UpweySaint

Would love us to sign him, has the pace and direct play we lack, could also offer a presence up to when needed.

A good read as usual, would agree about MP's game management. You could see the Palace game turn and Watford's plan for the second half was clear as day yet we changed nothing. An argument could be made that we don't want to be reactive and instead impose our style of play onto others but, the reality is, we are in a scrap and can worry about style of play etc in the off season or if/when we have secured our place in the league for next year. The Redmond baiting is a good point. Not many of our players have covered themselves in glory this season yet he seems to get far too much stick based on things like Puel's Henry comparison and MP's decision to stick with him when not at his best (neither of which were his fault). He strikes me as a confidence player, he has stopped trying to beat men as often and looks to turn for safer options. This is a young player who made the England squad and took City apart. He's certainly not as bad as some make out.

A majority, sure. 'Almost every single' seems rather like hyperbole in my opinion. Quite clear you disagree but I don't think it is deluded not to see sacking the manager as the solution. We have been on the decline since this time last year for my money, I think problems run through the club, putting it all on the current manager just doesn't sit right with me. If honest he would never have been my choice, I often question his game management and don't feel particularly inspired by him but he has only managed in a new league for six months. He may turn it around, he may not. Do we know for a fact anybody else we could attract would do a better job? Certainly not. I agree with your sentiment we need to try something but I would suggest that could be done with players.

You do realise it is possible to comprehend we have been sh*t without also wanting to sack the manager? Understand a significant majority want to see the back of the manager but just because it is the popular opinion does not mean is the only valid one. If people were saying nah we are playing great and can't possibly be relegated by all accounts call it out but I don't see people doing that, think largely we all see similar issues just have different ideas on how to solve them.

I know even De Ridder looked decent in a youtube compilation but between that, his stats and the few times I have seen him play I would be pretty excited if we managed to get Quincy on board. Still think we also need presence up top and and a top quality cb would make it a good window but the idea of Hoedt with Yoshida or Stephens doesn't particularly fill me with dread.

On recent evidence Prowse could make those runs, Davis has in the past, I fancy Lemina also has it in him. Our wide players often play like inside forwards so may find themselves in good positions off a target man.

Theo is a proven premier league striker, knows the club and has a point to prove if he wants to go to the world cup. I think there are certainly more pros than cons on this one.

In theory yes but to be honest Hoedt alongside either Yosh or Stephens doesn't fill me with terror. It's our lack of goals that I think will sink us, we have enough good spells in games where we either don't create or finish chances that then allow other teams into games. If we can strengthen throughout brilliant, add a CB and a keeper to the list. I fear we realistically can only secure one or two quality additions this month and I would rather see them in more advanced positions.

Well Bergkamp is available for the vacant position. HCDAJFU? Hell of a playing pedigree, schooled in the 'Ajax' way, decent coaching experience and knowledge of the league.

These puns could get tiresome but don't stop till you get enough ... In all seriousness, always fancied Craven Cottage, hopefully we get plenty of tickets or the neutral section may well be an option!

This, want to see it again but NBC haven't shown the tackle again just the goal half dozen times. Oh well, wonder if we can find anything in reply

I like Fabianski if Swansea go down. I would prefer Fraser found his best form again though.

For me it was the way he carried the all out from the back and had an air of authority with the ball in front of him. He is clearly a top class player and would look even better in a 'top' side ... just hope to christ it's for big bucks and anyone but the scouse mob. The guy is still a bit of a knob though, Maya has been our most consistent CB for some time (who'd have ever thought that?!?) and I feel that Stephens lost his place through no real fault of his own.

Unless it is set up as a 3-4-3 with a bit of fluidity? Not saying it would work particularly, for the record I honestly don't see us stopping Utd however we set up! All three of Gabbi, Long, and Tadic can manage wide or central though would not fancy seeing Tadic playing through the middle of the three unless as a 'false nine' or similar.

Say what you like but I miss the bald fella, sorry Kenzie ... I do take the point. Black in and things aren't right, but surely, without any supporting evidence, it is a bit of a jump to conclude our inability to score is his fault? More likely a combination of things. Recruitment, form, morale, tactics, team cohesion, external factors, turnover of managers and players ... I just don't buy that Black could be solely responsible for our woes in front of goal.

Bloody hard watch that! Few things, nobody came out with much credit on our end but it would be wrong to try and blame the loss on individuals. Though I do fancy VVD may have made those clearances a little more convincingly. Watford had a game plan and executed well. They deserve credit. They were dire under Mazzari but Silva has got them playing better football as most expected he would. Decent enough fans too. The big concern for me was that, rather like under Puel, I cannot fathom what our plan is. I think it is far too soon to be getting knives out for the manager and he does need time to really influence our style of play. I hope that with more time and a boost of confidence the good football may come back. Our squad isn't dross. I do rather miss the days of Poch when we knew how we would play (even if the idea was he had no plan B, I would kill for a plan A these days!).

Based on what? I could also say our decline has coincided with Kenzie Benali doing the match day intro ... coincidence, I think not! Black may be a shocking coach but you have no proof other than purely circumstantial links. I would suggest our problems are more than just one coach.

To be fair Pelle used to whine more than anyone but sometimes it's good to see somebody giving team mates a bit of grief when the service isn't right. If Tadic can bring his best form consistently he can be the biggest, stroppiest, sulking git and we will all love him anyway. Boufal doesn't moan but does have a good shoulder shrug and the odd petulant kick out when thinks don't come off. I think in Boufal, Redmond, Gabbi, Tadic, Prowse (to an extent), Austin and Long we have a decent set of varied attacking options but we just need them to click. If that comes from intense competition to places or consistent time together on the pitch/training field then hopefully Mope can get more from them as the season goes on. Arguably some of our best attacking play came when Poch had our front four playing together taking up any number of positions and knowing almost automatically which runs to look for.

It depends if the missus has that second glass of wine most likely!

Probably falling somewhere between most on here. So frustrating we didn't take an early chance, it would have been a very different game and we may have won resoundingly if Swansea were forced to come forward more. Reminded me at times of the Watford opener last season with Gomes getting about ten last warnings for time wasting on his gk's from start to finish. We lost tempo and Swansea tightened up after the hour mark and a 0-0 seemed rather inevitable. They settled for a point, can't knock them for it, Abraham does look very good for such a young lad. Also worth noting ref had a shocker. Bottled the Tadic decision completely and seemed willing to card our players at the first chance yet Ayew and Fernandez racked up the fouls yet remained out of the book. Positives: Bertrand looks back to his old self and our overlapping full backs are a real plus, Stephens looked fairly assured for the most part, odd blip, decent bringing the ball out which can open space up, Romeu is romeu - how he got a yellow for winning a header is beyond me, We pressed much higher rather than falling back on losing the ball - it leaves us vulnerable at times but we won the ball back a good few times, much rather see us playing on the front foot, Prowse and Tadic had decent games, We created a fair few chances, weren't afraid to shoot and controlled the ball well. Negatives: Result of course, shades of last season not taking chances and then worrying teams will pinch one - we could do with a good start to shift some of last season's negativity and, with the fixtures we have, we should pick up points, Lack of ideas towards the end ... but first game back, hopefully MP can find more from what we have, Gabbi - really rate him but does not look sharp and confident, sure it will come back though. Either way actually going to the WHAM game and hope they come with a bit more intent which will in turn allow us space to play.

Puts the board in better light. Can't imagine the board didn't explain the style of football they wanted to see on interviewing him.

Rather much this though I would like an unofficial caveat that we will not be entertaining bids from Liverpool due to illegal approaches. If somebody else stumps up the right money then get shot of course but, until then, we pay his substantial wages on a contract he was only too happy to sign a matter of months ago and to continue to pocket while recovering from injury with the help and support of the club.

Bertrand cb and Targett/Mcqueen lb perhaps?

Henri Camara, only scored a few goals in the season we went down but liked seeing him play and thought he was a decent loan signing at a time not a lot went right for us.

He gave Diego Costa as good as he got which is always nice to see, shows character and that he wont be bullied. Really did grow in stature as he settled into the side.