UpweySaint

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....

Very much spots up for grabs behind Pickford as clear number one. Bertrand must fancy himself over Rose as well.

Apparently Southgate will be in attendance, the article says largely to watch McCarthy; https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/17/gareth-southgate-england-alex-mccarthy-southampton Few of ours probably have a point to prove (RB) and others may not be far from call ups.

This. Don't see why some are so keen to run down the academy boys.

Hoedt doesn't cover himself in glory, fails to hold a line with other cb's.

This really. His movement looked good, bit of pace and power albeit a little raw. If he was available for the right price I would be very happy to see him in our team.

The hat adds a few inches

True. Bit of a unit by all accounts too.

Phwoar what a pick out from Dusan, how it didn't go in I have no idea! He has having a good game by all accounts.

Signing to be made with a vowel in their name. Utter wang.

If we could afford a shopping spree why not but looks like we wont have much to play with. Rather see what pennies we have go elsewhere.

Snap, longevity normal wins out! I hope to be able to stick a world cup version. Normally miss a few weeks in a full one and realise that my cb has been suspended, striker injured and everyone else managed 80 points from whoever was sticking goals past Stoke each week.

The Poch season. As angelman said seeing the academy players get so much game time and genuinely kick on was a real highlight. If he had our lot now I could envision Sims being a consistent first team player among others. We played good football and looked like, on our day, we could go toe to toe with most teams. There was a real sense that we were building towards something and a feel good factor around the squad/club broadly. It was weird to think how optimistic we (Dalek and whatever version of Glasgow existed at that point aside) were as fans compared to the doom and gloom of recent times.

Nice one for sorting one out, added my team.

Mawson (2nd choice Gibson), we have some ok CBs who need a leader to help them develop and command a little more, Promes (2nd Sisto), we need more pace and attacking threat from out wide, a little unpredictably would help too, Maddison (2nd Grealish), we have been missing a '10' for years though either could potentially play alongside a more traditional forward, both look like they could step up to the premier league and develop, Rondon (2nd Ings), okay Rondon hasn't screamed goals lately but we have lacked physicality up front that allows others to play since the days of Pelle or Lambert - Ings may be a cheap(ish) option and may find goals with a consistent run ... open minded for continental options though if we can find somebody who could manage in the premier league. 5th (dependent on Forster not wanting to stick out as a reserve keeper) Bentley - always looked decent when I have seen him play, good potential, English.

Yes. I like the way his sides play and think he has done well with both Watford and Fulham. He has also won titles in a few other leagues too which isn't easy.

Not sure his nationality is particularly relevant to anything other than your own prejudices. For what it's worth we played a relatively high press under Adkins - that Northerner! We played arguably our best football in the last decade under Poch who was very much focused on possession and pressing. What's more some of the best footballing sides around currently, Liverpool and City, play this way! Jokanovic has had relative success already in England and elsewhere.

Probably not but then I suppose what his options are and a possible Hughes link up could be a pro or con, fully expect he may have better offers though both here and across continent.

Apparently Shaqiri has a £12mil release clause, a bargain fee by current markets. HCDAJFU or most teams in the league though to be fair and will likely have a range of suitors.