UpweySaint

Agreed. Not really expecting this to come to fruition but it's not entirely impossible and would be an amazing coup.

Okay, officially in wild starry eyed punt territory however humour me a little ... As per the below Mislintat is linked with leaving as a role as technical director/DOF looks to no longer be in the cards for him. Which formerly progressive club known for spotting and developing young talent has a gaping hole to fill in the DOF position? I admit we may be well below his level but we have some plus points. Decent youth set up, previous record of developing young talent, a well thought of head coach intent on developing players and would give him plenty of scope to guide the club direction. I'm sure there may be bigger and better opportunities out there for a man of his reputation but it could be a good fit all around. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/15/arsenal-head-recruitment-sven-mislintat-future

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/09/manolo-gabbiadini-to-move-from-southampton-to-sampdoria-?CMP=share_btn_tw Story picked up by the Guardian too. As others has said he had some special moments at the start and it's just a shame he couldn't kick on to more with us. I hope his move back to Italy allows him to rediscover his shooting boots. With him and Davo out Ralph certainly seems intent on a clear out. Let's hope somebody wants to take big Wes off our hands for a reasonable fee.

Should we stay up and Ralph get a full preseason I could see us kicking on and being able to be on the front foot more in games. All in all a solid display. A little more precision in our forward movements and we could have taken three points.

Clyne apparently available for loan though other papers have linked him with a permanent move https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/nathaniel-clyne-close-liverpool-loan-13789367 If Cedric goes we could do worse than try and get Clyne back. Unsure if there isn't a rule that would stop us having two players on loan from the same club.

No hard feelings, never quite worked out for him after initial promise. I would hope to see a fee for him that gives us a little room to move in the transfer market. I think some on here are harsh on Cedric though I wouldn't be gutted to see him leave either.

Fair point. When you're in the mire you need the players on side. That's the thing, you could see the logic in both Grabban's and Rodwell's stances but it's the sort of thing that infuriates a lot of fans who want to see a team put first. The Williams segments made interesting watching. Hard as a fan not to get frustrated when things are bleak but you can see just how important confidence can be to some players. Made me think of one or two of our own!

I felt bad for Coleman. Took on a poor squad and had a considerable injury list. Bizarre some of their fans raving about their squad in the early eps... it's like when Les trotted out that line about best midfielf options in the league. Grabban came out of it looking like a c*ck too.

Wow. So nice to so a clear plan executed well. Even the subs made sense - if honest I expected Long for Ings but happy to be wrong. Areas to work on certainly but what a feeling after last week as well! Obefami looks a little naive in his decision making but looks like he has plenty about him and, with young players getting real chances under Ralph, significant motivation for others on the fringes.

You would hope that most could see that it is reasonable to come to either conclusion at this juncture. We have been woeful, there are questions marks about players throughout the squad, some of those around us have picked up points recently. However new manager, arguably there is more to come from a number of players, january is an unknown and plenty of poor sides this season (Hudds, Cardiff, Burnley, Fulham etc.)

With very little evidence, I am stumping for no. As per last season less that I have faith in us more that I hope enough teams do worse.

Agree neither have had much to work with though neither offer the physicality or pace to force space. We're reliant on clever play and we don't have too many who appear capable on an individual level and the team build up is often so ponderous.

Honestly willing to admit it may be utter nonsense, my question was surely Hughes couldn't be turfed until we have a new DOF to appoint a replacement?

Not claiming to be itk but friend, of a friend apparently works on the matchday program and has been told to remove any mention of Mark Hughes. Could be complete b*llocks mind you!

I could copy and paste from a number of our half times. We've shaded a first half low on quality but not taken a chance, nobody horrendous, nobody shining. Though I am a little lonely in rating Stephens so good to see him looking tidy enough thus far. Expect Bournemouth to come on strong in the second. Shame we lack a bit of pace and mobility to hit them on the break if they do kick on.

I agree but the counter argument is that he probably isn't the solution either.

Not much in it with real quality lacking for both sides. I would like to see more overloads out wide, between Ings and Austin it is worth trying to get some service in (or Austin off with Redmond or Armstrong behind Ings for more movement). Hoedt is not having his best game, lacks composure at times. Hoj probably been our best player so far, has shown good close control and looks to be playing with more confidence.

Lots of positives first half; Bossing the midfield, lovely finish, Hoedt and Vestergaard looking reliable, Redmond very bright, The pressing is great to see - I know Long lacks in other areas but winning the ball back so high up creates chances. We just need to keep our foot on the peddle in the second half and resist the urge to drop back allowing Brighton to dictate the play.

To be fair to Rashford he always seems to do well when given a chance up top. He could do with a lukaku/sanchez double injury to get a run up top for utd.

To be fair MOTD made it look a much closer contest then it was. Hodgson conceding they were second best for 60-70 mins probably sums it up,very gracious and honest from him.

Yeah, the lack of place at cb still worries me with a vest/hoedt paring but I think a settled first choice paring can be a massive plus for any side. Long and Ings seem to be working well in tandem.

You know what, I think we look decent so far - only issue being I said that last week and we conspired a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory ... Long is doing well to bring others in to play, Ings shows really good touches and link up play (I have to concede I hadn't thought this was a such a strength for him), Hoj looking decent spraying balls out the Cedric, Redmond looking bright. Our defensive shape has been fairly decent and there seems to be a clear idea of attack. Just need a goal for our hard work. I daren't say anything too critical less it should come back to bite me but Benteke must be so frustrating for Palace fans. He bullied backlines for Villa!

I'm not crying into the cornflakes about it, just came across the article and made me wonder why we couldn't quite get it over the line. Probably a combination of our desperation, premier league premium, contract six months further along etc. I can't comment about his mentality but I liked his quality, his pace is something we still lack a little.

https://en.as.com/en/2018/08/29/football/1535555770_918311.html As above looks like he is going to Sevilla for significantly less then we were quoted. Can't help but speculate on why we were allegedly given a £30mil plus pricetag while Sevilla, by many standards a 'bigger' club, are getting a reasonable deal. Real shame as he looked the sort who could have added something to our team.

And manon is probably the most footie appropriate name....