Cronky

At the start, we didn't seem sure whether we were pressing high or defending deep, and ended up doing neither. Fortunately they didn't take advantage. Whether by strategy or necessity, we've given up pressing high and it's looking a lot better. We're actually causing them problems when we go forward. Memphis is a selfish plonker. He's wasted a few good situations.

Mitrovic instead of Cisse makes us look a fair bit stronger. I just hope that starting him will lessen his need to make some kind of impact by fair means or foul. He can ease himself into the game. Hopefully. I'm hoping Ayoze has a good game that'll push him ahead of Obi in the pecking order.

I appreciate you may not have said this personally, but I'm typing on my phone and I cba to check, but after Mbemba signed it was all over this board that we 'definitely weren't signing anyone else'. At one point, it was all over the board that Carver would be given the permanent job and we'd spend nothing.

It's unbelievable this place sometimes man, isn't it. Who has written this player off? There have been a few risk / opportunity type assessments, but that’s all.

No thanks. Normally in a central defender, you can overlook their lack of skill on the ball if they're sufficiently strong in the basics of defending. With Sakho, I'd make an exception. He's one of the clumsiest players in the league. Liverpool are usually better than their opposition, so his blunders aren't too frequent or costly (though it looks like they're fed up with him now). With us, he'd be exposed far more often.

From the clips, he actually looks quite strong and certainly fast. I couldn't see a 'physicality' problem. It feels like there's a fair bit of underlying 'ego' in that farewell speech to Marseilles. If he can knuckle down and prove himself to his team mates, then he could well be a success here.

Just based on clips, I wasn't all that impressed. Useful, if he's prepared to work hard for the team, but not some superstar who can be indulged. He actually looks like quite strong and good in the air. I read somewhere that he prefers to play down the middle rather than out wide, so he doesn't have to do too much defending. Not exactly what you want to hear, but I do wonder whether he's better used in a more central position. Still, if it's more or less a swap with Cabella, it's worth the risk.

I don't know Thauvin, but I'm not convinced about Cabella. So bring it on.

It indicates what was probably his weakest point as a manager. Someone only has to disagree slightly with his opinion, and he's off on one.

Yes, simply because he's better than Colo, Willo or Taylor.

Good collection. I'd add Shearer's equaliser against Everton - you know the one where he volleyed in a high dropping ball from 25 yards. I was in a pub and scared the life out of some kids, I shouted so loud.

With Mitrovic, I think it's probably a question of fitness rather than lack of experience. Certainly, if he can't replace Cisse as main striker we'll be in trouble. Cisse doesn't have the all round ability or the heart for that role. A CB who can replace Colo, and a CM who can replace Anita should be the priorities. Anita is doing okay, but doesn't protect the back four well enough.

I did think that re-hiring Advocaat on just a one year contract was a dumb-ass decision. I don't care who it is, how can he inspire his players when his own commitment is so clearly limited? He was a successful firefighter, but the time had come for both parties to either commit or go their separate ways.

Janmaat has a tendency to lose composure. This was just the latest example. Our new psychologist needs to have a chat with him.

Strength isn't his weakness, it's stamina. Just because he's skinny doesn't mean he's weak.

I watched Dunk against Forest and he looked good. Does the basics of a centre back role very well.

You may well have a point there. The best performances that I've seen from him came when he was playing for QPR and England. At Tottenham, he can look a bit lost.

Njie appears to be heading your way. Shame. Of the strikers we've been linked with, he was the one I was most impressed with, just from the usual videos.

Give him time. He'll learn.

No, like I said it's a suspicion, not inside information. Based on a number of individual things which might not mean too much in isolation, but together tend to build up a not too attractive picture.

Yeah not popular: Hmmm... Not the most mature 30 year old you'll ever see.

Bizarre post. Check out the one above yours.

We can do better than Cisse. He has a dodgy first touch and that leads to him missing good scoring opportunities, which for a specialist finisher is a bit of a problem. I also suspect he's not the most popular figure in the dressing room.

We could argue all day about whether it was a red. The fact is he put himself at risk of getting a red, and that could have lost us the game. I'm not surprised his team mates had a go at him afterwards.

I think he'll be a success, but he needs to cut out the silly moments. That early challenge could have been a red.