Saint Pete

There's clearly something odd going on with Yoshida. Either - Hughes thinks he's not fit enough yet - There's been some kind of falling out - There's a move in the offing abroad - Hughes just doesn't fancy him and genuinely thinks Hoedt and Stephens are better options Points 3 and 4 would be the most worrying in terms of Hughes's judgement! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

1-1 full time. Great performance from Wolves, would have been massively harsh if Aguero free kick had won it for City at the end. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

So what is going on with Yoshida? Anyone know? Not even in the squad. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Impressed with Wolves so far, think they will stay up quite comfortably this season. Good to see a team playing positively against City and landing some punches of their own. They will likely still lose today though! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That assumes someone decent is going to want him. Based on what he has shown since he's been with us I can't believe that's the case at the moment. I don't think any of our players should be happy with finishing 17th but players like Hoedt need to accept it's the way they have played that's contributed to that and that they have to do better! If he's not doing that, Hughes should take him out of the squad and play someone else. I would much rather see Yoshida or Bednarek in the first team that him personally. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Look, I don’t agree with the selection today, especially at centre back. But calling for the managers head after 1.5 games of the season is ****ing ridiculous irrespective of the score today.

Defensive problems, with Stephens and Hoedt at centre back. Who could have anticipated that?

I would rather have Bednarek in than Hoedt, but more confused about Yoshida being left out to be honest.

Do you think it’s a good idea playing Stephens and Hoedt at centre back in a 4 man defence?

Well in fairness we know at least 3 of those are not fully fit.

Anyone know why Yoshida is not getting picked? Fitness concerns after World Cup? If not for fitness reasons, I don’t get how anyone can think Stephens and Hoedt are a better bet in centre defence than Yoshida, very odd. The midfield boys are going to need to have a very good day to protect that defence, but feel we could be a threat going forward with this line up. Hopefully JWP can help get better service to Austin so may see more of him this week.

As long as he doesn't say "We are growing" after every defeat or "A draw is as good as a win", I'll be fine with Sparky's excuses.

Yep, McCarthy for me - without his saves in the earlier part of game, we'd have lost. Good performances later on from others, but McCarthy MoM for overall impact on result.

Yep, good post. I don't understand why some are so quick to write off the one striker we have who has a consistent goalscoring record throughout his career. If he gets decent service he will score, simple as that. You can criticise his fitness, but not his goalscoring ability which is better than any other striker at the club, no question. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, agree Everton will be a tougher proposition this time around. I just don't agree with some that 3 at the back is necessarily a total lost cause that should never be considered in any scenario from now on. It probably wasn't the best formation for Burnley at home but could be of use against teams with more attacking threats. Also, I don't think the change in formation was the only reason for our improvement in second half, it was also the changes in personnel, with more dynamic sharper players coming on. That said, at this point I would go with a 4231 for Everton as it allows us to carry the impetus of that last half hour into this game more easily. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Strange comment. Sounds like you want Ings to fail just so you can slag Hughes off again? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We played with 3 at the back at Everton in May and were seconds away from getting a win. Just saying. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Austin will score. Strange that Yoshida is missing so assume he has an injury or is not considered fit enough yet? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Unbelievably good deal for Liverpool then for a player with Ings injury record. I would have been happy with a loan deal but this is clearly not a loan but a permanent 4 year deal, which is a MASSIVE risk for someone with so many serious injuries and so few appearances and goals in recent seasons. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Going nowhere kind of says it all for our strategy in last few seasons! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

With this left back merry go round, I reckon one of Targett or McQueen will go tomorrow and we will maybe sign a right back as cover for Cedric. Unfortunately I can't see us pulling off a deal for a striker at this stage unless we do manage to shift some others like Forster and Long. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

If we have to sell someone to free up a squad place for a new signing, personally I would rather let Targett go than JWP. Left back is a position that we are better covered in than midfield and don’t understand why Targett is suddenly seen by many as “must keep” on the strength of a couple of decent passes in a meaningless pre season game. I think we would also get better value for Targett at this point particularly if Fulham still interested.

Good to see the right footed cross for the first. So often you see players turning back onto their favoured foot when played on the “wrong” side.

You think we could get Sessegnon for £15m? Dream on! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, a resurgent Gabbi is what I am pinning a lot of hope on at the moment too! He certainly seems to look a lot happier and the noises coming out that he is definitely not looking for a move now are encouraging me that under Hughes we will see a lot better from him. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk