ErwinK1961

You can’t have been very good at FM then.. 😉 In all seriousness though, when you’re looking for something to change and go for the win, you look to put your most attacking players on. At the moment, the options on the bench are mainly strikers - he would have had Robinson to bring on if Downes hadn’t pulled out and he bought on Matsuki. If we get a LW in that will be another option. If he still lumps on strikers when we’ve got a bench full of other options then I’ll be concerned.

Will Still a ‘hipster’ manager 😂 Do you just have one default setting when a manager isn’t Moyes or Allardyce?

What does that even mean?

I had a dream last night we went 1-0 down (Stephens OG), but won 8-2.

Of all the dross in our squad, I have a rather large (and probably irrational) dislike of Downes above all others. Since the final at Wembley I’ve never got the impression he actually wants to be here, with the only reason seemingly being his love for Martin. If I remember correctly, he also nearly bailed on us at the last minute to sign for Ipswich, but then got talked around (and probably got offered more money for the privilege). He also seems to have a distinct lack of self awareness. As mentioned above, the “irons” shout at the party was just odd. He admitted he was annoyed at getting booed by Ipswich fans (despite refusing to play and handing in a transfer request there). He was also confused when we booed after Rotherham at home 1-1… He strikes me as someone who thinks he’s a lot better than he actually is. Thinking he was prime Iniesta against Stoke a good example of that. He doesn’t really offer anything outstanding on the pitch, other than running around a lot. Not great at tackling, not great at progressive passing. Plus he’s about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. Was happy at the time we made it permanent, but in hindsight that was a mistake and would be very happy if he left before the deadline (so long as we replace).

How would people feel about Downes leaving, bringing another CM in and keeping Aribo? Giving us Charles, Jander, Aribo plus another

Dom Ballard on a permanent to Leyton Orient by looks of it. Good luck to him, hope he kicks on and has a good career.

Couldn’t even bring himself to do a Gary Lineker for the cause. Shameful.

Have said it for ages. The midfield (before Fernandes left) was made up of all the same type of midfielders. No creativity and no defensive protection. Azaz is a good start, but we still lack a proper DM. Jander looks a great player, but not sure he’s going to give us the defensive element we really need.

Can’t see another CM coming in.

Fair points - maybe I’m being naive, but I think shifting players in the positions we want to bring in will be key (e.g Edozie for Scienza and Bree for Jelert). Edozie, Smallbone, BBD just need to go if they want to play any football this season.

I don’t think we need to replace Aribo, he’s just a surplus that needs to go.

Jelert would surely mean Bree (and probably Taylor) out. Edozie leaving would hopefully then mean Scienza in. Then a case of shifting Aribo, BBD and Smallbone?

What an unbelievable downgrade that would be for Palace. Cant see it at all, their transfer model is much better than that.

Been out at a golf day all day - was greeted on arrival of the Fernandes news, so didn’t bother keeping up to date with anything else today. This thread (or the last 16 pages) was a great read… was like a matchday thread spread out over an entire day.

Downes.

So you keep saying, the manager disagrees.

Like Downes’ goal two seasons ago 😉

He’s not going to be a regular starter for us though. The long term plan is to play (hopefully) 4 at the back. We don’t need 5 senior CB’s. Stephens (captain), Quarshie (new signing) and THB (most valuable) are not going, so leaves Wood or Edwards. We’re clearly targeting big and strong players, which would give Wood the edge. Who knows, it might be a loan or it might be bullshit.

Wood’s been solid for me.

Fair enough, I could be misremembering. He’s been a disappointment so far this season, but agree would be a shame to lose that versatility. Though we do probably need to lose a CB and he doesn't seem to fit the physical profile of defender we want in the team.

Is that true? I thought the rave reviews he got last year from their fans were when he was playing DM.

I’m not having Armstrong as a winger personally, certainly not for how Still wants to use them.

Panic buying one of the best players in the championship? Count me in.

I disagree. Fraser has had injury problems in the past and isn’t playing 46 league games this season. Robinson is 18 playing his first full season of men’s football. 2 options each side is a must for me.