Hughesy

McClaren played a blinder with him. I think it was understandable TBH, McClaren thought he wanted one up front and had to choose between a proven PL goalscorer and a kid who's just arrived from the Spanish second division. I'm glad he eventually worked out a way to use him with Mitrovic (if this wasn't always his plan) but I can understand, from a new manager's point of view, why he didn't bet the house on him to begin with. I could understand that if Perez was new to the league this season, but after playing so well last season, playing Perez is a bit of a no-brainer really.

True - I suppose I am just pointing out that he doesn't fit into the mould of a modern striker really, but that is rather obvious.

Absolutely no idea why he wasn't starting from the beginning of the season. Madness - such a good player.

If he was quick, he basically wouldn't be playing for us, would he?

Hooper was absolutely terrible in almost every way. The only thing he could do was kick the ball a long way.

Great finish

Does anyone know how much money NUFC/Ashley will have got for the use of SJP during the rugby?

I'm going to be D4 (not the mediocre kiwi rock band) twice I think so they'll become my team to support unless it's Ireland. At least in pot 4 you've got a few of the more cult teams - Wales, Iceland, Albania, Northern Ireland.

I'm absolutely certain I'll get a terrible games as I'm seeing a second seed versus a third seed, but whichever teams I'm watching, I'm going to choose a team and get their shirt. Maybe even learn the national anthem.

Colo was at fault for "the majority of them"? 1 - Mbabu didn't track Fernandinho when Silva dinked it towards the back post - Janmaat was marking Aguero and didn't track him - well worked goal 2 - Mbemba awful pass 3 - Janmaat was yards behind the rest of the line (this has happened for a few goals lately) - Aguero spun off Mbemba (who probably thought he was offside) and finished superbly - well worked goal 4 - Gouffran didn't track de Bruyne 5 - Aguero skipped-by Mbemba and finished superbly 6 - Aguero got in-between Colo and Lascellas to tap in Aguero was world class and sometimes you have to accept that he was far too good for our defenders to handle! Could you explain what Colo was doing for the first goal - I've watched it quite a few times now and his movements are inexplicable. Looks to me like he leaves his man and runs off to chase the ball. Although it looks to me like he has absolutely no idea who he is meant to be marking anyway. In addition, Colo is pretty awful on the second goal - doesn't seem to bother harrying Aguero at all. Dragged out of position for the third and leaves a huge gap where he should be. Marking absolutely no-one for the fourth as De Bruyne runs in behind him. So slow to anticipate on the 6th.

Was hoping that the match I was going to see would either involve a home nation or one of the big teams - unfortunately it looks like I'll have a second seed versus a third seed.

How is that Podcast? There was flagrant use of "shuttler" on the Football Ramble this week and NO tells me that's a no no. It is a good podcast - prefer Guardian Football Weekly myself as they take themselves a bit less seriously, but still worth a listen.

Does anyone else find Gabriele Marcotti on the Game podcast incredibly irritating man? His debating style involves shouting over other people, he is contrary often just for effect and lastly (but almost most importantly), I genuinely loathe the way he puts on the accent of the country of the particular player he is talking about (as long as they come from Spain, Italy, Portugal or France - doesn't seem to bother with any Northern European countries). Oh and always bangs on about MLS not being called 'the MLS'.

Had exactly the same conversation with my dad a few minutes ago - I think he needs a minimum of 4 points from the next two games. There is so much wrong with the club, it's almost impossible to know where to start.

Didn't watch the documentary so can't comment on how nice he comes across, but I always find it quite funny that the whole 'shagging OAP prostitute' thing doesn't come up (admittedly not on this particular intervirw, more just in general).

Would be absolutely brilliant to see him do that - obviously biased, but in a 23 man squad for a tournament there should always be a wildcard attacker like him I reckon, even if he is just there to bring off the bench.

Such a bad decision to let him go. I'll never get my head round it to be honest - such a shame that we aren't able to watch this guy play for us when we could have had him for his prime years.

This is the f***ing killer. Even at his fattest, most disinterested and greedy HBA would at least get you off your seat once a game. Yep. Both posts sum it up nicely. Yep - in any one season, HBA was a guarantee of winning you points by himself. Embarrassing that we got rid of him when we did - he is now equal second in Ligue 1's scoring charts.

I'll never understand why he doesn't just appoint a decent manager - on any analysis the recruitment 'blueprint' works far better if you invest in a quality manager.

It is imbalanced but has enough talent to be midtable with good manager

That's a massive exaggeration, like. Like f*** it is. Cabella £8m Thauvin £12m 8 + 12 = 20 - (whatever Marseille have paid and will pay in the future for Cabella's services). I don't think this equals £25m. Seems widely accepted that cabella was nearer 12 than 8. In any event we ended paying hba off and he was an asset.

That's a massive exaggeration, like. Like fuck it is.

Would give anything to see him back instead of colback. I couldn't give a shit about how often he loses the ball - he's better than colback. He actually tries to make things happen.

As if Tuchel was going anywhere else but Dortmund tbf According to some telegraph journalist, premier league clubs (plural) turned him down.. But yeah, probably not us.

You have to wonder why didn't just keep hba when you look at cabella and thauvin. We basically spent 25 mill to not adequately replace hba. Genius.