Saint Pete

Redmond excellent again so far. Keep feeding him. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I don't believe there are police around the grounds actually counting up how many people enter the stadium or populate their seats! It's much more likely they request that info from the clubs to help them plan their resources for policing games. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

You would really bench Hojbjerg after his performance at Palace? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I would go with Gabbiadini as if we can get the best out of him it would be a massive boost to us. In theory at least you would think Ings and Gabbi could be a good combo. Austin and Gallagher both decent options off the bench. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Absolutely. It’s only those with a pre-defined hatred of Hughes who are unable to accept it. We are far from perfect and there’s many aspects of our play that need improving, but at least under Hughes you feel like more is being done to address our weaknesses and there’s no doubt that the spirit being shown on the pitch by the players is better, and has been even in the games we’ve lost.

When push comes to shove he needs to be playing first team football and this will give him a better chance of doing that. I still think he has a chance of making it in the prem and a good spell with Boro may help him. He has been criticised for the defensive side of his game so you would hope that Pulis may improve him in that regard. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Looks like a good move for him. Will be interested to see how he goes with a team challenging at top end of table. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

There's clearly something odd going on with Yoshida. Either - Hughes thinks he's not fit enough yet - There's been some kind of falling out - There's a move in the offing abroad - Hughes just doesn't fancy him and genuinely thinks Hoedt and Stephens are better options Points 3 and 4 would be the most worrying in terms of Hughes's judgement! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

1-1 full time. Great performance from Wolves, would have been massively harsh if Aguero free kick had won it for City at the end. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

So what is going on with Yoshida? Anyone know? Not even in the squad. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Impressed with Wolves so far, think they will stay up quite comfortably this season. Good to see a team playing positively against City and landing some punches of their own. They will likely still lose today though! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That assumes someone decent is going to want him. Based on what he has shown since he's been with us I can't believe that's the case at the moment. I don't think any of our players should be happy with finishing 17th but players like Hoedt need to accept it's the way they have played that's contributed to that and that they have to do better! If he's not doing that, Hughes should take him out of the squad and play someone else. I would much rather see Yoshida or Bednarek in the first team that him personally. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Look, I don’t agree with the selection today, especially at centre back. But calling for the managers head after 1.5 games of the season is ****ing ridiculous irrespective of the score today.

Defensive problems, with Stephens and Hoedt at centre back. Who could have anticipated that?

I would rather have Bednarek in than Hoedt, but more confused about Yoshida being left out to be honest.

Do you think it’s a good idea playing Stephens and Hoedt at centre back in a 4 man defence?

Well in fairness we know at least 3 of those are not fully fit.

Anyone know why Yoshida is not getting picked? Fitness concerns after World Cup? If not for fitness reasons, I don’t get how anyone can think Stephens and Hoedt are a better bet in centre defence than Yoshida, very odd. The midfield boys are going to need to have a very good day to protect that defence, but feel we could be a threat going forward with this line up. Hopefully JWP can help get better service to Austin so may see more of him this week.

As long as he doesn't say "We are growing" after every defeat or "A draw is as good as a win", I'll be fine with Sparky's excuses.

Yep, McCarthy for me - without his saves in the earlier part of game, we'd have lost. Good performances later on from others, but McCarthy MoM for overall impact on result.

Yep, good post. I don't understand why some are so quick to write off the one striker we have who has a consistent goalscoring record throughout his career. If he gets decent service he will score, simple as that. You can criticise his fitness, but not his goalscoring ability which is better than any other striker at the club, no question. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, agree Everton will be a tougher proposition this time around. I just don't agree with some that 3 at the back is necessarily a total lost cause that should never be considered in any scenario from now on. It probably wasn't the best formation for Burnley at home but could be of use against teams with more attacking threats. Also, I don't think the change in formation was the only reason for our improvement in second half, it was also the changes in personnel, with more dynamic sharper players coming on. That said, at this point I would go with a 4231 for Everton as it allows us to carry the impetus of that last half hour into this game more easily. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Strange comment. Sounds like you want Ings to fail just so you can slag Hughes off again? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We played with 3 at the back at Everton in May and were seconds away from getting a win. Just saying. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Austin will score. Strange that Yoshida is missing so assume he has an injury or is not considered fit enough yet? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk