gazza ladra

I thought that Fraser had a knock. He's definitely back?

Viduka could've been so great; if only he gave a shit.

With our current squad, I'd take Shearer, Speed, and Woodgate. That said, I'd love to watch some more Robert, Ben Arfa, and Enrique. And Ba.

@Conjo Can't really disagree with your reasoning. But if better players are available -- players who will be out of a contract at the end of the season, internationals not getting minutes at their clubs that are willing to go on loan, top players at clubs that desperate for cash, etc. --there's no reason not to spend in January.

Think we'll see 4-1-1 Wilson Joelinton ASM Hayden Willock Murphy Ritchie Clark Lascelles Maquillo Dubravka I'd like to see the internationals go straight into the starting 11, but I donkt he make any changes to the backline just yet. 3-2 home win

It's not like Callum Wilson picks up injuries...

Kai, please stop. You do not know what you are talking about.

£200m and a loan or two would do it.

We were looking to spent £4m, and Mainz bought him for £5m. Way to go Mike!

He chose Mainz over us? Went from Monaco > Mainz > Dortmund > PSG

See what you did Kaizero?

Given that we won't be sitting back and inviting pressure all game, I think that everybody will look completely diiferent. I'd imagine that we'll get more out of Almirion, Willock, and Hayden. Maybe Murphy. Schar is just about my favoriete player, so I just like to see him play.

Well, Froggy has Vieira at 17. I was just noting that he (Froggy) has wheeled the 25% win rate a couple of times as if that is going to clinch the argument. Vieria has managed 11 games in the premier league, so stats aren't really going to prove amuch of anything at this point. Vieria did quite well in the US and France. But of course that's not much of an achievement compared to doing well in Norway. I've been really impressed with what I've seen of the teams he's managed. That's all. So, yeah, I rate him. ( I haven't really read the debate between you and Ckark. )

Vieria has done very well with Palace this season. Froggy has wheeled out this 25% win percentage a couple times to make his opinion a factual certainty. Yes, Palace have had a lot of draws. But they have also had a very tough schedule. I think the most difficult in the league. They have lost twice : Liverpool and Chelsea, both away. They drew at Arsenal and West Ham and just beat Man City away. He's doing a great job this season. He also did quite well in the US and France. It's not a matter of smoke and mirrors or him getting a pass because of his name. I wouldn't rate him higher than Howe myself, but when I look at the list of current premier league managers he's nowhere near the bottom.

1, 3, 4, 2 The red of the original is really nice. Don't care much for current shade of blue. And red player numbers please

Well, yes. But we have several counter-examples of players who were pretty useful under Rafa and are now "total dogshit". I am all for a bit of optimism and hope. It's been a long time coming.

While I am optmistic that Howe will get better performances from a number of our players, I am a bit put off by suggestions that he'll unlock overlooked talents by trying players out at different positions on the pitch. This, after complaining about Bruce's penchant for playing X, Y, and Z "out of position". Had quite enough of that, thank you. Also, I didn't find the Tifo Joelinton video (posted above) depressing at all. It was actually quite encouraging. They identified how Joelinton had bben successful at Hoffenheim where they attempted to press from the front. And that he hasn't been able to play off Almirion and Asm because they're playing too deep and he's isolated up front. It's almost as though the people who made the video had watched some films if Newcastle United-- something that was utterly beyond Bruce. I'm expecting Howe ti get the most out of Joelinton by pkaying him in his correct position and leveraging his strengths.

Spain, Russia, and Portugal go through with a draw.

I can't understand not wanting Lingard. He turned down an opprtunity to join us during the Ashley era? So he has a bit of ambition, not a bad thing.

Schar has 1 year remaining on his contract I think.

Well done.

He brought a team with him. God knows we need it.

Hope so.

Fair enough he improved mediocre midfielders. Wish he had done same with his defenders.

Would've been better if the first sentence read "Mansfield fan in peace", but other than that expert trolling.