Altamullan

What’s this talk of an ‘us’ kemosabe?

Take your point re need a certain skill set, but reckon both players mentioned have the three attributes you list.

Only a matter of time.

That’ll teach him to pick Mitro...

Here’s hoping...

Oh dear, they'll have to change the name. League One Longing... Lusts?

Seems a number of people also see Ritchie as the centre of three supporting attacking roles (to put it diffferently) could work/return his strengths and free up the potential of two pacey wingers with more likelihood of going past a man (skill and/or speed). Atsu on the right and Aarons or Murphy on the left would/could offer more. Not sure if they would leave the flanks anymore unprotected than they are, not least as I would fancy Ritchie to effectively close down and have a better chance of regaining possession than Perez. Trying not to be too reactive, following an embarrassing (at times) showing at Burnley, but I do think it is a time for creative solutions. Really hoping Rafa mixes it up and trys to get more attacking threat into the team, even if constrained within his preferred system(s).

Grayson was sacked 17 minutes after the final whistle (BBC Sport). Quote from Bolton manager (Phil Parkinson) made me laugh, for some reason: " You normally go for a drink in the office. I will probably just get on the coach and give him a call later in the week."

Well, ex-Everton/Man Utd so that increases the chances; add to the mix experience of being in the shadow of a more successive neighbour brother and he sounds a perfect match. [whoops...just read subsequent posts]

Stoke City 1-2 Leicester City Huddersfield Town 0-0 West Bromwich Albion Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth Southampton 2-0 Burnley Swansea City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion West Ham United 1-3 Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Crystal Palace Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal Chelsea 1-3 Manchester Utd Everton 2-1 Watford

Murphy woefully short of confidence, Perez being Perez, Diame being Diame, Joselu very little threat. Time to earn the big bucks Rafa. Mix it up. Tactics and/or personnel. Perhaps harsh if Hayden, Merino, Aarons and Gayle not fit but we can't continue to play Perez at 10 (the number of people on here who had this position as top transfer target--even in January) and not expect to get punished/fail to make the most of the limited opportunities we're going to have in the final third. Would love to see Mitro with Ritchie behind given a run out, with Atsu right and Aarons left; even if just in a training game. Ritchie has the energy, vision, strength and determination to play the 10 role and doesn't really have the speed or tricks of Aarons, Atsu or Murphy (albeit only surfaced in our shirt v Bradford...). Fixtures wise we should do ok in November, but get the sense our luck has run out and lack of quality is showing through. Come on RB, summon up something special.

Redundant words from the still employed Lawrie Grayson.

We actually look half decent when he plays. As well as the direct impact on the game, he seems to half a calming influence. All looked a bit frantic in there yesterday, or predicable with Shelvey looking to launch it.

are you forgeting that he's Spanish? Alreet Александар...

Hope you're right, suspect you're wrong.

Don't agree at all but their keeper has the highest save percentage fwiw pope comes for crosses better, & i believe the rebound from elliot that resulted in the goal he would've handled better And Dracula shits in the woods...

There maybe Thauvin ahead...

True. But after watching that match, we were embarrassing at times.

That's Messi surely? (More than one way)

Atsu receives ball on left wing, nobody moves/zero options other than try and dribble.

f*** me a decent shot. And Gayle coming on... For Diame!!!! We're going to score

...

Hope Diame is off for Murphy.

Surely have to see Gayle?

Hayden for Perez. Bit late.