ExiledGeordie

If he can stay fit, as many others have said I'd like to see Wijnaldum dropped back and De Jong play as a number 10. Would offer assists and another genuine goal threat.

Surely soon to be gone

Good post. I'm in the same place. I want to enjoy supporting us for a while again. If it turns out that he's talking s**** there's plenty time to suffer later. Exactly how I feel. If they invest wisely in Jan and spend properly next summer I might start to think there has been some form of change in ethos. I'm still too sceptical however as there's just been too much bullshit already over the past years. I don't believe Ashley has suddenly decided he wants us to compete and win something, it's all about the £££££ for him. He clearly started to shit it when the fans started boycotting which didn't look great for his brand with swathes of empty seats live on camera.

He's a proper smug c***

Full on Michael Douglas meltdown like in Falling Down

Exactly, the problem is what we've done before under Ashley

Exactly the type of thing Ashley would do. Buy a few in, sell one out

that's just a half-empty, half-full way of looking at the same thing none of us really know what mclaren is really thinking at this stage, imo he's either come into the club and seen what an utter shambles it is from top to bottom and decided to build slowly starting by not conceding millions of goals and getting raped week in week out or his natural inclination is to be dour and defensive which some seem to think it is in fairness to mclaren 'building from the back' is a tried and tested strategy of both his generation of managers and the biggest influence on his career, fergie...worth remembering how fragile the confidence is/was of a lot of our senior players tbh, as much as anything that's probably not something you can just change overnight Well summed up

He's a young lad and the red card discussion aside McClaren and the coaches have some work to get him to channel his aggression and passion appropriately. I don't have any doubt that they'll be able to get the best out of him as he has so much to offer. It will just take a little bit of time for him to get used to the flow of the game here and realise what he can and can't do.

I think there are signs of green shoots and the new players look like they'll do a good job but I agree there's still a lot of question marks. Still not fully convinced about the defence and we need another striker really. Four signings isn't really enough and few key injuries will really show a lack of depth in the squad.

They'll have to bring in a striker if Cisse is sold. We know what they're like though.

Robbie Savage is unbearable to listen to

A red may have been harsh but it was a clumsy, silly challenge to make given his nonsensical bookings already this season. The studs were up and it was on his shin so you're immediately giving a card happy ref the chance to send you off in my book. The lad obviously has a lot to offer but will need to learn how to use passion and aggression better. Can't have him missing games all the time due to reds and yellows.

That's probably why Mbemba has been chosen over Saylor at CB

I'd be very happy with that, but I doubt it'll happen. Especially given the opposition. Perhaps if we were against a lesser team we'd consider going a little more attacking with that CM partnership. (technically I'd dump Sissoko for SDJ, but I'd be content with either) Have to say that does sound like an excellent set up when we're up and running properly.

I can't see us signing anyone else now but I'm trying to remain hopeful that another defender will come in

Not sure but he's got a decent amount of game time for a guy with no pre season If he's not sold I still think he'll have a part to play this season assuming McClaren rates him. He's much better than Colback, and there are some games where he might be better suited than Anita if we need a more physically imposing defensive midfielder. I agree, I could see him working very well with Anita"if" McClaren can coach him back into the player he was under Hughton. When he was patrolling in front of the back four, winning the ball then just giving it to another player to distribute he was very good and it really made a difference for the defence. Pardew as with other players basically uncoached him so he went away from what he did very well picking up awful habits and Hollywood passes/shots. He may just be too far gone but he's one I'm intrigued to see if McClaren can get back to something of a decent player.

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Advocaat walk away and who could blame him? From what I remember he was basically told if he stayed on for a year there'd be significant reinvestment, 5-6 serious signings. No wonder he's narked at the lack of action from the board. I can't stand Micky Gray either but Short banning him is Ashleyesque,

He's played 20 minutes ffs

Definitely still need defensive reinforcements. Hope at least a left back or CB arrives before the window shuts.

The big difference for me now is that my interest has been rekindled. I'll never be convinced by Ashley and I'm still very sceptical but I'm intrigued to see how the new signings develop, how are style of play develops and to see signs of quality coaching for the first time in years. Under Pardew and then Carver I'd completely lost interest to the point where I didn't even bother watching games on TV and almost enjoyed seeing Pardew suffer with losses. It's very early days but atleast there are signs of some green shoots...

If you've got great acceleration and ball control and can properly attack defenders it can open up space for others. Hoping he has that effect for Winjaldum, Sissoko etc....

If McClaren can get Tiote to anything close to the form under Hughton when he did all the simple things extremely well before he started hitting Hollywood shots and passes, I'd be inclined to have him start next to Anita in place of Colback. Anita keeps things moving very well and if Tiote could patrol the area in front of the back four well then he could just win the ball and give it to Anita, Winjaldum, Thauvin etc

No way should he be anywhere near the pitch with Thauvin, Perez and Sissoko. Maybe the odd cameo to use his speed for 10-15 mins at the end of the game but that's it.

With Thauvin, Winjaldum, Sissoko there's some serious pace in the side going forward