Dark Munster

Ridiculous. Either have away goals count double after 90 minutes, or don't do it at all. If the score is 2-1 or 3-2 to Liverpool after 90 minutes at Anfield, and they go on to win after extra time with another goal, I'm going to be really pissed off. Almost as pissed off as I will be if we don't get a striker in during this window.

That really is the difference isn't it, not just tonight but this season. With a quality striker we would probably have won by 2 or more, with half foot into Wembley, not to mention very probably still in the EL and further up the table. All the crap about the squad not being good enough, and Puel not having a clue. We are one quality striker away from a very good team (and manager I believe). Over to you Mr. Reed.

Puel out!

Thanks Sue for prodding us awake from a 3 day slumber. That must be a new record, and quite frankly unacceptable. It won't happen again.

Bloody ridiculous. Unless California secedes of course, in which case I'm 100% on board. If they are going to do this, at least avoid groups with an odd number of teams, otherwise we'll get a load of Austria vs. Germanys. FFS, with even numbers they still make sure all teams in a group play their final matches simultaneously. That's rather difficult with 3 teams in a group, unless they plan to have all 3 on the same pitch in the final match. 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each going through. The 8 best first-placed finishers get a bye into round two of the knockout stage, with the remaining 16 playing each other in round one of the knockout stage.

Very true. He has to put them away afterwards.

Maybe, but I'd rather go into the second leg one goal up than 2-0 up. Everyone knows that's the most dangerous lead.

And only one but.

Wenger has bigger fish to fry, with the league and CL. So I reckon he'll field the reserves against Norwich.

I find that impossible to believe. Mind you, I found it impossible to believe Leicester would win the league, or the orange lunatic would be elected president of the USA.

Apart from a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net.

Hopefully he'll be fit for the first leg on Wednesday.

Good question.

I think we all agree on this. Except possibly Reed and Puel. Anyway, the good news is we got 2 goals today, so hopefully this will kickstart our strikers' season and boost their confidence. Oh, wait ...

Solent taters talking about the draw for the next round.

Dave: "We have to see this game out."

Even if he's developed into a wanker?

I wasn't particularly wanting us to sign him (the only way to prise him from Sunderland would be to offer silly money), but rather an acknowledgement from the manager that they are actively looking for a striker. I know the club likes to do things quietly, but they didn't address this in the summer, and Puel has said he's happy with the squad. Anyway, hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised before the window slams shut. If not, the cat's being thrown across the room. If I had one.

Indeed, him selling Mane, Pelle and Big Vic was a big mistake.

Ok, I changed it a little. But wouldn't it be nice if we got a similar statement from our club?

Puel: We need a goalscorer Last Updated: January 5 2017, 19:31 GMT Claude Puel believes Jermain Defoe would be the answer to Saint's goalscoring problems. The Saints are understood to be trying to lure the striker to the club from Sunderland to boost their firepower. He may now be 34, but Defoe has shown he has lost none of his goalscoring prowess, having scored 11 times for struggling Sunderland already this season. Puel said: "The chairman is trying really hard to get some players, if it's going to be possible, in positions we think we need. I'm not going to talk about names in public. "(Defoe) has the things that are the most important in a football games - that's goals. He scored them last season, he was probably the main reason they stayed up, and then he continues to do the same this season, scoring again. "In every game he is having chances and most of the chances he is converting into goals. He is an excellent player, of course." Another forward on Puel's radar is Brentford hot-shot Scott Hogan, who has hit 14 goals in the Championship this term. "Scott is a good player, I've watched him a few times," added Puel. "He is scoring goals, he is very sharp, very quick, and a really good finisher. He does it in the Championship. He is really young, a really good prospect. Read more at http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/10718601/jermain-defoe-is-proven-goalscorer-and-we-need-more-says-west-ham-boss-slaven-bilic

Don't forget his great engine.

That's part of what makes a goal-scoring striker a goal scorer: being in the right place at the right time. It's not just being a good finisher when chances arrive, it's the instinct to be there when they do. That's what we are clearly lacking. Have to disagree. If we had a natural predator I doubt CP would instruct him to avoid going into the box. Of course, I may be wrong, in which case Puel out!

Call me an idiot, but I blame the lack of goal-scoring strikers. We've had plenty of shots. Our conversion rate is crap. A midfielder who scores plenty would be great, but the first priority is a striker who scores plenty.