Altamullan

Siem de Jong, joining Luuk on the pitch 32 minutes to go (stretchers at the ready...).

Like the idea of creating the core of a team asap, bedded-in and used to each other a system. We finished 3rd in 93-94 (?) with the core of the Div 1 winning side. They believed in themselves, knew one another and how to play together. And btw, superstitious types, OCD is by definition a disorder; and keeping your/our 'light under a bushel' doesn't do anybody any good. We look a class apart, enjoy daring to dream. I know I am. In Rafa we trust.

Not everybody is superstitious chaps, thankfully. Also think January window is relevant to this, so worth talking about now.

Squad Rob Elliot Karl Darlow Matz Sels Tim Krul Freddie Woodman Ciaran Clark Grant Hanley Jamaal Lascelles Chancel Mbemba Kevin Mbabu Achraf Lazaar Paul Dummett Massadio Haidara DeAndre Yedlin Jesus Gamez Jamie Sterry Vurnon Anita Isaac Hayden Jack Colback Matt Ritchie Jonjo Shelvey Mohammed Diame Rolando Aarons Yoan Guoffran Cheick Tiote Christian Atsu Siem de Jong Henri Saivet Dwight Gayle Ayoze Perez Daryl Murphy Aleksandar Mitrovic Emmanuel Rivière Adam Armstrong As the optimism about immediate promotion increasingly looks like being justified, we have two transfer windows to ensure the strength in depth to survive and thrive. Which of the current crop of players do you think should (or will) still be here, assuming 2017-18 is indeed a Premier League season? Which positions do you think we will most need to strengthen and who do you think is a realistic target to fill that positions?

We might move a couple, but never without cover. Rafa is far too sensible/risk-averse to take unnecessary chances. Wouldn't be surprised to see a top-class (or on the up) left forward coming in. The way Brighton are going, Knockaert is out of the question (unfortunately) so no idea who. I suspect he will believe Gayle can make the step-up, not sure he rates Mitro as highly so wouldn't be shocked to see him 'upgraded'. If someone is available in January, then maybe even then.

I thought Brighton and Huddersfield were the best teams we've seen at SJP this season, and the league table is bearing this out, at the moment. We lost to Huddersfiled, but it was a good time to play us (early/bedding-in new players) but even though we beat Brighton, it was far from comfortable and pretty even IIRC, even though they had a player sent-off. Injuries permitting, they don't have our depth of squad, I can see Chris H and his chaps giving us stiff competition for the trophy, and Huddersfield won't be too far away.

Guoffran=Shelvey, me too. Sheer amount of light being reflected off his dome.

My little Asperger is really angry at that one guy who decided not to go. It's so untidy and disorganised, right? Just pressgang someone in there to make the number right. Drag someone in and give him a pie or something. With you, mate. All for a bit of symmetry. Maybe, the little Aspeger of a jobs worth Health & Safety Officer would go into meltdown if another bod turned-up though. (Just realised. That only makes any kind of sense if they were full... , I blame excessive Xmas grog)

Just noticed the attendance: 6,665! Going to seem unreal for their players at SJP.

Anybody got eyes on the his? How's Yedlin doing, does he look steadier now?

Another loss? Shame. Pardew's record at Palace must have more Ls than all the town names in Wales.

Saying: 'Every faith in you Matt...' [thinking: pull your socks up you cockney-sweaty...hat-wearing ...mumble...expletive...mumble...]

Well chuffed with that line-up. Ritchie and Atsu, with Hayden and Shelvey. That must be our strongest midfield.

Maybe you did and just can't remember it, we just need a US mag to have seen a couple of skunks on his morning run, and it's nailed on

I'm probably more disappointed with Ritchie because I was expecting him to be offering a lot more than he currently is. He ripped this league up when he played for Bournemouth 2 seasons ago and it just isn't happening this time around with us. I hope the lad comes good in the second half of the season otherwise my opinion of him won't change. Get Atsu in for him. I feel the same, but tempered by his early form, undoubted ability to place a ball (when not trying too hard/off-form) and that his effectiveness for AFCB in the Championship no doubt varied as well. He'll come right, and would quite like to see if he and Atsu could play together, even if switching wings periodically through the match.

That is really touching. What a lovely little lad. His parents must have felt so moved by what SAFC did for him, and so proud of how he took it all in his stride.

Silent smug look = cheaper (and more environmentally friendly ) than hiring an aeroplane, yet wonderfully just and satisfying. Roll-on the day.

It's nice to see. Good on him.

And he makes contact with the ball, with his actual foot, before...aye before ... he makes contact with the man with his hands!

'Kin hell, some power on that!!! Gtfi

Occasional glimpses of quality (mainly Shelvey and Hayden) but we look short of ideas. Hopefully the directness of Atsu might force something.

Err, I've never said this like When you stated 'that would be like asking McDonald's to change the recipe of their fries.' What did you mean? Not "Rafa will never play two-strikers/4-4-2" You sort of put those words into my mouth there, for some reason. I think wanting Rafa to switch to 4-4-2 is pretty moronic given 4-5-1 is the system he's played for most of his career with great success. He might play 4-4-2 now and then, he might even switch to it full time at some point, I don't think he's allergic to the formation or out. The wish for him to move away from his preferred system (that is currently working to great effect) is daft. So in response to some people desperately wanting Rafa to mix things-up, and flexibly use Gayle with Mitro, you post: 'That would be like asking McDonald's to change the recipe of their fries.' When what you really meant was: 'That would be like asking McDonald's to occasionally have promotions and add something to their menu?' Might have been quicker to just say "I agree." Or just nod along and say nowt.

Somebody reminded me the other day of when me and a friend tried to start a new Gary Speed song at the Arsenal cup final. Standing either side of Wembley Way (somewhat the worse for wear...), as thousands streamed through, one shouting "Gary..". The other: "...Speed." "He scores them with his heed! Gary Speed, Gary Speed!" Repeat and swap 'heed' with 'both feet,' when you get bored. Bit of a random 'share' but it is just that I felt instantly happy at the memory, and then instantly sad at his loss and the circumstances. It doesn't go away. RIP.

Are you him?? The more he posts, the more I think it is tbh. Hi Christian! Well, it's an idea. I think gallows is more likely to be mad Malachy the Makem minge muncher. Well known local football strategist. Off to Hearts with Cathro, so I've heard.