Donatello

That we agree on

I think the only issue with Hesketh is that he clearly doesn't have the frame for top flight football yet (not intended as a insult). He's still very slight, therefore prone to injury/damage. Best to protect him for the time being, I'd have thought, given that he isn't necessarily an upgrade on Djuricic.

I beg to differ on pretty much everything you've said

My thoughts exactly. Liverpool will be too difficult about it (their prerogative, of course). They'd probably demand a similar fee back from us (lest they look like mugs). No dice, unfortunately.

Why end the fairytale?

TheSwissRamble is always such a good read. The Net Transfer comparison really highlights the success of our buying/selling/player-production over the past three seasons to the current point in time (compared to, say, Liv/Spurs), I.e. within a few points of these teams (exc. the performance-value of our salary commitments - which we'd 'win' anyway).

There is definitely some substance to this. MLG will clear it up shortly, no doubt.

And your kids will ask, 'Where's/Who's Daddy?'

Thanks for taking the time to make these comparisons/charts.

S.Davis was responsible for the aeon Dier had in which to cross. (If memory serves) He follows Kane's run into the box, which Bertrand had covered/was matching, and then finds himself stuck behind Kane momentarily.

Davis leaving Dier free to curl one at leisure in order to follow Bertrand and Kane into the box. Da' fuq!

*Far* too many deep crosses coming in from their right. Tadic/Long needs to shut it down. In fact, get Tadic off of that wing.

I must concede, on several occasions yesterday I was screaming at Ward-Prowse (well, at the TV) to show some purpose (with regards to his defensive duties). Reference his passing ability, I recall him being praised last season (or the season before?) for his ability to splay long passes accurately. Less so this season, admittedly, and I think that's due to his being played in a more advanced position, coupled with his ponderous nature on the ball. Ultimately, he's too defensively naive at present to play DM/CM, and not creative enough to play AM. I like him though, and contrary to popular opinion on here, I think he possesses an innate ability to strike the ball cleanly. With time, he could conceivably develop into a central midfielder with a long-distance goal threat - something we've not had in yonks.

Has to be Jose.

You only have to look at the post immediately above mine for an example. And from what I've been able to glean from the summer business thread, there's certainly a large presence of confidence (which is fair enough, of course, just curious as to the rationale)....Coleman was even suggested As you say, it's all conjecture.

Why are the majority of the folks here so convinced that it's easy to replace players like MS and NC? Moreover, that we can do so for comparatively less than we're selling for? If it's *that* easy, why are the heavyweights (who are likely better equipt) unable to pilfer talent in the same manner? Note, I'm not saying we can't replace with comparable players, but some speak as if it's a foregone conclusion.

Not sure about that, Djuricic looks to be far more of a goal threat than Tadic. Time will tell, of course.

I'd place Lloris, de Gea, Cech, Courtois, Begovic, and Hart ahead of him. So 7th, for me.

This was key. I'd have fancied our chances in a game where Liverpool felt inclined to go forward, but that early goal all but obliterated that possibility. Elia particularly ineffective (as Mane has been) against the deep defense. In such instances, we have to be making more of set pieces. Any theories as to why we're so ineffective when it comes to winning headers from corners/free-kicks?

Absolutely no issue with the first (how could you possibly?!), but if he's capable of getting down to the 2nd and getting major paw on it, he should be keeping it out.

My issue with his current play is more to do with his apparent inability to get anywhere near any of our crosses. Given that we cross more than any either side, he needs to be making more of a nuisance of himself. Fatigue, perhaps.

I disagree. I'm not usually inclined to blame goalkeepers when they're exposed (as he was), but he actually got down to it, and if he's getting down to it, it shouldn't really be going *through* his palms. In fact, I wouldn't even blame him for the goal...but he still should be saving it (given the contact he made, imo, etc, etc).

Elia is not the reason we are losing. He's had a quiet display. You don't lose because of quiet displays. You lose when players like Pelle become completely ineffective over the course of several games.

Palmed the ball into his own net for their second. (exaggerating, obvs)

Elia has been fine(ish). The problem is Pelle/Forster/Davis/Friend.