leeham_69

i think this is a pretty good point tbf. it also makes me wonder about koeman leaving due to financial constraints... it was before the gao takeover (i think...?), but if only he'd just held on or we'd just given in. it's not like we haven't spent cash. players get worse when they come here. i don't think that's les' fault. i think it's due to the lack of project, identity, vision, playing style, clearly defined roles within the squad. hughes out. guardiola in. sheikh mansour also in.

I reckon a front three of MLT, Lambo and Mane with a peak schneiderlin in CM would be pretty damn good to watch.

one of my genuine highlights reading this forum from the last few years.

I watched about half an hour of the live stream - particularly one drill that involved two wide men playing a one-two then crossing the ball for two others to finish. Vestergaard and Gallagher easily the best two finishers on show - ahead of Gabbi and long, plus others you'd expect (Yoshida, Reed, a few others). Ings and Austin not involved in that drill, must have been something up the other end of the pitch. Interesting to watch though!

good lineup!

Surely the biggest game since our return to the PL? This or last year's cup final - this to me feels like a chance to really shake off two seasons of sh1te football and be the first step in re-establishing our proper identity as a team who competes by trying to win and accepting losses along the way rather than trying to not lose and accepting draws. Can't wait.

agreed re: redmond. I also think he could learn a lot from Gabbiadini about his movement off the ball. If he doesn't want to take players on with the ball, he can create uncertainty and pull open gaps using his pace when he doesn't have it. Just seems terrified of making a mistake, when tidy play and cleaning up clearly aren't his strengths as a player!

10-0 Saints, free from the shackles of what's 'is name (can't remember, already forgotten)

They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing Dancing in the street, oh

But what about all the interesting possible teas? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Les, we've been reading it upside down... turns out we aren't fourth!

If they're gonna sack MP, maybe they need someone to appoint as interim manager! Ha ha.

I think he’s been retired for some time... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

so that would point to 3-5-2 fairly plainly I guess?

Agreed, FA won't reply to my emails Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm just musing here, but I thought this might be interesting. My question is, who are the best ten outfield players at our club, forgetting formation for a moment? My theory is that we should figure this out first, and then determine the formation that gets them all on the park together. I wonder this may be one of the things pointing MP towards a 3-5-2, even if it is considered more defensive - the more quality on the pitch the better. For me: VVD Bertrand Cedric Gabbiadini Lemina (on brief evidence so far) Romeu Davis Austin Tadic Yoshi So that suggests to me 4-3-3 would be the way to get them all on the park with Tadic, Austin and Gab the front three. Who's your best ten? Let's generate some chat in a quiet week - play nice [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pressed the wrong button - i was referring to this:

comments like this failing to be moderated is the #1 problem with this site. absolutely no reason to abuse other people for posting an opinion.

Fairly sure I saw an interview with Redmond a few weeks back in which he said Bertrand was the funniest person at the club so I agree. Maybe he takes his job seriously! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's 28 so approaching an age where the opportunity to make a profit out of him gets smaller and smaller - so I imagine a new contract will be offered and if he doesn't want to accept it, they'll sell sooner rather than later to maximise his value. I don't mean this in any cynical way - just the way the club tends to operate in my view. I also think the club will be looking towards Targett in the very near future anyway for the 1st choice LB spot, which may also push them towards selling Berty. Excellent player, had to be a candidate for captaincy when VVD spat it.

isnt it? mm.

#bringbackgaston

I put a bet on him staying at 10 to 1 so he will definitely be leaving.

utterly static in defence and attack ... barely a 50/50 or contested header won all game ... no end product from any of davis, redmond, JWP, Tadic, Cedric ... bertrand playing like he's in a rush to get home ... ack I don't mean to be such a sad sack but that was not very enjoyable. I have changed my view of the VvD situation - we should sell to fund 2 serious, key attacking midfield players ASAP. lemina had an excellent game while he was on. the defence is just about solid enough - but so much of that game was played in the wrong half. long - for all his faults - improved the side today when he came on with his willing movement. jack stephens might be our best playmaker? i'm a mess.

I completely understand the frustration with Tadic because of how good he could be - but the fact is for me, nothing much seems likely to happen goal-wise without him being involved. Obviously not our most consistent player, but hard to argue against the fact he's the most likely to actually create an opening I reckon.