S-Clarke

Just a case of how many they get. Definitely positive goal difference has been wiped away now. Stupid by Jankewitcz. Not sure what was going through his head. Seemingly nothing. Worst period we've had for at least a year. We're due a run/spell like this. Luckily we already have 29 points

BT Sport 1.

Probably as balanced a lineup we could field. Not as many 'square pegs' as I was fearing. Let's just see what happens. If we still have a + goal difference at the end of this evening then it's a job well done as far as I'm concerned.

It's an interesting topic, it does feel as if our youth setup has regressed. Even the teams (U23's/U18's) aren't great and certainly aren't amongst the best of the bunch in the age groups anymore. Whilst the number of academy graduates who go on to play first team football is very small, as SuperSaint points out, you do expect to see at least 1 or 2 who look suited and ready to make it. But in times like these, there is often someone who comes from nowhere in a young age group and makes a break through. I'm looking at the likes of Jankewitz and Watts...maybe. But yeah, it feels a bit bear. I don't think our academy ever benefited from the upgraded facilities of that of the first team, not sure if that's a reason - they're still based out of porter cabins I think. (Although we did alright before from porter cabins!)

Whenever we play a team who is depleted, we often fall flat on our arses. Hopefully it can work the other way.

Nah, won't be able to be involved tonight - wasn't registered in time. Prob bench for Newcastle. (or straight in...)

The prob with using Bertrand as the third CB is that you've then got to find someone for the left side and the right side. I wouldn't trust Moussa on either side to be honest, he's a terrible full back (as he should be, he's an unpredictable winger!)

Fairly sure he's out for this one, I heard Ralph mentioning Newcastle. We will have to limp through todays game with a 'close your eyes and take your pick' RB. I'd have suggested even going 3 at the back and playing more attacking wing backs, but we don't even have enough CB's for that.

He's struggled to get a run of games for Liverpool, but he's clearly a talented player. From his Salzburg days, he's a high energy, counter pressing attacking midfielder/wide player. Pretty much bang on the money in terms of the type of player we like. He will automatically add quality to our attack, no question. Liverpool fans are a bit mixed about him leaving, they'd have preferred us to have Origi.

Fuck me. And there was me feeling old about referring to Theo as an old head, and now that.

Not sure it's quite that extreme. We haven't had the 'long jam of strikers' line yet...!

Well, he seems to do better going backwards, so it may work.

Never been sure why he has such a love in with the media, he is totally clueless generally.

Don't we have to register our squad though...? Don't think we can register anyone else (even though we could sign a free). May be wrong.

Shows how little he is rated by Ralph. Leaves us incredibly short at full back, unless Ralph see's a lot more in training from Moussa...!

Not just me saying this and it hasn't ever just been me saying this.

That was already agreed and set in the contract when we got him on loan. That price was on the back of him not playing that often. If Minimino does well for us we are not getting him for £30m. And we won't be spending more than £15m on a player.

Not enough to buy Minimino.

That poss explains the urgency to bring in a new attacker.

Because we have no money.

No chance we'd be able to sign him. Just need to get the most out of him these 6 months!

Not really, fairly sure this is done and dusted with plenty of time to spare.

Cannot show any disappointment at the Minimino deal, he is a player so suited to the way we play. High energy attacking player, wide, or inverted. I'm still a little bit baffled at our failure to get a full back though, yet still keen to loan out our remaining full backs.

I still can't quite compute that he's an older head! It's still a bit WTF to me, I still remember his goal against Luton like it was yesterday.

Once we realise they don't accept dust from the back of the sofa, we'll pull out.