benjii

Southampton's Aubergine on the pitch and Guly's debut. Cracking day.

I do think teams could do more to defend these dynamically. Mixing things up would at least have the possible benefit of disrupting the attacker's preparation and making them think twice. For example, with the Kranjcar free kick (which was a dive and followed a clear push that should have resulted in an fk for us, but anyway.....) it was obvious he was taking it and it was obvious it would be a right footed right-to-left bender. Therefore the two people on the left of our wall were never going to do anything useful. They could drop back which then puts pressure on finding the top corner rather than just getting it "up and down".

Great thread. Never heard "celery".

Scout me up.

Do a quick fix on it?

I thought the point was that he was stood off the pitch with the physio. He could've just walked round the perimeter whilst Bertrand came on but he jogged back onto the pitch. Anyway, that aside, he was fantastic. Although he doesn't "bomb on" like Shaw (yet) he will make runs forwards when space opens up and what I particularly like is that when he gets near the box his delivery is not predictable. He doesn't just sling it in, he looks up and considers low balls, high balls, pull-backs etc. He plays like an experienced old pro which is probably one of the best compliments you can give a teenager. Our squad is so much deeper this season (other than GK) - I think it's going to be very interesting.

Does anyone still want a ticket? I have one for £11. Reply to this post with an email address and I'll get in touch. Can handover in Westminster area during day or at the ground before match. Cheers, Benjii

I have a spare ticket in Block 25 available for £11 (face value plus booking fee). If anyone wants it, they ought to reply, quoting this post, with an email address. Preferably one that looks legit and undodgy. I will email back to arrange handover. Benjii

Shaw is easily the best left back at Old Trafford and the treatment he is getting stinks, in my opinion. He is one of a very rare breed: an English footballer who could be world class. I don't much care though.

I'd make a couple of changes for this but not too many. I'd like to give Long a game in the central role and I'd also start with Mane. Long could do with a goal and if anything were to happen to Pelle with Gallagher still out we would be pretty reliant on him to play that role so it's a good chance to see how he does. I assume Aldeweireld and JWP are out. ------------------------Forster---------------------- Clyne------Fonte-------Gardos------Targett -------------------------Victor------------------------ --------------Cork-------------Davis--------------- ----Tadic--------------------------------Mane----- --------------------------Long---------------------- Bench: KD, Yoshida, Bertrand, Morgan, Reed, Pelle, McQueen/Isgrove/Mayuka Actually, I'd be tempted with a bit of Josh Sims on the bench unless McQueen, Isgrove or Mayuka have been impressing lately. I'd probably remind Davis that Cork, Morgan and Vic have all scored already this season as well.....

What a load of rubbish. GK - same. CB - assuming Gardos is better than Hooiveld we have more depth at CB. RB - Clyne/Chambers, Clyne/TA = same. LB - Shaw/Targett, Bertrand/Targett - same but with Targett a year stronger. CM - same. Striker - last season it was Lambert or Gallagher (Osvaldo for a short period). This season Pelle, Long or Gallagher could play the central role so probably stronger given Osvaldo's limited shelf life. Attacking midfielder / wing - Lallana, Ramirez, Rodriguez vs. Tadic, Rodriguez, Mane, Long. Unless Mane turns out bad we should be stronger, especially as Gaston is never fit.

I think Bony's first challenge should have been a straight red. He took Yoshi out in mid air quite deliberately. That's a red card in rugby FFS as it can cause spinal injuries. As for Fonte: first challenge wasn't a foul. Second one probably was because their player had to take evasive action but it was an attempt to play a loose ball, not a cynical foul, and there was no contact so ref quite entitled not to book him.

Just hope you never have a serious problem with BT because their customer service is diabolical. I've always found Sky pretty good.

If I go on holiday to Turkey in a couple of weeks is some beardy, "I'm defending Islamic brothers, isn't it", going to try to kidknapp me? I'm thinking attacks in/on Turkey are unlikely as they would be likely to push Turkey into US coalition. Is that sound logic and, more importantly, do the beardies ever do logic?

I see George Galloway claims that the SNP has had him booted off Question Time tomorrow night.

Hopefully Janmaat does what he's just done for Netherlands....

Thing is, if Hodgson doesn't rate Clyne for some reason then so be it but Chambers is a much better RB than Stones as well.

Bearsy, I love you.

He looks like he could be seriously good.... Hope he keeps progressing well.

Saw this last night. You would actually be in real fear for your life. Genius but quite cruel!

Do this: -----------------------Forster---------------------- Clyne---------Fonte-------Aldeweireld-------Bertrand ----------------------Morgan----------------------- -------------Davis-------------JWP---------------- ---------Tadic--------------------------Mane------- -----------------------Pelle------------------------- bench: Boruc, Yoshida, Targett, Wanyama, Cork, Long, Gallagher/McQueen/Isgrove Tough on Yoshida as he's been good this season but I would hope that Aldeweireld is a step up and has been signed, as Koeman alluded to, for more than his defensive qualities so it makes sense to get him in. I would let Gardos start in the League Cup with Fonte and leave him out for now. With a home match against Toon I would throw Mane straight in. I view Long as cover for Pelle or as a player whose work and commitment provides an extra defensive element out wide/up front when needed but I think Koeman wants to grow the team with a proper direct ball carrier on one flank, swapping with Tadic. Against poor teams we could play Tadic at the top of midfield with Mane, Pelle and Long/Jay Rod as well. One thing that is clear is that we now have great strength in depth and loads of options as to how we shape up in each match. Forster (Boruc) Clyne (Toby) Bertrand (Targett) Fonte (Yoshida) Toby (Gardos) Schneiderlin Wanyama Davis / JWP / Cork / Reed Tadic / Mane / Rodriguez / Long / Isgrove Pelle / Long / Gallagher It would be a worry if Tadic got crocked but everywhere else that is probably the strongest Saints squad I've seen and still lots of youngish players. Ten English there, out of 24 (and two from the island of Ireland). i'm feeling optimistic!

Well, then it can't be an option. If it's not enforceable it's not an option.

5live just reported this as done.

He's been pulled by the club!

Quality away day. Rough East End boozer for a few then to the match which was, apart from their goal and one other scramble from a free-kick, basically a **** take.