Lallana's Left Peg

From Sky Sports website:

Never seen him play, and I'm surprised so many on here appear to know him so well

I think the formation is different when Mane plays as the 'one' behind the striker to the point he is a forward who plays off Pelle and the wide players start wider, but it is a 4-2-3-1 when it is JWP or Davis behind Pelle as they play deeper and the wide players play further forward in support. My impression from watching us is that Mane plays further forward and doesn't drop as deep, whereas JWP and Davis most definitely do.

If I was going to play Caulker in any game, it would be Vitesse, but personally I'd play him in neither and stick with Fonte and Yoshida. I think it is in midfield and up front we may need more rotation. I like the idea of Long in this away game for his work rate and pace on the break.

Pace isn't just about running onto the ball, it is also about how quickly you can move when you have it. I think Juanmi will be charged to be the creative output as well as Tadic when we have to break down a defence. Mane is a bit mental as well so his unpredictability will help with that. I think we'll be just fine this season - remember even the top teams struggle against teams who sit deep and it is only the very very top players who often unlock them (Silva, Hazard etc.) which are out of our range so I think we're set just right all things considered.

I agree with most of what you said but I disagree with this. The whole 'it's not your money' argument doesn't mean anything because it's like because you personally don't spend it on a player you can't judge a player against the fee paid for him. In which case we can't say Osvaldo was a waste of money, and we can't say Fonte was amazing value - except they were. And getting a bigger fee for Wanyama does help in replacing him, as we have more money, which gives you more ability in the market. That a players contract duration impacts their fee so much is annoying, but that is life. It's just worth remembering we also benefit from it as much as we are victims of it!

To be fair, I think Watford and Norwich aside, that rings true for a yellow kit too. And I don't know about marketing but is that true - that something worn more gets purchased more? I personally think something nice would be more likely purchased.

FM uses unpaid volunteers on a per club basis to have input on player ratings and accuracy of staff etc. It's clever from them and I am sure MLG doesn't really feel like it is a job - and one that he enjoys. If you play the game then you can see why someone would like doing it.

We've a few players out on loan already, and this likely to increase as the summer goes on therefore I thought I'd start a thread where we can track them all as the season goes on. Confirmed Loans: Sam Gallagher (MK Dons, Championship, Season-Long) Jack Stephens (Middlesbrough, Championship, Season-Long) Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town, League 1, Season-Long)

According to this: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-digest-last-time-9782674 Doesn't say whether he is scouting teams or players, or what age group, but thought I'd post it. EDIT: Steven Pressley.

Ah in which case I misread! Just checked the planner again and they are indeed showing both games on BT sport. Lets hope we don't get Garry Preston commentating on our game

They did. But when I checked my planner this morning it was still saying it was showing the West Ham game.

I haven't seen him play much but my Celtic supporting friend says he is good and also said that Saints scouts (or representation for Saints) have been at most of Celtic's home games this past year so I would imagine we have built quite a report on him by this stage.

That's only just over £10m - easily within our reach presuming we're happy to offset transfer fees against future revenue and are no longer insistent that purchases AND wages must be covered by transfer fees received.

Doubt the delay would be our end.

I have a feeling the price and timing of him leaving Celtic (to whatever club) will be wholly dependent on Celtic's CL status come the last week of August.

I think Wickham could be a half-decent signing for them if he can stay fit. I would imagine he is the Glenn Murray (31) replacement, but he'll do well to replicate his effectiveness and strike rate.

If Fer joins Sunderland he could achieve the magical Premier League relegation 'three-peat'.

Fan matches aren't that popular, you'll easily be able to get a ticket.

When we don't have the ball I think it is, when we have the ball it is more fluid but the principle behind the formation as I see it is to have Mane floating behind Pelle in a far more advanced role than any player may be in a 4-2-3-1. But Davis and Tadic were definitely wide midfielders in a flatter midfield four for a lot of the game. I see it as a 4-4-1-1 more than a 4-2-3-1, as we just wouldn't play Davis on the right like that.

We played it Thursday night and have played it a few times last season (Chelsea away in particular) when we wanted Mane up front when we didn't play three at the back. I believe we'll be seeing it a lot more this season too if Mane keeps this form up.

I would expect a centre-back, and if available, a right-midfielder. If we continue to play 4-4-1-1 this season to get the most out of Mane then we need a right midfielder as the only player we have who can play there (at a stretch) is Davis he isn't too comfortable there.

Steve - I away the weekend of the Watford game but should be about for the West Brom game. Will ask others too if you're short?

Strange decision to start Davis ahead of Gazza. I don't really get it.

He likely won't grow taller but he can work on his core strength and maybe his general size. Without pace nor strength you really do limit your opportunities in the Premier League if you also don't have the agility or skill to give yourself time when you have the ball. JWP is clever at making space to receive the ball, but when he has it he often has to release it before he is closed down as he won't be beating anyone with the ball nor shielding it too well with his frame. I think he is a very good footballer, he needs time. The question is whether he'll get that on the pitch given our progress as a club recently.