Cosmic

Out: Stek, Kelv, Caulker, Wanyama, Ramirez, Pelle In: Experienced & cheap back-up keeper, right back (depends on how the club views Soares' future), Wanyama replacement, wide player (hopefully two), and a striker (also dependent on Rodriguez). GK: Forster, Gazza, NEW RB: NEW, Soares LB: Bertrand, Targett CB: Fonte, VVD, Yoshida, Gardos DM: NEW, Romeu, Reed CM: Clasie, Davis RW: NEW, JWP LW: Tadic, NEW AM: Mane, Juanmi ST: Rodriguez, Long, NEW

He was if he'd hit it first time.

Cedric was poor today, but I still think he has decent potential. Comical five mins before half time was a shame as we'd done ok and been better side in first half. Wanyama seems to have thrown in the towel. Drop him and sell him.

How often do you make a post without referring to any of 'relegation', '40 points', 'main priority is EPL', or 'I'd be happy with 17th'...?!

Because the two 'outside' defenders are the ones more likely to be exposed against their pacey wingers, and Koeman didn't fancy seeing Bolasie give Fonte the runaround all afternoon - as he did for the goal.

This (like so many others) is a meaningless stat. It doesn't take into account what type of pass the player attempts. Centre backs often have a PC rate of 90% simply because they usually play short, simple passes. To be honest, if a midfielder has a very high PC rate, more often that not I take it as a sign that he doesn't show enough ambition or try to pass the ball forward enough. Four of the top nine in the PC stats this season are centre backs, and only one has either an assist or averages at least one key pass per game (both Cazorla). But yes, given that Wanyama usually tries to keep it very simple, 82% is pretty poor.

Er, why?

So, to sum up: Van Dijk (who's never played against Stoke) will snuff out their threat, but Wollscheid only having played against us once before means he won't have a clue what's going on. And you don't want Koeman to take the opposition into account when he selects his right back, but you do when he picks his central midfielder. Oh and I'm not quite sure who has been claiming that Butland is a weak leak. Most people have been saying that he has been keeping them in games.

Why?

Ferguson, Mourinho and Wenger were all unremarkable players. Maradona, Tony Adams, Gazza, Merson, Souness (maybe a bit harsh), Bobby Charlton, Gullit and Shearer were all great players but poor managers. A successful playing career earns you the respect of the dressing room when you first walk through the door - aside from that it's pretty irrelevant. Gomis; Montero + Sigurdsson; Williams. The majority of managers take their same 'mates' and backroom staff with them to every job they get these days. You could also say Beattie was a colleague of Monk's for many years, from whom Monk knew what he'd be getting. As for Beattie's motivational qualities, I'm not sure how you know whether they're good or bad - you may be right, but where's the evidence? Why are they a League 1/2 club? Nice stadium, decent enough catchment area (especially if Cardiff continue to languish), fairly well-run at board level. We've won one FA Cup, they've won one League Cup.

1) United will need to offer a lot more than £40k. 2) Are you mental? 3) Fans have a habit of over-emphasising the importance of players. A few months ago, Alderweireld was totally irreplaceable and the world as we knew was coming to an end when he signed for Spurs instead of us. As it happened, there turned out to be other centre backs on the planet who are also quite good. Weird. Who had heard of Mane before we signed him? Football exists outside of this league and country.

Odd, I think 'being dominant' is probably Forster's biggest weakness. He's a man mountain but, relative to his size and stature, he is very poor in the air. All goalkeepers are 'good shot-stoppers'. I used to love the way Lehmann would come and claim the ball towards the edge of his box. Yes, it would cost Arsenal a goal or so a season from the odd howler, but it took so much pressure off the defence. Wish Forster would command his box more. I think Stekelenburg is slightly ahead of where Forster was last season but not a huge amount in it. Forster should end up being a much better keeper than him though.

Of course they have, on occasion. But that's not to say that shouting in the referee's face = getting more decisions in your favour. A lot of the time it has the opposite effect on the ref because it just winds him up. The crowd and the atmosphere inside a stadium are infinitely more influential.

Cannot disagree with this more. It used to drive me crazy watching Lallana being a gobby little sh*t. And it really doesn't have any effect on the referees. The crowd does, but not the players.

I think the rugby method works quite well - any dangerous act during play gets punished but, when the ball is dead, beat the hell out of each other, get it out your system and then get on with the game.

Agreed - there is no clear solution at the moment. Just saying I'd be open to a bit of experimentation. The respect stuff is so easy to fix though.

Football has much to learn from rugby. For a start, we should adopt (and enforce) the same approach to interaction with the ref - i.e. everyone shows some actual respect and only the captain can query decisions. The refs should were mics too. The refs should also be allowed to give interviews again to explain decisions, which would also help humanise them. As for technology/referrals, I'm fairly open to it. Max one per side per game I think though or it'll be too disruptive. But I generally think referrals in other sports work best when the decision to refer is made by the ref himself rather then the captains though. Perhaps refs could have licence to review decisions relating to penalty appeals and possible red card offences...?

Disagree. It doesn't matter how much better you are than the oppo or how good/bad your/their recent form has been, if a team scores to get get back within one goal with 5-10 mins to go, everything goes out the window. The Villa game showed that tonight - all it would have taken was for Gestede's header to go the other side of the post. A game is never dead at 2-0. It usually is at 3-0.

Because he said in the summer that he does not want to be here? He's a monster, but I wouldn't have too much of an issue if we sold him for good money. He is replaceable.

I hate to criticise players for having a shot from the edge of the box. Players not having the balls to shoot has driven me crazy over the last three years. The only one that was probably not worth it IMO was Wanyama's first-time effort from 30-odd yards. I'd far rather players had a go than didn't. That being said, I agree with your point. To me it seems like a lack of killer instinct; there were more goals to be had in the last 5-10 mins of the first half, but we were far too happy just to keep the ball and knock it round while the crowd were chanting 'ole' instead of actually being more ruthless and trying to create chances.

Ideal draw. Can't wait.

Happy Gaston Day everyone.

Don't think we'll see more than a few changes from Liverpool game.

I'd be astonished if we offered a new contract. Personally, I think there is room for him in the squad, just not for his wages sadly.

Which teams in this country present 'a brick wall'?