sixx

Really glad we brought in Merino. Can't be relying on this wanker.

Send him out on loan for a season. We probably won't be able to recuperate what we paid for him if we sell him in the summer so why not give him a chance to redeem a little bit of his value and confidence. Maybe (probably not) he improves massively and we can sell him for an okay price or decide to keep him.

I'd like to know this as well. Some on here mentioning a 'new spine' to the team which all sounds very, very unlikely and probably irresponsible. I highly doubt Rafa wants to bring in 5-6 new starters to the team and thereby dismantling the team he's trying to build. Two or three for the starting XI at best would be my guess. A centre back to challenge Lascelles' spot, a left winger for Gouffran and a no10 instead of Diame. Of course I would love to see the likes of Dummett replaced but I wouldn't be too hopeful and I'm not too confident either that the club brings in direct replacements for Hayden and Gayle. Are you sure about that? He was happy to chop and change his squad all the time at Liverpool. They made 79 signings during his tenure (not all are 1st team). Now that you mention it - not a 100% sure! Maybe I'm just trying to temper my expectations. At the very least I want to see competition for places as the likes of Lazaar, Gámez, Colback, Perez and Mitrovic are providing very little to nothing.

I'd like to know this as well. Some on here mentioning a 'new spine' to the team which all sounds very, very unlikely and probably irresponsible. I highly doubt Rafa wants to bring in 5-6 new starters to the team and thereby dismantling the team he's trying to build. Two or three for the starting XI at best would be my guess. A centre back to challenge Lascelles' spot, a left winger for Gouffran and a no10 instead of Diame. Of course I would love to see the likes of Dummett replaced but I wouldn't be too hopeful and I'm not too confident either that the club brings in direct replacements for Hayden and Gayle.

We won't be signing many players jumping straight into the first XI I'm afraid. I'm not even sure Ashley is willing to spend money on a striker when there's already one with probably 25 goals for this season on the books. We probably won't be signing a top class centre back either - probably a back up if Mbemba leaves though. Rafa has been allowed to sign a left back and a goalkeeper but neither of them have shown to be better than Darlow and Dummett so I highly doubt these will be areas where Rafa is allowed to splash some cash. However we probably/hopefully will spend money on a winger and a central midfielder. Atsu and Gouffran are leaving and Rolando Aarons uses a wheelchair for all I know. Preferably we should be bringing in two wingers. We have seen how vulnerable we are when Shelvey and/or Hayden are out so that's probably the position Rafa will put most emphasis on as Shelvey has been patchy in the Premier league and Hayden has no experience of it. Bottom line is - we have some foundations of a spine for a team and I'm not seeing Rafa or Ashley dismantling that any time soon. And that's okay for me as long as we address the problems of our most vulnerable areas.

Shrewd signing. Glad to be proved wrong on him and Clark.

We just can't create anything without Shelvey. Worrying.

Pedro being Chelsea's new Lampard. Loves a deflected goal.

Can we just take the time during the festive season to remember his bicycle kick? Glory days.

I wish I hadn't visualized that.

I honestly can't stand people like you.

Find it really strange how so many seem to be in a hurry to offload him. I can understand that if a serious bid comes in but for the first time in donkeys years we actually have some competition in the team and especially so up front. Thankfully Gayle is banging them in but should he go off the boil, get suspended or injured Mitrovic is pretty much our only other option and he offers something completely different to Gayle. Just feels like a lot of people are getting way ahead of themselves, strikers of his ilk aren't really easy to find plus the guy clearly loves the club and hasn't been all bad. Should be showing more patience and give him some time. It's not like we have much to lose.

Diame needs to be substituted. Doesn't really offer anything.

So annoying not even being able to see the game to know where it has gone wrong.

Tony Hibbert.

File under: Alan Shearer, Matt Le Tissier and Francesco Totti.

So tedious when players are slagged off for standing by their childhood clubs when they "could have" won more trophies should they have moved on to greener pastures - it's a boring game of would've, could've, should've. There's consistent complaining about no integrity being left in football, let's just appreciate and respect the little there's left of it.

I don't know what it is with you Englishmen and your pun headlines but this has to end.

I haven't paid notice whom we're drawing in the cup for years. Feels so good caring again.

Was a really nasty cynical foul. I really don't rate him as a player but he always gives his all(which usually is subpar) so I hope he's okay.

Atsu and Yedlin are very, very useful players to have around.

Now I want to see a Mitrovic hat trick from a Ritchie assist.

MITRO hahahah love that mad man

haha no he can't

So good to finally have someone good at set pieces.