ponsaelius

Agree like - I think he's comfortably ahead of Ba and Remy.

Harsh on Longstaff to compare him with shite like Carrick.

Personally I'd be mortified if we finished below West Ham now - unless it was offset by some deep cup runs.

Enjoyed PSV when I went few years ago. I like how there's a street next door to the stadium named after Ronaldo.

Looking increasingly like Real will be the only Spanish team in the last 16. Can't be arsed to check but must be forever since that was the case. Feels like it's been coming, mind.

Dont want him, greasy prick.

I must be one of few who is actually not really bothered about signing a designated defensive midfielder. I thought we probably needed one in the summer but I think if you can set up a team to play without one then that is far preferable. If you get the requisite energy, workrate and quality on the ball from a midfield 3 you don't need somebody who is exclusively there to enforce. Adding more quality and depth to the midfield area - sure.

There's a video on YouTube of all his goals for us. There is the full repertoire in there. The two identical screamers, headers from corners and open play, half volleys in the box, the dribble and finish Vs Cardiff, free kick vs Spurs, a cool as you like penalty. So good to see him in a team now that gets the best of his abilities.

Emery doesn't start work until the 1st November mind.

Ashworth made clear recently that we have to be open to selling players and it will happen. That's why you should generally look to make big investment in 22-25 age bracket first teamers and then have a lot more cheap punts in the 16-21 bracket (see Kuol). 28 isn't a great age generally to sign a player at because you're buying at a premium but also writing off any future value. Indeed sometimes players in their 30s are better value because at least the sunk cost is lessened so you can accept it being a write off for the benefit they bring (see Trippier and Burn). Obviously with his contract situation Trossard could still represent good value - but definitely depends on the price for me.

Don't rate McKennie personally. Don't think he's an upgrade on the likes of Joelinton and Willock. Would be more of a squad padder which I think we need to avoid generally.

Disagree personally. The moves for Botman and Isak (and other players we went for) this summer show a shift to bringing the average age down compared to January when we needed an injection of seniority. Pope is slightly different because he's a goalkeeper where age isn't as crucial and there also isn't huge value considerations in keepers. I think we'd look at Trossard if the price was right but I definitely think we'd prefer players under 25 from now on (and rightly we should do).

Should definitely be aiming for top four IMO. If there's any chance of it it supercharges progress and plugs loads of issues with FFP and 'Market Value' sponsorship deals. Obviously it's not likely considering the squad depth but it has to be the aim. You fall short and it's still a great season in 7th.

Not sure Howe is the biggest Targett fan in the world, but the ability to switch to a back 3 when Trips gets forward seems a pretty fundamental part of our system at the moment. Particularly whole Maxi is out on the other side.

21-4, 0-4 now

Fulham are flying like.

Lose today and we're right back in the relegation mix. Worrying.

Definitely rather have a winger who can play both sides than Maddison personally.

Tbf he is only 19. I think he's a canny player - just not got any dominant physical attributes to make him stand out.

I watched Tuesdays and Thursdays games on an ancient iPad on a very old version of IOS and it ran absolutely perfectly. Watched our game on Wednesday on relatively new Fire Smart TV with an ethernet connection and it buffered and lagged the whole way through. So no idea.

Al Hilal are probably the biggest club in Asia in terms of historic success. Be interesting to see what kind of crowd there is if it open to supporters.

I actually agree that the Ronaldo one was more of a pen. On the replay I was convinced it was gonna be a pen as Trippier completely took him out as he was shooting. I thought the Sancho one by contrast was a dive and Longstaff never actually touched him.

The bloke played 47, 44 and 41 games over the last three years at Sociedad. He was signed as a sure fire replacement for the oft injured Wilson. Not going to lie it's extremely frustrating that he's come in and immediately been crocked.

Don't think Howe massively rates Targett like. I think it was a position we looked at upgrading in the summer but settled on continuity.

Tbf they'd have all had Ryanair flights back to Dublin/trains back to London to catch.