forwards and really only Hojbjerg has the physicality to play there. The three forwards or if you like attacking midfielders must form a goal threat. That means that only one of Tadic, Redmond or although I think he flatters to deceive, Boufal, should play at any one time. We really need a new goal scoring midfielder like Sigurdsson or play two from Gabbiadini, Austin, Long and Gallagher behind the striker. If Pellegrino is going to press from the front then there is no place for the lightweight non physical player and all the outfield players will need to be able to win the ball back and be able counter attack quickly rather than pass the ball around our back four.

He sounds like a very intelligent lad, speaks very good English.

Before Sky interviewed Reed they were quoting that Saints had told Pellegrino that none of our top players would be sold such as VVD specifically and eg Soares. In the interview the first question was that statement which Reed immediately confirmed those players would not be sold.

Without buying somebody in our number one centre back partnership as it stands has to be VVD and Yoshida by a country mile. I'd like to see us buy Ake and play him alongside Romeu with the option of using him at the back if necessary. Played at least one season in midfield at Watford.

Bednarek looked good on the ball, 6' 2" but not particularly good in the air similar to Stephens, more a second centre back rather than a primary like VVD and Yoshida that attack the aerial threat. Looked a decent young player.

The comment about players out was in response to a question about Rodriguez and WBA etc which he didn't comment on.

Most of the English players don't seem to be able to smash the ball low with the instep preferring to side foot or wrap the foot around the ball losing the explosive power through putting the foot through the ball keeping the knee over the ball and weight forward. If they do mostly lean back and miss high. As most have been with clubs from about 8 years of age and still favour one foot it appears that coaching and application isn't good.

Les Reed live on Sky for about five minutes. said little, usual propaganda, strong squad, odd individuals may go suiting both parties, one or two first team players may be bought plus for the future. Puel good guy but needed a change to move forward over the next five years, where the club wanted to be and Pellegrino was the best man to do that. No Pellegrino targets but have taken him through the players that the club have been tracking.

Ake has played quite a bit in midfield at Watford, CB at Bournemouth and Left sided CB3 at Chelsea. He would be a very solid partner for Romeu. We should try and sign him anyway.

Club should tell VVD he will not be sold to another Premier club. Do him a favour. Either he plays here for us or loaned abroad for a big fee.

Hojbjerg played against Bournemouth, WBA and Middlesbrough and was dropped next game, Rodriguez scored against Middlesbrough and was dropped next game. After his display against Bournemouth Rodriguez deserved better than to be judged against Spurs in the 1-4 hammering and deserved a run. Not as if we were getting loads of goals. Puel was a poor manager and deserved the sack.

Rodriguez scored 2 and assisted the other, Clasie scored the only goal. Rodriguez played against Spurs and was dropped, Clasie was left out altogether.

The above is my answer, the club obviously agreed or they wouldn't have wanted him to change the way the team played and his refusal sealed his fate. It is not up to any manager how the team plays, it is up to the club to lay down their requirements and the manager delivers them. Puel was dogmatic and his way of playing didn't suit the players and barely achieved enough points. It was his second choice players that hauled our nuts out of the fire with victories that resulted in them being dropped. Eg Rodriguez v Bournemouth, Clasie v WBA.

I wonder will there now be a surge in season ticket sales, as those who didn't renew unless Puel was sacked, buy their seat. My mate renewed his this morning. I did mine before the deadline as I was convinced he was a goner.

He wasn't taken on because he was a nice person. As a football manager he unsuccessfully, fundamentally changed the way the team played, unsettled some players and made the team worse than the sum of the parts. His job was to do the opposite. I will remember the EFL Cup SF and Final as highlights but the other cup games were dross, the Euro campaign was a failure, the home league performances were dire and a total of 46 points was abysmal barely above the safety line of 40 points. Some players performed well in matches, won us games and were dropped for the favourites who then usually failed to perform, get a result or even score. I won't miss Claude Puel at all as our manager. It is up to the club to learn the lessons from and get in a manager in that provides the football style that suits the players we have and gets back to the team performance exceeding the sum of the parts again. Adkins, Poch and Koeman all to a lesser or greater degree provided this, Puel did not.

LLS still posts on here now and again.

And while we are at it get rid of that bloody dirge on match days.

Puel is now in the same situation as Koeman was last year, with the club not prepared to allow the manager to run his contract down and become a lame duck. They can hardly keep Puel as it would be a lame duck disaster waiting to happen.

One of the cabin staff I knew did it twice to different footballers. They must have been desperate as she wasn't even that attractive but an absolute tart.

Has over four years left. Going nowhere unless club agrees.

Les possibly confronted Virgil and got his evidence. Very difficult to cover up flight histories, passenger names because of security, a trail that would be very easy to follow. I suspect the apology is an attempt at damage control after the panic reaction of being caught whilst having already been banned for tapping kids for the academy. I doubt Saints asked for an apology as they are looking to make a point. Lambert admitted regular contact with Gerrard before he Lallana and Lovren left leaving a nasty taste. Then Clyne and Mane. I know we got good money but it was the way it was done at the time. VVD has over five years left on his contract and Bertrand over four years giving the club the decision. Liverpool may well now get charged. It's time they got their comeuppance. A few more need a lesson. The Sky money to everybody is a game changer.