DuncanRG

We handled them really well at their place. Same levels of organisation and we should win. Wanyama would have been very useful though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why oh why did we put them on 49 game contracts!? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This always happens in cup games. We could bring on two England internationals because they're usually in the first team. Anyway, we do have strength in depth - just not enough for the level we're looking to compete at. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Leeds fans are clowns. Unfortunately clowns tend to sing loudest at the football. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but...he does sit. Cork is maybe more prone to breaking forward with possession but when we're around their box they both prowl a few yards out offering a simple ball and a body back if the opposition reclaims.

He has a shot every game Cork's no more attacking than Wanyama really, just challenges higher up the pitch sometimes...and Wanyama's better.

I would like another centre half in this window I think. Yoshida's hot and cold but Hooiveld really is losing it. Adding a centre half with left back capabilities to the squad of Shaw, Clyne, Lovren, Fonte, Chambers and Yoshida would leave us very strong.

Right, job done in the end. Who do we want in the next round? I'd love Sheffield United away, so I can have the novelty of walking to a Saints game.

You're given the space to do that against lesser teams, to be fair.

We're in League One again?! Damn it, I've already bought my train tickets to Sunderland.

With Clyne the Hobbit at centre half!?

We'd sooner have Rodriguez and Gallagher, even Lee I suspect. Playing Sharp would feel like charity.

Only just got in - good goal? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Clyne was on the bench for a few games and gradually reintegrated last time he came back from injury. He's our first choice but taking it slow helps him come back at full fitness and gives Chambers the benefits of a decent run in the team. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Last time that happened was when Cropper got injured during the warm up...let's hope it's not the same this time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Burnley still have a strong side out, don't underestimate them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How's that for strength! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed. Kilbane's right, though I don't think it's a disgrace we reported it. It might yet come out that more was said anyway, we'll see.

We can beat one big club. We could beat four if we were lucky.

I really want to hear a good argument against this. UEFA probably wouldn't allow it unless they extended the same offer to all countries with a high enough coefficient. Not sure what the implications of that would be. Other reasons I could think of: - Uber-established top three clubs may not take it any more seriously - If it was applied across all the top nations you risk having some seriously crappy teams in the Group Stages, reducing the credibility of the Champions League. Though perhaps the likes of Wigan wouldn't have made it so far if every team took the cup seriously - The sacking-spending frenzies of Premier League owners could go into complete meltdown if they started sacking managers for going out of the cup and denying them their jackpot

Harder to spot talent young, I suppose.

Interesting. You could tell at the game that Adam was more riled up after speaking to him, and he's normally quite quick to drop bad decisions and get on with the game. He's certainly given up on worse decisions quicker.

Chris Baird has enjoyed a good Premier League career, though he wouldn't have made it in a European team.

Nicely put, I'd like to see more of that.

It's no coincidence, it's just that one of the toughest things about coming into first team football is getting to grips with the physicality, time pressure and positioning. That's naturally easier in wide positions where you can afford more mistakes. You see many more young full backs and wingers being 'given a go' than other players, including strikers. EDIT: Just realised you're talking about our academy over the last few decades rather than years. It is strange we haven't churned out a good centre back after all this time.