Lotus

If Sissoko had some end product to his game he'd be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has absolutely zero composure in the final third and offers little no goal threat so what exactly does he offer a top team? N'Zogbia scored goals and created chances consistently. Sissoko definitely looks like the better player and perhaps has the potential to be better player but at the moment he's all fart and no s*** He was never originally an attacking type. More defensive, over time his role and development has altered. This is why he's so frustrating, he's had his natural ability coached out of him and adapted to suit Pardew. Basically was meant to be a Vieira type or defensive type, and Pardew shoved him out wide on the right. Genius. Tbf he positioning an awareness is horrible for a defensive player. He only sees what's in front of him. It's true though, Toulouse fans will tell you this. Was a naturally gifted DM. He pressed on in his last season with them after the departure of Capoue to Spurs, starting to advance forward. In the early days of Liverpools courting of him it was for his abilities as a holding midfield player. He's totally changed his game. Yes maybe unrecognisable as a holding midfield type now. You could argue similar cases on other players that have had natural roles coached out of them. We have been great at playing players out of position or shoving them where necessary. Sissoko left before Capoue did.... Also, Capoue played deeper of the two and Sissoko was the one who used to break forward, often on the end of some excellent passing from Capoue who arguably looked the better player.

Just seen that Scott Parker plays for them.

Will be a decent squad player this season. Probs won't look out of place starting either. I want to see better players in every position on the pitch, not just his. Think he'll do ok next season though.

Glad he's had a high profile tournament. Good for him and good for us. Not bothered about him wanting to leave in the slightest. We need to build a good squad that will grow stronger over the season to provide a good bedrock for next season when we're hopefully back in the Prem. The right thing to do would be to cash in on him.

Any news of the transfers for the division we're actually in?

Wasnt on about Crouch specifically. Just pointing that Rafa has it in him. Ngog, Nunez, Dossena, Voronin, Aquilani etc Liiked Aquilani in Italy but i always thought his eyes were too close together to be a really top player.

I like to remember the best about people and he had plenty of good games here if we're fair. He had a physique that wasn't really suited to the league but he had a skill set good enough to make it work, for a while at least. Could read the game very well and i've rarely seen a CB make interceptions as often as he did. Rather those than last ditch tackles any day. He certainly had his rough days but don't we all. The letter was a nice touch.

Looks a clever player with good awareness.

Perez.

Never mind all this, who have Rotherham signed?

We will miss him imho. We need to find another player who can carry the ball forward at pace.

If we keep him and Mbemba at the club and fit we'll have a good platform. I'd say we'd probably have one the best defences in the Championship. Would be a very good foundation to build a team.

Seriously struggle to believe this chump won't screw Benitez around. He's done it to everybody else without exception. As if he'd change.

Wonder if we'll look at Will Hughes again. Probably better than Shelvey.

Who was it saying that Benitez used to get Ayala to shout and abuse the players who weren't trying enough? If so maybe Benitez is trying a similar method here. Lascelles is big enough to be intimidating even if he lacks any experience. Moussa is another one he could and maybe has recruited for this kind of 'foreman' behaviour.

So many of our players have been sh*te under Pardew, Carver and Mclaren it's almost enough to think that the standard of manager can have a profound influence.

Well, he had some excellent games for us and i'd say the EPL is tougher than ligue 1.

I didn't watch all of last night but, if we're going to sign a player for whom passing is their greatest strength you do need the other half of that to be functioning. He does NEED people to pass to. The movement was so bad yesterday and Everton had been tactically set up well to reduce our options. We didn't look like we had had any discussions on how to deal with this. Very, very poor preparation from us.

We really need a tall, powerful CB who knows what he's doing.

Gillian McKeith

Gap year scum..

He only had Fletcher to mark for the 3rd. Was literally no one else anywhere near him. One player to watch. Lost him.

I knew Ian W would come in here and take the heat off me. Phew!