Strangely Brown

I agree with the player assessments but whether Puel ballsed it up is a moot point. If Puel was undecided about whether some of those that played last night were just squad players, or need to be moved on, then I suspect he has probably got a clearer view on some than others. I guess with so many Premiership teams putting out under strength teams it proves that most clubs value being in the PL rather than the FA cup looks like we are no different.

I don't think he has either and he would be daft to ever make such a statement, which of course he isn't!

The same as us!!

Not quite, the Director who spoke on the course was referring to the infrastructure of the club which is a fair point however, the playing staff I would suggest, is far from Champions League Ready and if we want to step in (or indeed up) then we have a long wait for two clubs to fail out of the top six.

Clearly Les didn't get the e-mail!!

Which is really odd when the club mantra is "Champions League Ready".

Which players were "shifted" under Branfoot?

Shame really but that's football I guess. It will be interesting to see where he ends up and whether all the conspiracy theorists were correct or not. Anyway one hopes that we will be active this window for a change

As has been posted already, we lost Austin a month ago and with the likelihood of him being out of action for a good few months, you would like to think that some activity behind the scenes might have taken place, may have done for all we know!! All I would say is that waiting for the last few days of a transfer window to get a deal over the line could possibly end up being counter productive in terms of league places, a potential cup final appearance and a feel good factor for the fans. I acknowledge that even if we did sign someone that this may not be either best value or the solution, but neither is sitting on your hands playing brinkmanship either!

As I have said before, it's the most technically demanding position on the pitch and without doubt one drill that even Semi Pro goalkeepers practice would be dealing with different and difficult back passes, so I can't believe Forster has not done this. If you see little wrong with the rest of his game then all I can say is that you clearly have not played in that position or have no appreciation on the art of goalkeeping because believe me there is a lot wrong with Fraser's game at the moment. Not scapegoating at all, oh and before you get on your high horse and dismissive, one of the posters you suggested didn't read your initial post well enough, was an academy goalkeeper and played football at a high level so I would suggest knows what he's talking about!

Pretty much agree with you, tough call between Clyne and Golac though

Great result needed that one and so chuffed for Jay Rod, let's hope he can kick on from here.

Spot on! Long's loss of form and Jay Rod still trying to find his form in a rotation system and Charlie picking up an unfortunate injury, is a difficulty and we are still doing ok. If we were not creating any chances then I would be more concerned.

I would argue it's technically the hardest position on the pitch to play. These days you have to be able to kick with either foot, receive back passes sometimes of dubious quality, read the game in terms of spotting potential threats on goal, second guess and be ready for poor defensive play, command your area and then be able to cope with a football that could be spinning, wet and moving in the air!! But don't ever make a mistake like any outfield player because your mistake can cost a game. Yep who'd be a goalie?

Is it me or is there a sense of irony here. You get a player to sign a long term contract and then put a low value release clause in the contract!!! So how does that benefit the club? Economics of the mad house

Thought I was at a Spinal Tap gig for a moment and they had turned the amps up to eleven!! Blew the fuse in my hearing aid but cleared the wax out of ears so not all bad!!

He makes Lee Todd look half decent

Oh for a decent striker

So your team captain and the person who was recently successful in a European Competition, and can bring that and international experience to the benefit of the team doesn't get the opportunity to do so, hmmmm....

An interesting point in terms of weakening our team for a competition we do care about, so why not play him? Why has in not played one minute in the Europa League? Even the rotation argument loses some of its credibility when VVD has played in every game? Just seems very odd to me as you could have switched Fonte and VVD round even for one game if rotation really was the reason surely?

In terms of Fonte, it is becoming more difficult to argue against the view that perhaps he has an agreement to move in January, which of course may all go pear shaped if Man Utd don't qualify for the next phase:lol:

Why don't you team up with Batman and both start clapping?

Blimey didn't realise he'd got previous!!