Hughesy

I think Mitrovic's movement is quite good and he is able to fashion a bit of space for himself in the box pretty well, it's more the fact that he never seems to get his body position sorted or his feet in the right place when a cross comes in.

I think the crucial fact you are missing is that he wasn't particularly effective as a striker and had his position changed.

Yep - go to BT Sport 2 and press red button.

Sampaoli leaving chile apparently. Should be in for him straightaway.

Zola wasn't too shabby. Although Gabbiadini's goalscoring record looks pretty average.

I'm convinced that Ashley's business empire will come crumbling down around him at some point in the future. Probably wishful thinking, but I've just got a feeling it could start going wrong for him.

Some stuff on the Chronicle possible putting 2 and 2 together getting 5 about Wissam Ben Yedder now following Armstrong, Aarons and Thauvin on Twitter.

Carroll is light-years ahead of Mitrovic in the air like. Our main outlet in attack is Janmaat and Sissoko flinging s**** in from the right, Carroll would be far more suited to dealing with it. Not saying he would be amazing like, but Mitrovic isn't going to dominate any CB pairing in the air like Carroll can. Think Mitrovic holds the ball up better than Carroll and uses his body better, but Carroll is much better in attacking the ball and a better finisher with his head.

Yeah we were the better team. Definitely should have got something from the game. We created the better chances.

He was very good today - looked like haas getting back to something approaching his best.

He's a finisher, when you create as few chances as us you need someone who puts more away than most - Mitrovic is getting chances (not many admittedly) and missing them all. To be honest, I'm not convinced that Austin is that great - I've never been impressed by him when I've watched. I'm just surprised people are so convinced he would be scoring that many goals in our team. I suppose we won't ever know unless we get him, but I can absolutely see why we didn't spend 15 million on him.

Not sure why people are talking as if Austin is a proven PL striker. It is hardly a given he'd have been a success for us at all - especially given he relies on service more than Mitrovic.

Played very well today - as people have pointed out, he just looks a bit low on confidence in relation to his finishing at the moment. Bags of potential.

Not really sure how you can argue with the bit you've helpfully bolded.

Yeah because it's totally unheard of for a good player to lose form and confidence and end up as a worse player.

I think it was a close one between Shaka and Pav, but I always thought Shaka was the better keeper personally.

He is now performing at a worse level in France than he was previously. I know you have an obsession with Mbiwa's lack of physicality, but Mbiwa was widely regarded as a top defender in France before he came to us. He now appears to be struggling in the same league.

It does look like Pardew may have broken Mbiwa.

The most painful part, apart from the irrepressible sycophantic tone, is undoubtedly the cringeworthy introductions.

Hiddink would be an interesting appointment, given his last 3 jobs have ended pretty badly (albeit at international level).

Thing that irritates me most about him is that he seems to take so long to decide whether to run with it and actually counter quickly or to pass it - he does a lot of hesitating on the ball.

Absolutely crazy guy - love him. Enjoyed him going head to head with that dirty little s*** Alli. Made a real difference when he came as we had someone to hold it up.

So much stronger than you think - holds onto the ball so well and is always creating a bit of space for himself with his first touch.

Really good again - works so hard.

Got Wales vs Russia - pretty happy with that.