nta786

I will be honest, I really wanted Rudi Garcia when he was heavily linked with us after Koeman left. Pellegrini too was my 2nd choice. In the end we got Puel

hard to do a mock up without knowing our shirt sponsors or sleeve sponsors.

yes! I cannot wait for the Cricket World Cup next month! Anyway, Huddersfield town- going to predict a 2-1 win- Redmond and Ings- but we won't keep a clean sheet.

In the past, we've obviously had title-defining players as we see now such as VVD and Mane, and general top 4 quality players- our current squad has none of those players now. Title Contender: None Top 6 Starter: None Top 6 Squad Member: Lemina, Bertrand Top 10/Best of Rest Starter or Squad Member: Romeu, JWP, Ings (benefit of doubt), Redmond, PEH, Bednarek 11-17th Player/Squad Member: McCarthy, Yoshida, Vestegaard, Long, Armstrong, Gunn, Targett, Sims, Valery Relegation/Championship Worthy Player/Squad Member: Stephens, Austin, Elyounoussi, Gallagher, Forster then we still have: Obafemi, Carrillo, Hoedt, Cedric?, Boufal, Clasie, Reed, Mcqueen to categorise too. I might have been either generous or harsh with some such as Lemina, but the problem is the wages- players like Bednarek are on Championship level wages whilst Forster and Stephens are collectively taking in £120k a week.

he used to be quite rapid when he was at Burnley, now looks like he is having a Rooney-esque fade in the sense that he's lost pace and is dropping deeper to mask it. If I didn't no what his price tag was I'd have said fine to keep as a squad player, but £20m just seems like that is a third of our budget gone already

reckon we brought him off that half decent game he had against City for Basel in the CL. I think the problem was the wage we gave him (think I read 60k), even he said that has set him up life. I think he has lost the motivation to bother improving.

Agreed really. I think some people are being slightly harsh. He was generally an above average keeper I would say in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season- including one incredible month where he was given Player of the Month (the last GK to win that mind!), and even broke our clean sheet record. Of course, having an excellent defence and midfield in front of him helped propel his ability further. Might I also add that in the 2014-15 season, we only went on to win 2 of our last 8 games after Forster got injured against Burnley and we had to have Kelvin Davis in goal! 2016-17 was where more of his deficiencies were exposed understandably, and he turned, let's say average. 2017-18 was terrible really, and that's what sticks in everyones mind. No one complained about the 2016 contract extension, as he was actually fairly involved in our success. 2017 was a mistake to offer him a new one of course

yeah, cos we finished 2nd.

I can't say I've seen both play a lot, but Augustin obviously has history with Ralph, and he's played, albeit slightly, at a high level in Germany. Adams has scored 20+ in Championship I think, and he is English which makes me slightly more biased towards him, and he would be cheaper. If both players cost the same, then I'd opt for Augustin. But likelihood is Augustin will probably cost £27-35million, and Adams we might be able to get for £12-15m, and in that case I'd choose Adams.

won't get both surely- we still have Ings to add to that list too remember!

My guess would be £35, £45 and £55,with a £10 discount on those prices for children and OAPs. That was simply based on the prices charged for England's game against Switzerland at the King Power in Leicester.

yep, a number of factors come in. I reckon we'll lose 3-2. It would not surprise me either if it was another 80th minute plus heartbreak to be honest. As long as it is nothing like last seasons horror show there.

oh I get you, yeah of course 100%

I wouldn't say it does. All 19 of our games go down to either general sale or to anyone with a purchase history for games against top 6/Bournemouth. I no longer have a Season Ticket, and I purely brought my membership to get tickets for away games. However, after the League Cup final fiasco in 2016/17, I would say no one needs a membership unless they do away games.

wouldn't take him only because of his age, but actually think Babel has been quite good for Fulham recently, although perhaps it might be so that he can bag himself a PL contract this summer and he'll flop next season. Schurrle was okay in the early half, but on the whole of course Fulham have been terrible. Although I wouldn't take anyone from any of the relegated teams, so this thread is more of a, who is the best player for each relegated team... For Cardiff, it is probably Camarasa (remember reading how with him in the team they have higher points per game than without), and as for Huddersfield it is easy to say Mooy, although Terriers fan might argue otherwise as they actually watch their team every week.

well what does that say then for players like Gallagher and Elyounoussi? Austin is obviously doing something right if he is making the bench for Ralph. I think he'll be a 3rd or 4th choice striker for us next season. Long, Ings, Obafemi and then reckon we'll buy one more. I hope we a winger too to relieve pressure of Redmond though, unless Boufal is up to task.

another game of ifs and buts, but I think draw is the fair result. I will remain positive and say that games like this can only allow Ralph to understand his squad more so he knows what he needs for success next season.

post 143! If only I made a Heisenburg style bet eh

my stream died, just as well! Although they've been over us last 10 minutes, I'm gonna remain slightly positive- been a very open game. 3-3 final scoreline!

Long, doing the most Long thing ever. Portsmouth now 1-1.

agreed, very frustrating. sucker punch. oh well there is time still.

good pass out to Redmond, finds Long inside the box. deflection but when things fall for you, it falls for you! good goal!

that is actually the exact team I would have played with what is available tbh. Sims, Lemina and Armstrong decent subs to make if need be. However, for me it is more damning looking at the bench, and might say something about our plans for next season going forward. Austin, despite it being hinted that he should leave this summer, still on the bench over Gallagher and Elyounoussi- makes you wonder how bad the latter 2 must be in training. Also, just been posted that Maya is ill, hence the exclusion today.

oddly enough, Wolves U23 and Reading U23 play their final fixtures tonight, meaning that when we play on the 29th we'll know exactly what we need to do or whether we are consigned to the play-offs by virtue of Goal Difference!

Well perhaps, but I think I remember hearing how spare tickets actually aren't sold and instead given to members of staff, although again that might only be when we are really not close to selling out. But, the club have said they will change matchday prices when they announced season ticket pricing -->