kitch

PEH.

All the talk of Davis having a howler of a game, yet all the highlights I saw (admittedly only MoTD) showed him in the thick of it, and also being instrumental in the build up to the JWP goal?

I like him. Puts in a shift, and as others have said, it can't be easy being out for months at a time, and then just being thrown in and asked to handle it. Then factor in the injury etc. Never seems to complain, just acts like a professional and gets on with it. Certainly not the level we need for a starter, but a perfect backup RB in my opinion.

Completely agree. Something's not right at a deeper level than just the manager. That said, I also believe this manager is tactically inept, which is a lethal combo. Two weeks ago, I'd have said we won't get dragged into the bottom three mess. Now? I genuinely think we're in trouble. It's going to be just like the old days, only we've got no MLG!

My thoughts exactly!

I was gutted we didn't go in for him back in the summer. Class player.

Jesus! Glad I didn't get that last minute ticket after all!

I like Shearer too, especially with his insight from a forward's point of view. He's perfectly qualified to comment on practically any attacking move, by any team, as far as I'm concerned. I actually don't mind Keown from the defensive POV, but only to a point. I also like Henry, and would say Jenas is quite good on air and in the studio, but not so great in the commentary box. Souness talks sense, but just can't be dealing with hoddle. And yes, Sutton is a reason to switch off. Awful!

Spot on. It's like Henry said at half-time; If you want the penalty, you've got to let him trip you up! He would have tripped him up, it would have been a penalty, but he went down by himself. Smith committed a dive, before Boufal committed a foul. Ref got it spot on IMO.

How did PEH do? Was he playing a more advanced role, or was he back with Romeu?

I think Bertrand started to tail off in the last 15-20mins. Up to that point, brilliant, but the standard of his passing and the effort seemed to thin out a little bit. But then, complacency is a cruel mistress!

Eddie Howe? Bournemouth/Burnley?

Exactly as I see it. Spot on IMO.

Another here who thinks he should be given a go. He has a nous for goal that not many others in the squad have, but the team doesn't play to his strengths. Telling him to sit behind a no.9 is dumb. Put him up the top, and put the balls on a plate for him, because finishing while under pressure is what he's good at.

Quite literally, in some cases.

I was about to say something similar, to be honest. If Wanyama is just knocking 5yd sidefooted 1-2 passes around the middle of the field, he's going to have a high completion stat. Romeu is much better at passing, and will try to play it forwards or switch the play if he finds himself on one side of the pitch. Much more adventurous, and the fact he completion rate is only just shy of VW's - considering how much more varied his passes are - that speaks volumes about him. He's much more composed on the ball too. Would I have him over Wanyama? Dunno. I like Romeu, he's one of my favourite players, but when you need a bruiser in the middle of the park he's just not quite as effective as Big Vic was, and right now, that's what we're missing. So any other day of the week, Romeu for me, but right here right now, I'd have Wanyama in the side.

I think some people are getting mixed up 100m times in seconds, and measured speed in metres per second! Gardos is one of the slowest (relatively speaking) there. My school time in year 10 was 12.96secs, and I wasn't anywhere near the fastest in the year.

I told the kids I'd managed to get tickets for tonight's and the weekend's games, and they were really excited. Even the 5yr old seemed keen, and he got bored last time. Proper family night out Then I looked outside. Right then.....

Awww, you went to all the trouble of replying just for me!

MLT for me. I'm just 'that' age where I grew up with him in the mid-90's. Shearer to an extent too, but majority of his success obviously wasn't with us. Soft spot for Benali, Lundekvam, Monkou & Dodd too.

Was just thinking that if it was, it gives an indication on the club's intentions for staff for next season. Sam G wearing 17? That'd suggest that not only is he staying, that the club plan to use him. Likewise Stephens wearing no.5 (in place of Gardos @ 15.) Targett @ 12 and, perhaps cruically, VVD moved up to no.6! Could be nothing, but it seems a bit too coincidental at the moment, to me anyway. edited to add: I'm assuming that list was lifted from a more official source BTW, not just typed out on here by the OP.

Is that list any indication of next year's squad numbers, or just coincidence that some have changed?

We'd have to change VVD's song though....

I predicted 12th at the beginning of the season, and I reckon I'll still go with that. Would be happy with 9th though, and ecstatic with 8th (based on how the season's gone).