benjii

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.

You thought it "couldn't get worse" when we got promoted consecutively and looked to be staying up in our first season in the PL? How extraordinary.

If you're going to go somewhere as awful as the East End you should go all in and head to a disgusting and rough boozer, not mince about a Wetherspoons in the deserted City or cower by Waterloo until the last minute. Get down Green Street / Barking Road and obtain a macabre social insight that will, ukrimately, remind you how lucky you are.

I don't think Koeman was saying he had never heard of Cerci. He was saying he hadn't heard of any rumours that the questioner was alluding to. The whole thing was rather confused by the questioner mispronouncing the name several times and Koeman not having a clue what the prat was going on about. He then decided to ask a question about Wayne Rooney and another about Neil Warnock FFS! Either way, I don't think we're after Cerci.

Would be gutted. I'd rather sell Morgan.

Then you really have no clue what you're watching I'm afraid.

Although Gaston wasn't on for long he looked raring to go. Every time he got the ball he surged forwards. If Tadic is going to be used predominantly as a "winger" then Gaston will have an important role to play as the link man. We were crying out for him against West Brom. There are obviously some matches where having three "battlers" in midfield is desirable but against the more limited sides, and particularly when we have deeper midfielders as good as Vic, Morgan and Cork, there's definitely space for him to create an impact.

Yep, and Cops America next summer.

It rhymes better with "div", which, in your case, is more apposite.

I thought Yoshida was pretty good yesterday. Ideally, we sign a player who is decent at RB or CB and then that's the defence sorted with decent depth in all positions. All we really need then is an attacking player who can carry the ball at pace. Not too fussed if Morgan leaves. Wanyama is really growing into an exceptional player and if Morgan moves on it'll give JWP and Taider a chance to develop in a more natural position than being shoe-horned into a top-of-the-triangle/wide role.

And Scot McDonald.

I would rest Clyne, Wanyama, Tadic and Forster as we don't have any real cover for them and they are key players. It would also be good for Gardos to play. So I would pick: Davis (i assume Boruc will be at home) Cork, Gardos, Yoshida, Bertrand, Schneiderlin Taider, Ward- Prowse Long, Pelle, Isgrove Bench: Forster, Font, Stephens, Davis, McQueen, Mayuka, Reed