Parky

We basically still need at least one quality CD one DM (a proper one), a left back and maybe another two F/str (with movement and intelligence) to play from the back. 100m might cover it.

The psychology is that he can't admit it but having to address it and discuss it is a massive unwanted distraction to the whole group. It really doesn't bode well.

It seems to infect the most talented dna first.

The first signs of the virus has been spotted. We understand the formerly thought to be benign strains of PardacuntaplagueC said to be lying dormant around East Croydenh have awakened and taken out a local McDonalds...First responders say it is on its way to Selhurst Park..And early signs are that Zaha may have been infected...More as we get it.

Slow walk to oblivion.

It begins.

Support from the second line doesn't arrive quick enough for the 4141 and clearly Cisse doesn't understand it (the striker first move should be toward the ball and he runs away from it). The 433 with one holding is the only way I can see of us creating chances with one wing/f told to come inside to make the 2 and the other available for crossing positions. Would have worked with Hatem and Abeid.

Worth a try.

It actually worked really well on one occasion against Watford that led to de Jong's chance. Mbemba carried it out and they pressed up 4 attackers. He played an incisive ball to Wijnaldum who took it on the turn and immediately ran at the gaps left. 3 passes and we were in a great position. Yup.

Yeah but we just don't have the players for a reliable and penetrative 4231. It turns into a 451 first sign of trouble. Couple this with the lack of leadership and intelligence on the pitch and you have a recipe for disaster. We don't have the really solid DM and Winj is finding it hard to penetrate the second line (go past the others covering mf)...Which it seems the plan is when they have the odd chance to make it work. Plus it looks like we have the wrong strikers for this, neither are mobile or have much real pace.

One thing I will say is that rejigging a side to start playing more from the back takes time (maybe that's where the 10 games comes from) and nearly always unless you are Rodgers and flip flop it produces results in the long term. This probably sounds hyper optimistic but I have seen fleeting signs of players trying to do things differently from the Pardew punts and pressing from the bad old days.... Quite a few times one of our CD's has brought the ball all the way past the half way line and played into rotating midfielders or wide to winger in space... It might not have time to work as we're all aware as games tick by and as others have mentioned McC is somewhat hamstrung by a few disenchanted players which must the nightmare of every manager. I'm not defending his other blunders but there seems to be some method to it all. Poor fucker he must really be trying to drum it into them.

Some fine reading the past few pages.

Thauvin although early days looks like a vanity purchase. His stats are very average 1.2 in 8 goals and 1.1 in 8 assists in the easier French league. Looks like another one got in not as a finished article or close to but one that can be profited on at some point. I do like the fact that he tries to take players on and it will take a couple of months to pick up the pace of the league....Honestly not sure if he's athletic enough or has that burst of pace to do real damage. Hope he does obviously.

Sissoko should be the lone striker. Mobile, pacey and decent finish. As soon as he gets the ball everyone in the vicinity has to run around him for the 2nd phase. I can't think of anything else.

Would cost about 25m in pay offs and heavy money for Klopp. They won't sanction it. My guess is they will give him more money at Xmas which he will spend on Spanish players of doubtful pedigree.

You've got about 70m worth of bad buys out on loan, the club is now at the heart of a cyclone of confusion. He looks ready to go but won't resign.

You can only really play one up top if you have a gaggle of pacey and talented AM/F's pushing on. We haven't.

Fantasy land.

5 yeas past his sell buy date, I guess him and supermarkets have a lot in common. He'll end up living in a bus shelter with the rabbit on a string begging for coin.

It's like at a party where there is always a bad room, you feel it as soon as you go in.

Too many lightweight midfielders who can't get a grip in the engine room. I'd like to put it all down to the manager, but we really could do with some height and presence down the spine of the side. Yup.

Winjambum will be alright. Needs another 5/6 games.

Let loose the Wullie!

They've got the things we haven't..Pace, power, high tempo and a Machiavelli of a manager. We're mostly skinny white boys with hot birds.