Shandy_Top_89

Well, looks like I should have read the full page first.....

Problem always lie with the next generation, doesn't it

I guess anything would look better than the league cup where the broadcast mysteriously happened with absolutely no coverage.

4 of the Top 6 in the quarter finals and they all miraculously avoid each other. Just like in the League Cup Quarter Final draw. Good thing someone remembered to switch on the ball heater eh FA .

Think we will see Yosh, Davis, Boufal, Redmond and Long in this, with Hoedt, Lemina, Tadic, Carillo and Højbjerg or Ward-Prowse making way. Would love to see Gabbiadini tried out with Carillo, maybe we would see him latch on to some knock downs. But I think we will see Long upfront alone instead.

Had us relegated in 18th on 33 points along with Stoke and West Brom. West Ham lowest survivors on 35 (think I may have been a bit harsh on them), then Brighton on 36. (More realistic). Survival is attainable, but it is all a bit perilous right now.

Poor marking for their goal, but i find myself asking whether we are matching him up against the correct players. Hegazi is bigger, stronger and taller than Stephens and I wonder if Hoedt or Carillo would have been a better match from a corner. Just because he is a CB doesn't mean he should be the one man marking their biggest aerial threat from set peices. However! He is excellent on the ground and comfortable on the ball, his strength and experience will increase with time and I think we will reap the benefits if we stick with him. 24 is still 2-3 year off of a center backs peak, he could become one hell of a player. Also showed leadership qualities in his handling of Boufal for JWP's free kick.

A bit late to the party with this thread. Awful first 20 minutes, but great to see that reaction from the players. We showed some fantastic fluid play and scored 3 brilliant goals. Even better at 3-2 we didn't capitulate and continued to press; things we haven't been able to say for most part of the last 18 months. The highlights being the celebration for the third goal and the players reaction at the end, gives a sense of togetherness and fight that we haven't seen much of and gives me some hope for the future of this squad. Lemina and JWP the absolute star players for me, surely Lemina should start every game from now on. Stephens may have a few errors in his system but I hope we persist with him, as his strength and experience increases I think we will reap the benefits of giving him game time now, what a header too! Also Carillo looked the part. Finally I know it was a special day for West Brom, but I have to say that was up there with last years semi-final with the best atmosphere I have experienced at any ground (from both home and away supporters), really puts a perspective on the likes of Anfield that the media cream themselves over. Also given the importance of the game for both sides and the way it played out found it a thoroughly moving, exhilarating, enjoyable and friendly experience! For the sake of their support I hope they make it, just not at our expense!!

Add Carillo to out.

Think it may well look like the following; -----------------------McCarthy------------------------ -New RB----Stephens-----Yoshida------McQueen---- --Sims--------JWP---------Hojbjerg-----Redmond---- -------------Gallagher-----Austin----------------------- Think one of McQueen and Targett may well leave, both too good to be Championship substitutes and will attract bids. Redmond will do at Championship level. I just have a feeling we could convince Austin, JWP and Hojbjerg to stay for one season in the Championship. Team is talented but low on height and strength so I think we could do with looking at a couple of central players with Championship experience to add those options. Only position significantly lacking will be right back, Valery may be this player eventually but imagine he will be a sub for the time being. Potential Subs; Forster (Think we are stuck with him, cant see a Prem team will take him on and I dont think he is good enough for a Championship first XI now) Targett Valery Bednarek Davis (Think we will be his best option and he could be a good leader in the Championship, maybe not first choice though) Reed Hesketh Seagar Olomola Other youth players available, but I'm not sure they will make the regular step up next season. Main signings; 1) First choice RB 2) Commanding CB to compete with JS/MY/JB 3) Commanding CM to compete with JWP/PEH/HR 4) Promising forward to compete with CA/SG/RS/OO Out; Cedric Hoedt Long Tadic Romeu Lemina Boufal Gabbiadini Bertrand Gardos Pied (end of contract, otherwise id say he could do a job in the Champ) Taylor Clasie Poss one of McQueen / Targett

3.34/10 Signed 1/3 of the players we needed, when the resources and time were there to do so. Board appear to believe we can't be relegated regardless of evidence to the contrary.

Got Millwall or Rochdale at home in my mock draw. Reality; either Manchester club or Chelsea away....

Massively, if he had got the most basic touch on the ball it would have been in, instead it was a big slice. Can't really blame him though, massive pressure on him and arguably the last 10 mins of this game wasn't the right moment to bring him in for his debut? He will improve in consistency with experience though.

Much, much improved performance. JWP, Tadic and Bertrand excellent. Anyone notice the increase in cofidence and decrease in silly errors at the back now McCarthy is in goal? Their goal was quite weak on our behalf, but rather than blaming Stephens I'm wondering if he was the right guy to mark Kane in the first place. Stephens is great on the ground, but Romeu and Hoedt are better in the air. Would like to see this team play both the Watford game and the Brighton game, get some consistency going in selection.

Had a quick gander on Grand Old Team to see what the dugouts think of it. There is a comment saying that's what Watford deserve for ignoring the pecking order of the league. Also nearly all of them calling for Allardyce out and Silva in - worth noting Allardyce was booed yesterday. Is there a more odious team in English football?

*linesman I mean.

Not to hide the fact it's a **** decision all around, but I think the photo angle masks that McCarthy is between the refs line of vision and Doucoures head, arm and the ball. Still an absolute shocker though. Wouldn't have happened if Pellegrino didn't go full negative in the second half, a tactic that has failed every game bar West Ham where we lucked out after dropping a 2 goal lead against 10 men.

Judging by the table 7th in the Prem and over 10 points ahead of us is currently his level. I'd take that if it was available.

Adrian (When Shart inevitably reclaims top spot), Mkhitaryan and Walcott. ...Okay maybe i'm being a little unrealistic.

Do some fans just randomly pick a player to hate and then draw the reason out of a hat?

I am a bit unsure after last night, instinct says Pellegrino isn't doing a good enough job and there are various things you can pick at in terms of tactics and selection. But a lot of the teams current failings are the same as when Puel was in charge and they have lived well into the current regime. The common theme is the players and I am starting to believe that they are either just not good enough as a whole, or their attitude is just too poor and they will fail under any manager. Unfortunately that is the much more expensive and long winded problem to solve, but maybe the reality. I don't think Pellegrino is doing a great job, but I feel that the players and Reed are more to blame for the present situation, and I honestly don't see a better manager who would realistically come to us.

I'm not entirely sure whats happened to Redmond, contrary to some opinions he was one of our best players last season and 7 goals wasn't a bad return for his position (aside from unhelpful Henry comparisons). But he looks lost so far this season, don't think he should be written off yet though. Also I thought sections of the crowd booing him off while 1-0 up against Arsenal was one of the more pathetic things I've seen our questionable fan base do. I dont think he has had a much worse season than Tadic so far either, yet he seems to get 1000x more ****. A number 10, right winger and goalkeeper I think would be the way forward. JWP and Tadic are capable of good performances but need more pressure on them. Forster has the rare average game, but has been generally poor for a season and a half now.

Oh of course they will get smashed (again), I am a realist My point still stands though.

The quality of governance in the UK since May 2015 appear to be the greatest advert for the Lib Dems ever created. Just look at the omnishambles they were holding back.

I have 2 decent and 1 great delivery down for JWP so far. I don't think he's had a great game by any means, but I don't see why he should be singled out. Definitely having a better game than Boufal at the very least.