Hughesy

Find it really bizarre that we seem to have a massively imbalanced squad that doesn't work on any level currently. Almost impossible to think a midfield set up that is defensively solid and actually offers a genuine attacking threat and our strikers seem completely ill suited to the football we are trying to play. What I find odd about it is that it can't be every other team in the Championship (admittedly we've played two) has an amazing blend of two Rob Lee-esque central midfielders who can scored goals, create and tackle or strikers that are strong, quick, good finishers and can hold the ball up well.

Fully prepared to be shot down on this one - but have we just decided to write off a series of players too early? Take Riviere for example - I fully appreciate that the bloke looked massively out of his depth in the Premier League, but in many ways he seems to fit the bill for what we need in a striker (or at least a back up striker). He's quite quick and mobile, he's got decent enough strength and presence and despite being a very different league has scored the odd goal in Ligue 1. I'd say similar for Saivet whilst fully acknowledging the fact that being a defensive midfielder in Ligue 1 is a very different proposition to the Championship, but we didn't even give the bloke a chance. He might, just might, have the mobility to add something to our central midfield. It's not exactly a high hurdle currently.

Personally I think Tuchel is a better manager than Klopp.

Yep can't log on. Helpful.

I'm behind the flag idea, but it wouldn't necessarily be needed if people turned up, like they used to, earlier than 2 minutes before the game started in their desperation to try and cram in another pint before kick off. No idea why there has been such a shift in when people get to the ground, but it really hinders the atmosphere.

Who is NUFC Leazes on here? He seems hurt.

I'm sure I say this every year... but seems much harder to pick a team this year. Haven't really got much idea as to which teams are going to do well and with a load of new managers, a lot of the expensive choices have question marks over how regularly they'll play.

Find nothing more annoying than the argument that you shouldn't need to rely on certain decisions of the referee going in your favour. Get the penalty we deserved against Fulham and it's a completely different game.

Can't really blame Anichebe for that - it was an horrific tackle. I'd rather just not buy him because he's not very good

Thought his movement looked decent enough and he looks quite quick but complete lack of service. Really think we need Mitrovic back to give us a bit of presence upfront though - especially if we are using Ritchie to deliver crosses into the box.

Needs some options around him though - Fulham worked out pretty quick that he was our real outlet and kept putting two men on him.

Think we need to find a way to utilise him to be honest since, for al his faults, he can pick a pass and play it and our central midfield needs to be more creative.

Looked very good tonight - he can control a football which makes a bit of a difference.

Worried about the lack of ideas in that team - still have a tendency to look like a bunch of strangers.

Absolutely woeful footballer. Always has been, always will be.

Good point made re mbemba - if he's away for a month, we absolutely need 4 centre halves capable of playing at championship level.

Look up Shearer's scoring record upto age 22, compared to Mitrovic. I'm aware of Shearer's less than prolific record prior to signing for Blackburn... That doesn't mean Mitrovic will be just as prolific. Do you think Mitrovic will become a 20 + a season man throughout his career? By the way my post isn't condemning the lad or writing him off, even though I personally think he's average. I just don't think he is a goalscorer and never will be. It doesn't, of course it doesn't. But you can't say, "he'll never be prolific" when he's at a stage of his career where he's more prolific than Shearer was at that age. If he becomes a consistent 15 goal a season striker, that would be superb. I'd agree, 15 goals a season would be fine, damn fine especially if he was to improve his general game. To me he is a 9-10 a season man in the PL and has massive limitations. I'd prefer to not see him starting games for us on a regular basis like, Gayle looks far more dangerous, far more capable in front of goal and a better general fit. He got 9 this season, in a team managed mostly by McClaren at 21 years old. Do you really think his ceiling is just one more goal? He probably had less than 25 starts as well. He will definitely be a 10-15 goals forward, at least. This x 100.

I'm not actually discussing Mitrovic at the moment. I merely wanted to know the statistics behind Cole's conversion rate.

Out of interest, do you have any stats for that (although it was probably in an era before the stats were even kept)? My memory of Cole was that he was a great striker obviously, but he did miss quite a few chances.

Simon Bird's tweet just now - Sunderland have had "3 top half, top flight finishes in 60 years". Wow.

Controversially, I don't think that Bruce is actually that bad a manager. Wouldn't want him to be our manager, but I think he's a bit underrated.

Think he'll go on to do well for Liverpool - there is a quality player in there and he'll benefit from playing in good team. Having said that - £25 million is a fair price and probably best to offload if he wants to leave.

Do slightly worry about the balance of our central midfield - I don't want to buy into the myths about the Championship but it seems imperative to me that we have some energy and dynamism in there - which Shelvey and Colback just don't offer.

Happy for Ronaldo - never get the hate he inspires.

This deserved to be noticed.