Badger

Central Defence. NO EXCUSES.

Interesting analysis. One point though re their second goal, it was Bednarek who lost possession but when watching the highlights later the 'challenge' from Vestergaard was pretty weak as Firmino skipped past him. I'd apportion the blame for that goal to be with Bednarek (had that been Stephens there would be uproar) but it did highlight how frail we are at the back.

Sure that'll be available at Forest Green away in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Think one may be his brother (and manager) from a Youtube film I saw about him (0.28 on film). This is the link to the first of four:

We did need someone more capable of putting the ball in the net without doubt, so the signing of a striker was a sensible move, just hope Adams lives up to billing. However it was equally obvious the defence needed sorting, and ideally a full clear out. Never going to happen withour financial costraints, but a CB should have been ahead of Djenepo in the prioties. Looking at Brighton on MOTD the last night, noy only have they retained their main CB, Dunk, they've got a £20m CB on the bench. Not sure I'd blame Ralph for the squad, he was probably also expecting a greater change of playing staff, but again recruitment has been inadequate. Problem is historic due to Reed, and unfortunately Gao doesn't look like offering any remedy.

Sorry, no such quick remedy, there's another 36 instalments of this to go after Saturday.

Unfortunately don't think you can coach him head to feet co-ordination very easily. Sometimes you get the impression they are operating in different time zones.

but we've already seen an improvement between the sticks so some good has come from it..

Sharpe always came across as one the games nice blokes, who dealt with a personal family tragedy in a dignified way. Pleased for him, hope he does well this season, although not at our expense of course.

I wish they wouldn't ask such banal questions in these clips. "Well Kevin, can you just give us your opinion on this clip from yesterday's match and a monumental f^ck up by one of your new team mates in defence please ?" . That might have made it more interesting for a start.

Few observations from yesterday: Good day out, as often though spoiled by the match, 63 minutes onwards. Hoped we might have cleared the sh!t out over the summer instead of which it looked as if we'd merely raked it over to be left with the same festering steaming pile. Vestergaard comes across in the media and interviews as a decent bloke and I want him to come good, but in reality he's had regular chances and is a frequent liability. Stephens - how is he still with us ? - once again did his Bambi on ice routine. I've lost count of how often he or Hoedt are sprawling on their arse as an opponent has a run at goal. Up front Adams will have learnt that he's not going to be allowed the time and extra yard he had at his disposal in the Championship. As for Ings, Reed really did have his pants pulled down on that deal. We have to hope Ralph can get something out of this bunch,. There's always the January window.. although we'll probably still be paying ridiculous wages to players we can't give away. Atmosphere - good in the concourse but that seemed to vanish in the stands, although nothing to get excited about 63 minutes onwards..

Would have hoped this might have been sorted over the summer. Not sure how Ralph talking and 'sorting' now will make a difference when - Danso aside - he can only shuffle the same players.

I expect Niemi in his prime might have made a better attempt at it. We'll have to agree to differ over that goal then. I didn't comment on the 2nd goal, and wouldn't apportion blame on the GK for that, he was left woefully exposed By Vestergaard and Bertrand who appeared daydreaming as the bloke went between them. Totally agree about the issues in front of him. That said the GK situation doesn't fill me with confidence.

So you wouldn't consider a 15 year old might conceal a flare or anything which might be used by an older member of his group of friends once in the ground ?

I've yet to see anything in Gunn to support the view that's he's as good a prospect as Les Reed believed he was ( "he must be good if he's on City's books" ). Admittedly I didn't see his debut at Chelsea where he was praised by some on here, but from the games I've seen he's looked pretty average overall. In the last two league games Huddersfield and today he's cost us. FF would have been crucified for these performances. In the words of McEnroe, you cannot be serious... McCarthy on form is the safer option and should be back asap.

That's how I saw it. At the match it appeared the first squirmed through him.

It's one game this season, but it follows such a familiar pattern from last season. P!ss poor defending, defensive errors, even poor goalkeeping, falling apart after conceding. These problems were glaring last season yet we start this season in the same fashion and the same characters in the team.

At long last, a CB built like a brick sh!thouse with a bit of pace.

Says done deal: https://twitter.com/SquawkaNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Not sure how reliable a site though.

is he being walked out in front of the press at Potters Heron ? Can't think of another Kevin to have been signed from Germany. The name is indelibly printed in my mind as KK from that day in 1980. Or as 'my perfect cousin'.

Hope it's not a Toby type of loan then, with only a loose option to buy.

Very good. Got an original song for him at least.

last minute £50m bid for Redmond it is then.

wasn't the "black box" meant to identify these traits meaning we didn't end up with the kn0bheads ? Clearly overruled by Cortese to bring in Osvaldo, but I think many suggested Lemina was a bit of a loose cannon at the time (ie from his media presence , and the clip of him punching an opponent in the nuts).

Trouble is that there will be a fair bit of 'hiding' behind Reed's legacy for a year or so before we can make a judgement on the current regime. I'm with you that Wilson must share some of the responsibility for the poor identifying of targets and getting deals done, but in his defence he'd be working under Reed's guidance .