benjii

Yeah but our other midfielders make costly mistakes too. Lemina is most likely to allow us to play with forward impetus. No point picking him if he's not fit yet or still ill though.

It's fine to say the midfield didn't do it's job - and quite possibly true - but we got cut open by a goalkick on one occasion with the back line all over the place. The fact is, Yoshida has gone from third or fourth choice centre back to being on of our best players (not just at CB but in the whole team!). We have a serious lack of quality coupled with a lack of fighters and leaders.

The ticket point is an ongoing procedural issue so I agree that's worth looking at. I just feel asking about specific player-related decisions will be a waste of time. They aren't going to say, "yeah, Forster is ****e and god knows what we were thinking". They'll just say they did their best to tie players to long term deals, to keep the squad together, blah, blah, blah. If the forum is used to query specific transfer deals and contract decisions we won't learn anything at all as no one is going to throw someone under the bus or acknowledge there is a lack of leadership and direction. The best way to find out why it's gone tits up is to understand the constraints related to the Liebherr - Gao deal. IMO.

Mine not arrived yet either but the linked one has.

There's no point picking over past mistakes. I want information on what Gao's strategy is, why he bought the club and what investment he might make. I want a developing feeling within the club that fans aren't prepared to be taken for mugs indefinitely (even though lots are).

He's ****e.

Agree, although Gabbi really should have scored that chance in the first half.

Yeah, exactly. We identified a problem that needed fixing so critically that we let a dead-man walking joke manager blow £20m on it. And now we've got the same problems we had before then, plus Gallagher, who clearly seems to be rated below any of the others. We've signed a promising looking winger but seem determined to play without wingers. Great stuff.

When Yoshida came on he was immediately shouting at the others, pushing people forward, holding the line and generally giving some much needed leadership which was completely absent until then. Yoshi should be our captain. Back 4 with him and Vestergaard. Romeu and Lemina in front. Then Armstrong, Elyounoussi and Gabbi behind Austin or Long, depending on the opposition. Can't believe we've signed a winger as our main new attacker if we're going to play 352. Yesterday was complete crap.

Yeah, you could but it wasn't long ago we had a group of genuine quality players so it's a bit depressing.

"El-Whathisname". Stay classy, Alps.

McCarthy Targett Stephens Hoedt Bednarek Hojbjerg Romeu Long Austin Redmond None of them would look out of place in a Championship team. And that's why we will struggle.

Yep. Need to go to a back 4.

Crrraaaaappppp.

Yeah, he gives the ball away all the time. Poor today

Lots of responsibiltlity on Lemina and Armstrong to create something. I think our team is functional but unexciting. Could be a very boring season.

Lots of Germans in town. They seem to have gathered in The Spitfire. I wonder if they know.

Takes some doing with your seat belt on.

Good point. We need to respect all 24 genders equally.

Maybe a bit of forward planning though. Cedric has this season plus next under contract. We would be looking for him to sign an extension this summer or be sold by next summer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41011259 HTH

I think he had the highest dribble completion rate last year.

The Vag Man.

Just scored a screamer.

BINGO!