SSFC

Supposedly was at the Boro match earlier with Aarons and wasnt on crutches. If true I'd assume that means the scan has been completed as he would likely be on crutches as a precaution with the presumption of a serious knee injury.

If the assumption is based off what Goff has said the timeline could be alot sooner than that. If its not his ACL then February would probably be the long time frame (assuming no set backs of course)

Probably the first one needing replaced now that #9 is sorted. Good thing there's plenty of time left... And whoever said Manquillo will make us yearn for Yedlin was on the money too From a practical standpoint yes but I think a #10 is needed although I dont doubt that Ayoze may show himself to be that this year. He has had spells before and then falls off so lets hope he has matured and what he has shown late last season and even today in spells, is what he is long term. Now I do think that if we magically got Rafa to stay that he would actually stay with Yedlin/whomever longer term and look to distribute finances elsewhere. Just a gut feeling.

Not a bad idea actually. Early season, might as well give him a chance.

I assume they would be meaning MCL in that case I wouldnt expect him back till after the October intl break at the earliest just to be safe. PCL tear would usually accompany an ACL and if the ACL is done then well him and Lejeune will be 1/2 our starting backline that got us 10th on the shelf till next year pretty much. Still Goff is reliable and probably talked to DeAndre himself so hopefully its after the October break. Anyways, this is a good opportunity for Manquillo and hopefully something will have clicked with him. Doubtful given what we know about him from last year but you never know.

Huddersfield and Cardiff would be the sides that I look at and think, I just dont see how they can stay up. Obviously huddersfield did it once and Wagner deserves plaudits for that but they added a striker that hasnt really done anything at Monaco and some random squad fillers. Cardfiff bought Murphy's brother and crickets. So that leaves one side and plenty of teams that could be that side.

Don't see how we won't, people continuously overestimate how poor the bottom half is. Rafa Benitez isn't allowing a team to be in the relegation dog fight. Agreed. Only way I see it being a dire problem is if a rash of injuries happen across the pitch. That is the same for all the bottom half though. I also have complete faith that issues at the back will be addressed and mitigated. First match always has issues of positioning, continuity, etc. even with guys that have played together. Hopefully Manquillo can step up, could be a real opportunity for him given that I dont expect Yedlin back for a month or so if lucky.

Hopefully Yedlin's injury is the 4-6 week variety and not the see you next year variety. Hard to tell but atleast all his weight wasnt on it when it happened. As for the game, about as I expected.

I believe the game is on at 4:30 AM my time....you bet I will be up. I think most of Spurs best XI will be available and probably be a 2-1 defeat but would I be surprised if he we got a result, no; just dont know if the new attackers will be integrated and I have no faith in Joselu.

And one person rejoices at the thought of it....Joselu

The African Cup of Nations is in June. Thanks for making me look a fool. Yet now I have to worry about my local club here in the States and our young LB who plays for Cameroon (he is 20 I think)

Oh okay, well thats a plus.

Can't see Ki starting ahead of Diame or Shelvey. I can see Ki starting ahead of Diame. Plus wont Diame be go for awhile for AFCON or do I have that wrong? Let me say, 2nd half Diame in that form probably starts. Diame does seem to spells of questionable play. Fortunately I dont think that has shown himself since playing a deeper role. Also we are likely an Ayoze injury away from all 3 starting especially on away days.

Can't see Ki starting ahead of Diame or Shelvey. I can see Ki starting ahead of Diame. Plus wont Diame be go for awhile for AFCON or do I have that wrong?

Wolves just got Dendoncker on loan with option to buy. It will go under the radar a bit for them but I think this is their best signing.

sterry is our back up right back Still Manquillo imo, who'll also be first choice back up to Dummett at LB. Sterry will play RB if both our full backs are injured or unavailable, as Manquillo plays at LB in that case. Shows just how appalling we are run, utterly woeful and pathetic. If both Dummett and Yedlin were out, I actually see Rafa putting Kenedy at LB and Manquillo at RB. But your last point still stands 100%

Looking at teams compared to what we know this team can do and the minimal additions weve made. I reckon Huddersfield, Cardiff, and Brighton could be in trouble well before us. Huddersfield big spend was on Kongolo who they had last year (fine player IMO, would love to have him at LB/CB). Their X Factor is how Diakhaby matures and if he can do it quickly. He has ability but is raw and probably should have stayed in Ligue 1 somewhere but you never know with young players. Sobhi is another that its all about whether he progress-at times he looked decent for Stoke. Wagner deserves a ton of credit already for survival, if they survive again I dont think he will be there anymore. Cardiff have added Murphy's brother and Reid from Bristol (I believe). I just cant see it with them. Brighton is an enigma for me. They signed the Iranian from AZ Jahanbakhsh who played very well in Eredivisie but not for his national team in the World Cup or before. You never know with players coming from Eredivisie. Bissouma is another younger player that has ability but who knows if that translates now. Bernardo the Leipzig LB is an okay player but only seen him once or twice. Andone is a player I rate actually, just not sure how he translates to the PL. So alot of player in there from outside PL and also unknowns at this high of a level. Wolves I buy that hype. I think they got a very good young nucleus and some older players to glue everything together. Fulham Im 50/50 on. I just dont think the defense is there.

Agreed. I always thought Mawson got all the praise because he never got yellows but I felt Fernandez was the calming influence. Even with Ashley Williams IIRC. Standalone its fine, and in fact a bargain considering what a proven PL CB costs these days but what others are outlining about what happened to Sunderland does have a point. Worried about the attack. Hopefully Ayoze's push at the end of the season was finally a breakthrough cause we are paper thin at that position which is a key position in Rafa's setup. Rafa is the only thing that gives me optimism for the season.

Add something in bold in the bottom and say without Rafa we are back in the Championship or something.

When I saw him a couple times he was really good on the ball, I wonder if LB and maybe a little coaching up at CDM wouldnt be in the offing? You're right though, at CB its not ideal albeit not unheard of. He was really impressive and Im actually a bit shocked that PSG would let him go, must be FFP considerations and trying to get money where they can, when they can. Otherwise you would think that they would find some random Ligue 1 side to loan him too for the time being. Like I said before, try and get Tim Weah in on the deal I've never seen N'Soki play outside of Youtube/Twitter clips, so I cannot really comment on him, but as an aside I find it quite odd that the Liberian president has a son that plays football for a different nation. It would be the same as Barron Trump being capped by Slovenia in five or six year's time. Very Bizarre. Yeah it is weird. Gonna have Liberian President's kid playing #9 for USA and then a Klinsmann as the goalkeeper. Nobody could have envisioned that 20 years ago

When I saw him a couple times he was really good on the ball, I wonder if LB and maybe a little coaching up at CDM wouldnt be in the offing? You're right though, at CB its not ideal albeit not unheard of. He was really impressive and Im actually a bit shocked that PSG would let him go, must be FFP considerations and trying to get money where they can, when they can. Otherwise you would think that they would find some random Ligue 1 side to loan him too for the time being. Like I said before, try and get Tim Weah in on the deal He's into the last year of his contract and is refusing to sign any extension as he wants playing time. Ah I see. Well from what I saw I definitely would like to sign him. Granted he looked better at LB than CB IIRC (I think PSG used 3 ATB with him one game with Diarra and another youngster). PSG have a lot of young talent that is probably never gonna get a look. I assume they will want a buy back option on him though. Seems like another Benjamin Mendy (talking potential of course).

When I saw him a couple times he was really good on the ball, I wonder if LB and maybe a little coaching up at CDM wouldnt be in the offing? You're right though, at CB its not ideal albeit not unheard of. He was really impressive and Im actually a bit shocked that PSG would let him go, must be FFP considerations and trying to get money where they can, when they can. Otherwise you would think that they would find some random Ligue 1 side to loan him too for the time being. Like I said before, try and get Tim Weah in on the deal

Oh and if we do make a play for N'soki, lets us have Tim Weah for free, thanks PSG

N'soki looked really good today in the French SuperCup. Looked pacey as well. I heard the announcer talking about that he is a CB but maybe he was mistaken. Good size as well. A bit risky but could be a big reward with him and I guess with Manquillo in the squad, its a calculated risk. Thats of course if its even true.

get a huge collective of fans to coordinate a pump and dump of sports direct stock