S-Clarke

That's usually a tell-tale sign of a player not quite good enough for the level he's in. In the SPL he looked better as he had more time, his lack of pace wasn't exposed. At this level he won't get the time he needs and his lack of pace is exposed by even a slightly quick opposing player. Exactly the same could be said for Redmond as well (in respect of needing more time on the ball), I'm sure if he was thrown into the SPL he'd absolutely rip it up I'm not denying he's improved, he has a tiny bit, but fundamentally he will never cut it at this level as his game is not suited. Another Wilson fail. We need a flush of all our 'number 10's' and to start again.

First half we should have created more opportunities, given the dominance we had over the ball. Not enough clear cut created really for all the possession we had. It kinda felt inventible that the second half would go that way. But a really shit second half, as bad as we have played for a long, long time. No idea, no shape, no plan. Zilch. The subs and shape changes confused things even more, I had no idea what we were trying to do come the end. Broja did not get into the game at all, I can't even remember him having a touch. Theo is just done as a pro, we all know that - and have for ages. Nothing to really debate there. McCarthy shocking for the first goal, but defensively very weak on both - second one I had no idea who should have been marking who there, Lyanco just seemed to walk away from the ball. All very bizarre. All in all, we've had a decent run. We were due a clusterfuck of a result and here it is. This is what mid-table teams do, no point getting too down about it.

Appreciate your posts Minsk. The head to head comparison improvement is good to see really, given the teams we've faced so far. That shows we're on the right course I think.

I know it's an incredibly simple thing to say, but maybe not having Vestergaard turning like an oil tanker and a disinterested/legs gone Bertrand actually improved us defensively? I'm sure Leicester are enjoying our loss. The recovery pace Salisu has provided has made so much difference and provides a lot more security to the rest of the team. I want a defender to be able to defend, not ping a cross field ball.

Cracking finish for that goal tonight, looks like he's settled to life at international level. Nice to see two Saints lads linking up as well. Definitely a bit of a golden period for Scotland, they should make the most of it after many decades in no mans land!

Good passer he may be, but as a defender he is truly shit.

Every single one of your points can be put down to squad depth. ''Too inflexible tactically'' - didn't have the right mix of players to do anything radically different. ''Too slow with substitutions'' - he turned around and saw N'Lundulu, Valery, Watts and Obafemi on the bench and probably thought what's the point. ''Picked the wrong side too many times'' - What with injuries and suspensions he was having to play with numerous squad pegs in round holes to get us through games. It's amazing how he's suddenly better with substitutes now he has viable options to choose.

Sorry, I'm already looking ahead to the next game!!

Well, it certainly has. Whilst we didn't get wins from our first 7...we still looked fairly competitive I felt, so our confidence hadn't been dented too much - that allowed us to hit these fixtures with our normal bounce and enthusiasm. Still a long way to go - but if we beat Norwich, we may be 10 points + away from the bottom 3 going into December. That'll may close up a bit in December due to the fixtures...but it'll put us in a really strong position for the second half of the season.

The first half was excellent, but once again we struggled to create clear cut opportunities for the likes of Armstrong and Adams. Armstrong's finish was class, but you wouldn't count that as a clear cut opportunity - it was a speculative effort which he took superbly, so I still want to see more from the 10's in terms of creating. We had all the game, we controlled the middle of the park with ease...but none of that matters if we don't get enough goals, as teams always come back into the game. ...As we saw in the 2nd half. It was inventible that they'd get better and we were certainly pinned back at the start of the second half, at a point it was relentless and it didn't look sustainable - so Ralph changed it. From that moment on, we still didn't regain full control...but we snuffed out Norwich and nullified their tactical changes they made at HT, so from there on in it was a bit huff and puff and Villa struggled to get in behind like they were. We still had a decent chance in the 2nd half too, with Adams header...but it was a decent save by their keeper. Overall it was very positive in the fact that we kept a clean sheet, we weathered the storm and we have it about us to change our approach when it was clear we were being outnumbered - that's a massive positive for me. MOTM for me was JWP, Salisu not far behind...but he needs to cut out those sloppy blind back passes. He didn't even look before he passed back on a couple of occasions, he's got a casual way about his game that needs to be coached out slightly as everything else is top notch. Great run of form though, we needed this. We had a shitty start in terms of the teams we played but even in those games I always felt we were competitive (Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, WHU etc). The only downer was probably Wolves at home...but overall, based on the fixtures we've had....you cannot now argue with our start, it's very solid.

But as everyone has said, to his credit, he actually improved us when he came on and provided a threat. He wasn't that bad tonight at all.

I hope this isn't another 'after-the-lord-mayors-show' game for us, like what happened in the league game following our quality display at Man City. I don't think the team is set in stone, Ralph will have seen quite a few interesting options from tonight - Lyanco being number 1. I'm a bit bored with Bednarek's weekly defensive disaster shows. JWP starts for Diallo, or he'll find a way for Diallo to play with Romeu and JWP...but JWP will be back in 100% Broja starts for sure, then it's a bit of a miss-mash as to who starts alongside or a little deeper as the rest of our attack is a much of a muchness. I just hope Theo stays away.

Bit harsh. I can't say I've seen enough of him to form a solid opinion either way, but based on the bits I've seen over the years he seems like an advanced midfielder - someone who plays on the edge of the box, or inside forward. Good touch, can pass. Definitely worth a place in the squad.

Yeah, this is where I'm at. I feel quite sad watching him because he's just not there anymore, he's never recovered from the injury he had in the middle of last season for whatever reason. He's lost his pace and his finishing/touch is still as erratic as it ever was, so he's pretty useless nowadays. I never saw the sense of signing him on a perm, was nothing more than a club PR bit of a business. I'm not sure why Ralph went along with it, as we've now filled the squad with someone paid quite well, who isn't capable of impacting this level.

I'd be better there than Walcott.

His second half showing was better imo.

In all seriousness, what's your view on the game? All I ever see you do is attack posters with childish comments. You probably have some decent views and opinions, but they're lost in your continuous belittling of others.

Agreed, he put in a good shift when he came on and the game actually turned. He kept the Chelsea defenders occupied and played on the shoulder really well. Won the ball back and played a great ball to Smallbone who had a great chance.

Yeah, Diallo was excellent. He's got stronger, which allows him to hold off the opponent with his upper body and use his agility to turn on the ball. He's always been quite a skilful player, but he's added a bit more steal to his game now. Wonder if there is a way we can get Diallo, JWP and Romeu in the same team - stick Diallo in a more attacking role.

Nah, didn't think he played well there really. Whenever we were attacked he was pulled all over the place, got caught way too up field on a few occasions as well. He covered well, but as a 'centre half' . no. please, never again.

My MOTM tonight, looked good on the ball, good in the air and a nice turn of pace about him as well. Defo cult hero vibes with his 'passion' and his leave everything on the pitch attitude. He's probably prone to some calamities along the way as he plays on the edge, but that was a good showing.

Second half was excellent, we had much more control over the game and probably had the better chances to win it in the end. Long actually came on and helped us stretch the game a little in the end. Less said about Theo the better, needs to retire and someone close to him needs to have an honest word with him. It's like prolonging a dead horse. Overall though a good effort, just the luck of the draw on penalties really. Lyanco my MOTM.

Really frustrating, as we've played the game plan well - the counter press, the winning the ball back well enough. But the final third is beyond inept, let's be honest. The final pass is either the wrong pass or misplaced, or the touch of Adams or Tella is just too heavy and it gets away from them. It's like a little lower league team against a bigger side, we're huffing and puffing and giving a good account but we don't have anywhere near the right level of quality to hurt them.

He may have looked interesting at CB in training, but that's because he's defending against Redmond/Moussa/Theo/Elyonoussi etc. Put him up against decent footballers and it will be a massacre, it's not even in the realms of 'give him a chance', he shouldn't get a chance to play at CB because he's not a defender let alone a CB. Insanity if he's there.

You'd have got Damari Gray or Townsend for nominal/no fee's, and significantly lower wages too. Wouldn't have shed a tear if we let Theo go back to Everton and we'd brought in Townsend on a freebie, or Gray for £1m. But the club didn't want to lose the PR opportunity I don't think.