The Prophet

...third time lucky. Dear me Castro.

Sanchez has wasted two great chances there.

Class finish from Santa Cruz, way too much time like.

Is it right Cissoko pulled out of Lyon's squad last night?

It's been a very quiet transfer window full stop. I fully expect it to kick into gear towards the back end of the week.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I can only a recall a couple of chances for QPR. One coming from an awful Ryan Taylor clearence, the other from Guthrie being dispossessed about forty yards from goal. First twenty minutes we were there for the taking and Bothroyd only troubled the fans sitting behind the goal.

The first twenty minutes appeared to combine the gameplan from the Man United game with the lackluster performance at Klanfield, we mixed it up without much success. Long balls were aimlessly punted to opposing players while the midfield looked sloppy in possession, credit to the back four for remining solid during this period. The change in shape seemed to revitalise us, for that Pardew must take as much credit as criticism for the inital start. We seemed to change to a makeshift 4-3-3, Best on the left, Taylor central and Ben Arfa and Jonas floating between central and right flank positions. From that point on we looked far more comfortable on the ball and started to get some decent pass and move going. The major concern for me was that we looked quite toothless for large parts of the game. The lack of movement from our main front man was embarrassing and while both Ben Arfa and Jonas looked dangerous, Best created and scored our only real chance of the game.

He was woeful for the first twenty minutes, he seemed to respond to the formation change and kick on from there.

Glad that's settled then, I can start planning my weekend.

Based on absolutely nothing I have a hunch we'll sign Erding on loan with an option to purchase in the summer.

To me at least, it certainly seems like there's some form of interest there, whether it's anymore than that remains to be seen. While I'd certainly like to see us pursue a left back down the line we've got more pressing priorities this particular window, although I wouldn't complain if he was to sign of course.

Would be an excellent signing, finally we would have a quality full back on each flank. The French press have been very accuarate with these thing in the past, certianly more so than a lot of the local hacks, so it's something to be hopeful on.

Aye.

I'm actually confused as to what you're getting at with that other than naming 3 hugely talented attacking players that don't play conventionally English roles in their respective teams. The three of them perhaps Silva aside don't do much defensive graft. They are in their teams because of their natural talent as opposed to how hard they work. If he's to play out wide though I am being somewhat unfair, Mata has Cole behind him, Nani has Smalling/Rafael, Ben Arfa would have Simpson who may well need the extra protection a hard wroking wide man would offer.

Have to agree like. The likes of David Silva, Juan Mata and Nani are so important to their teams because of their work ethic.

He'll have to get a visa first will he not?

We recently paid five million for Ben Arfa, six million for Santon and had a seven million deal for Maiga fall through. If the powers that be genuinely feel the player will improve and his value will increase I think position is irrelevant.

Euros, not pounds. Us odder £ 8.3375 aye okay Why wouldn't we? If we believe he'll improve hence increasing his worth it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

Not that it mattered but one of their goals came from one of the worst dives I've ever seen, while another didn't cross the line. Up the other end we were denied a clear penalty and had a goal wrongly disallowed. Bastards.

Was it Elm that was shown around Liverpool and then f***ed off home?

Is Morrison not a wide man? Don't think he's got a nailed down position. He played CM against Palace.

Is Morrison not a wide man?

It'll be interesting what sort of forward we'll (eventually) buy to compliment Ba. For a majority of the season Ba has played deeper than his partner up top. I thought we might go for a strong hold-up player but we appear to be targeting forwards who like to play on the shoulder and get in behind.

Someone might want to correct me on this, but Hoilett doesn't look like a natural wide player. He plays wide right in a 4-3-3 which allows him to cut inside and have a dig. Much like Ben Arfa I can see Pardew seeing him more of a player who plays in the hole rather than out wide.

Didn't realise, Valencia, Madrid and Barca are all on the same side of draw.