Agree with everything in Vexed's post except the bit about him not starting. He's a very decent midfielder and 18 goals from midfield in the Championship is excellent. He may not be a glamour signing like Paqueta or Kudus but I would be very surprised if he doesn't turn out to be more productive and...

Mason Mount was a seriously good player a few years ago but not worth the risk now - would almost certainly be another sick note. A new midfield is absolutely crucial - in an ideal world I wouId bin off all of the current lot, but I doubt that's going to happen. I hope we're in for McAtee from City...

Areola's hair looks like a fucking cinnamon bun.

That midfield makes me feel like I'm fast, and I recently turned 67. Maybe it's a cunning plan to get the chairman to cough up for a new midfield. 

You've given us all splinters with that, Alf! Good effort, though. Completely futile, but good effort.

Can't find a working stream today. Anyone got one?

Getting really pissed off with seeing Soucek loping around. He was so far off the pace against Newcastle it's unbelievable. I would like to see Irving get a game - he's looked good in the few games he's had and has got something about him. 

Not much to get excited about there. Too casual with possession - hope Potter gives them a rocket for that. Alvarez and Soucek not doing anything like enough. Replace with Paqueta and Irving. Need to get more bodies forward and create some chances. Newcastle look a bit fragile at the back.

That was absolutely fucking dire - another two hours of my life that I'll never get back. I think I'll take a break for a few games - it's not good for my blood pressure or my sanity. 

It's so hard to predict how it'll go for these youth players, except for one like Rice who was a genuine standout - absolutely everyone except Vexed could see that he was going to go all the way.  I'm reluctant to make any predictions. I thought Longelo was going to make it but he couldn't hold his ...

No question about his ability at set pieces, so it's good to have that back. But for me, he's very average in every other respect. Tidy in possession but doesn't use the ball well enough. His default passing is sideways and backwards. You might get two or three creative, defence-splitting passes in ...

LJC

That’s exactly what I wouldn’t do. Take a player that on loan to build up for another club and then they take him back. I would want a loan with an agreed option which is exactly what it seems we are trying to do.

Got that Dean Ashton feeling about Ferguson. Steer well clear. The ONLY circumstances in which we should take him is a loan with no obligation.

I would happily have him back too but I don't think he was very happy here. What I don't know is how much of that was down to Moyes and/or the style of play. Always thought there was a player in there but someone or something clearly messed with his head.

Time to unleash Guilherme!

He's decent bringing the ball out of defence.... now and then, but that seems to be his only strength. For me, he's way too passive, often guilty of ball watching. He's the opposite of Dawson, who's a much more proactive defender, throwing himself into challenges. Hence the backing off against Matet...

What an absolute shower of shit. Nobody comes out of that with any credit. Potter has his work cut out. The negative starting lineup set the tone but fair play to him for bringing on Guilherme, Scarles and Orford. But it was too far gone by then.  Just one other observation - Kudus has absolutely be...

That was really poor from Kilman. Can't help having more and more doubts about him. Way too passive.

What an absolute shit-show that was. Reminds me of some of our worst performances under Moyes. Got to change something to offer more of a threat. Soucek in a more advanced role is a fucking abject waste of space.

FMOB! That is such a defensive lineup, only two forwards and I absolutely hated watching Cresswell in a back three under Moyes. I'm going to admit that Potter knows better than me, but I hate the look of that.

I think Summerville should be available. He wasn't injured but just felt his hamstring a bit and was taken off as a precaution. Ings up front for me, not particularly on merit but because he's the only option and Paqueta isn't right for it.  Fabianski  AWB   Mavropanos    Kilman     Emerson  Soucek ...

Ooops! Meant to put Kudus up front, not Ings.

I would play Alvarez in a back three. Apparently he has played at the back over 60 times in his career. Give the excellent Scarles another start as LWB with Wan Bissaka on the right. Unleash Guilherme! Fabianski Alvarez.   Mavropanos.   Kilman Wan Bissaka.   Soucek.   Soler.   Scarles Paqueta.   Gui...

Collins Wong - A Free Man" wrote: ↑13 Jan 2025, 16:34
Fulham are a top mob these days, and this is what happened at Palace.

Six points, but it'll be very close against Fulham. Wouldn't mind seeing Guilherme get his first start if Summerville is out.