S-Clarke

Seriously? He was a shambles. He made Adebayor look like Bale.

I don't buy it to be honest. He just lacks the basics in every single department. I expect any keeper to have some sort of command of an area, or some natural judgement to know when to stay or come. He doesn't have it, and he never will.

"In the second half we dressed up as Santa Claus and gave them many presents. We made many mistakes and when you make these mistakes, you are punished. We are obviously very angry.

It's no surprise that teams easily slice through the middle of us now.

Weird post. What's he supposed to do? Magic away the injuries to Boruc, Fonte, Shaw, Wanyama, Clyne? The squad isn't deep enough, and we've been punished for it at a time where we play all the big teams. We have to grin and bear it, as we don't have the squad to manage an injury crisis like this.

He can't help it, he's a decent enough bloke, but he's simply not close to being good enough for this level. We cannot progress any further than we are with him and Jos as backup, that's the blunt reality. They need to be replaced sharpish. Thanks for their time and service, but time to move on...s

If we don't sign a new CB in January then the talk of us doing anything this year (i.e ''it's happening'') is nothing but utter waffle.

I don't think you can say he's our best option, I'd be tempted to throw Croper in there. Or heck, even Toni Jimenez. He's that bad, he's not going to develop in my opinion. I see nothing in his game which suggest he's going to make a decent player, absolutely nothing. Even Lovren looked at him on a few occasions today with the expression of ''WTF?''. Zero command, zero strength, zero reading of the game, cannot save a thing.....bizarre lack of attributes for a goalkeeper.

Anyone would have looked class up against Jos today.

I thought we were atrocious today, but let's be honest - it's not really much of a surprise is it?? You cannot expect to get results in the PL when you have to start with Gazzainga, Jos and Fox in the defense. And to then add on horrendous displays by Lambert and Jay Rodriguez, we've not got a hope in hell. We were always going to have a spell like this, and our fixtures in recent weeks have kind of compounded things a little bit more. But overall, a club like us at this moment in time cannot absorb injuries to key players. I think table wise, we're there or there abouts for where we are. We're not anywhere near top 6, or top 4, we never were. A full 11 without injuries and suspensions - maybe, but a season doesn't work like that. Onto the next one then. No idea what to expect, we're going through a patch, let's not meltdown though.

Pretty horrific player, to be honest. I think MP will shortly be reassessing January plans. We cannot go on with him as backup. You cannot have a weakness like him in the championship, let alone the premier league.

Ah, cool. I've missed that Fox and Jos combo.

But you also need to look at who we've played, and how we've performed in those games. The injuries hit us at a time whereby we played Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Newcastle all in quick succession - but performance levels have stayed pretty consistent. Sunday's game will be a good indicator, but in terms of coping - the performances have maintained a decent level, which in the long-term is a good sign that we'll be on track again shortly.

Agree, think we have coped a lot better than I thought we would. Depth looks a little better than I thought a few weeks ago, that's for sure. And a really good addition to the debate by The Kraken, zzzz indeed.

The next Blackburn. Venky's MK2

I believe you're lost. Just google skatesonline, you'll find your home.

Ah, welcome back 100_percent.

Blimey, didn't realise he was only 26. Thought he was much older. Wouldn't say no, would futureproof that position for a good few years. Good keeper.

That's quite incredible!

For some reason, people bash and question Cortese, but just a quick read of that and also a read of the Hull City stuff, makes you realise that we are one bloody fortunate club.

Ummm, why would we release a statement?

Been fully ruled out that we're not after him now.

Probably on 30+ points, up there with Chelsea, Arsenal etc. He's the sort of player that could make a hell of a difference for us in terms of final third creativity.

One of the names linked is Franco Baldini, and to all purposes he's been signing all their players anyway! He was assistant coach with Capello for England, so could see him taking charge until the New season with maybe Capello for next season, and Franco Baldini standing in as his assistant. I certainty don't see MP going anyway. Just bloody frustrated that once again, we will probably have to face that bloody new manager syndrome. How many times have we been dealt that hand in the last few years???

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a caretaker in charge of their next game going by this...!