Lighthouse

We managed the second best defence in the Europa League without him, after Shalke, I believe. Only conceded 8 in the 12 games Yoshi has played in all comps. We've yet to concede more than 1 goal in a game Fonte was ABSENT from.

I like Bournemouth and want them to do well. If I could chose the top 3, they'd be 3rd behind us and Burnley. As such I don't consider them a rival and beating them means less than any of the big teams, plus Everton.

I've seen very little talent or ability from him TBH. Nothing beyond being a very average lower league 'keeper.

I agree with that line up but I suspect it will be Redmond, not Tadic.

None of what I've posted is stupid, you've just clearly failed to grasp any of it. The Rodriguez/Mané comparison was a simple observation and a reality check for everyone asking where we'd be if we still had Mané. All you've done there is back up my point by proving J Rod spent less time on the pitch. We need somebody to rotate with J Rod but it needn't necessarily be Long. I'd rather have someone good because I personally fail to see what Long offers other than running. We don't play a high tempo, chasing game so him running around on his own doesn't really do much.

International is a bit of a loose term though isn't it. I think by some statistical comparisons, Stern John is the greatest international player of all time. All you're really saying is that he good enough to get into a squad with Kevin Doyle and Simon Cox. Also, what is form for Shane Long? In 5.5 years in the Prem he's only managed on average 7 goals a season. Even in the Championship he only managed double figures once. Rodriguez had been steadily improving right up until his injury and was a far better player than Long has ever been.

For all the talk of goal scorers, Austin's injury and J Rod's fitness issues there is another elephant in the room. Long hasn't scored this season and aside from last year has never been much more than a 5 or 6 goal a year man. People say he's not 'that kind of player', whatever that means but I'm not really sure what he offers. Redmond, Boufal, J Rod and Sims all offer decent movement upfront. What we lack is a physical Lambert, Pelle, Beattie type of forward.

We'd be mental to turn that down and they'd be mental to offer it.

9 for J Rod 17 for Mané

J Rod now has as many league goals by Xmas as Mané did last season.

I've got a 'one goal will open the floodgates' feeling about J Rod. He's getting in the right places, he's 99% there.

Hojbjerg with one of those Wanyama moments.

Oh yes, that'll do!

Futurama on Sky 1 at the mo, just saying.

Well, he does play for us TBF.

I suspect he is being bullied at school and comes on here to vent, don't be too harsh on him.

Yes, that's the whole point

Yoshi has been easily as good as Fonte this season, who already played midweek. The goals will come eventually for J Rod, I'm not sure who you'd rather play instead.

Didn't we sell them Rory Delap?

Before you despair too much, please reread the bit in bold.

Rickie was over the hill 3 years ago and has done bugger all since he left. He is a Championship standard player now and the crowd would be far from excited watching him plod around after the shadows of opposing players.

You're thinking of another south coast team.

Well, you could just live without one mate

I'd much rather get rid of Long than J Rod in January, as the former has always been a distinctly average player. J Rod has shown signs recently of being back on form and has been very close to 3 goals against Prague, Boro and Stoke.

Lucky for you it's not for sale.