Happinesstan

Get in Gouff. Ref's been canny mind.

Well the question has changed. From 'is he good enough for the Prem' to 'is he good enough for the championship?'

I'm not surpised to see Hayden rested, Rafa stated in his recent interview that Hayden would provide competition for Diame and Shelvey. Disapointed to see Colback in his place as I think we would do better with 2 up top. I'd even rather go with 5 at the back than Colback. Still here's hoping he has a good game.

We're hardly persisting with him. He has made a contribution to our unbeaten run, we lost the 2 before he came into the team.

If he can help Barnsley get points against promotion rivals then it is all porno. He could turn out to be our most influential player, and he's not even here.

Soccer is a girls game in the US because the boys won't play sports without their protective clothing.

Also late in the second, I know they had a man sent off but we controlled it at a good pace and didn't succumb to the 'harder to play against 10 men' banana skin. There was even a moment when Dummett looked like a capable footballer.

If there is no argument that's his favoured position then definitely. If teams are prepared to leave space he'll be better running into that space from the right. But if teams are going to sit back then he can get a quick ball in from the left that either of our forwards could benefit from. He's a real asset to our chances this season.

He's probably Freddie. You can do that these days. Times have changed, when I was at school there was a lad who swore he'd been christened Jimmy, but the teachers insisted he MUST be James. Weird, thinking about it.

We might end up playing a 4312 with our FB acquisitions, and limited winger options. Ritchie with a free role could be effective.

Let's hope he and Hanley can both benefit from Rafa's coaching team, and philosophies. Is Hanley really only 25? This could be a massive season for him, I think Lascelles, because he's captain, and Mbemba, cos he's Mbemba, will be our main Defensive pairing, but I'm sure their will be times that we switch to 3 CBs, and Mbemba will be going to ACON, or will he? I can definitely see Hanley developing into a defender who is ready for the PL, Clark has had a crack with a lesser management team and could earn himself a second crack at it. I find it hard to find negatives in what the club are doing under the wise guidance of Senor Benitez. Even if they amount to nothing more than Williamson level, I still trust Rafa to get more from them than Pardew, or Carver did.

Me too, if that is his preferred position. But isn't it wonderful that he CAN play on the left also, you know a little bit of versatility. Our problem, for a long time, has always been no plan B, Ritchie is a whole plan B just on his own.

I doubt it, He's an ambitious player at an ambitious club, surrounded by ambitious players and coaches. He isn't going to be the main man, expected to deliver in every game. He is going to be an option, amongst many, that when used in the correct scenario, could be devastating for them. He might just make it to Madrid after all.

It makes perfect sense that our best player can play both positions.

I remember Keegan's crash on the bikes. But that is for another thread.

The ball will just keep coming back if it is - you maybe right and although his finishing is generally shocking his hold up play is generally good which is what is required for the away games. The question for me is when do we unleash the hunger in Mitro. I think the sensible option would be when there is a little less expectation. Rather the cautious option.

@47:45 ish Hemery is a hurdler you say?

Supermac suggesting Mitro is going to be backup to Murphy? http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sissoko-wijnaldum-were-disgrace-times-11833979 I think it could be the way to start. Starting with Murphy and Gayle, experience and hunger. Hopefully this pairing would get us a two goal lead in most games at which point we can give Mitro a run out sans pressure. Alternatively, if we are struggling then Mitro would offer us that little craziness that might win the game. Once Mitro is up to speed he can start games. Playing 2 games a week, if the game is wrapped up before 60 mins, take off both Murphy and Gayle, bring on Mitro and another midfielder. Resting our main strike force for the next game. In fact that would be 3 forwards playing 60 mins a game so they should all stay relatively fresh. Not for me, not at all, you want your best players playing first and I can say with confidence Mitro is the better player. You use the best players relevant to the situation. I agree Mitro is the better player, technically. But I think Rafa might think for this situation Murphy is the better option to start. Either way works for me, I think both will play a big part. BTW sorry I edited my previous post to show that my thoughts were only relevant to the Derby game, It just took me about an hour.

Supermac suggesting Mitro is going to be backup to Murphy? http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sissoko-wijnaldum-were-disgrace-times-11833979 I think it could be the way to start against Derby. Starting with Murphy and Gayle, experience and hunger. Hopefully this pairing could get us a two goal lead at which point we can give Mitro a run out sans pressure. Alternatively, if we are struggling then Mitro would offer us that little craziness that might win the game. If we are 2 up we could sub both Murphy and Gayle to rest them for the next game. From then on everybody plays for the shirt. Better to drop Murphy for Mitro than the other way around, methinks.

The Premier League, Sky, overpaid pundits spouting cliché after cliché. The game is just as good as it always was, but these pricks constantly trying to justify the money is sickening. Just seen an interview with Shearer for some coral advert, where this prick asks him about the pressures of being a world record transfer. Shearer states that nobody was worth £15M and nobody still is, and this little pricks starts giggling like a little girl at how ridiculous Pogba's fee is. Get a fucking grip man.

Think he's more likely to start Gayle tbh I think he'll go with two up top.

Agree with this. If pochettini can use Sissoko as an effective, alternative option then he will be happy to play every third game with a subbie here and there. Is £30Million a lot for that kind of player? Not if you have big ambitions. He'll probably make a massive impact in the Champions league games and see his value rise.

we've got 7 games in 3 weeks so I expect we'll get a good look at our squad over that time. I don't think Rafa will change much for the Derby game. I think he'll rest Hayden and give a start to Mitro or Murphy, I'll go with Murphy.

I think he could do well at spurs. He could be valuable for them as a sub, and in particular games that Pochetini feels his drive will be needed. I don't see him being a first team regular, but that might suit him. When he was at the toon he was expected to be the driving force in every game, he was often crowded out and he would become frustrated with himself, and the manager, and the club. I think this could prove to be a good move for him. I don't really have any hard feelings, he frustrated me a lot but what the hell.

Only two worries I would have are his fitness, that his injury problems are behind him and he isn't too lightweight for the league. Looks a talent playing at his best. Can player across the park in midfield too which could be handy. Played lots at Malaga the second half of last season so hopefully his injury problems are behind him. Also going to lose him to the Cup of nations for a month or so. We'll have Judge by then.