UpweySaint

It is a learning curve for him. We all know Bertrand is established first choice and, when fit, will play without question. I think people forget his age sometimes and that we have been blessed with some players who were early bloomers!

He can ask but he can't refuse I would imagine ...

Could be the agent after A) a move, or B) or hefty new pay packet. All this move talk came about just after, or around the same time (IIRC), the club made noises about a new contract for Victor. Look how many players have 'flirted' with other clubs lately only to be rewarded with bumper new deals (Ramos for example). Not saying he does not want out - he may well do - but we are simply speculating.

If it's true by all means slate the man, the club, whatever. But, unless somebody knows otherwise, we have not seen anything definitive from the player or the club suggesting he may be on the way out or has refused to play etc. Would it really be that surprising if all this is being linked by Spurs and/or an agent fancying a cut?

Can agree to some extent. Gutted as I am our squad is not where it needs to be currently. It could be argued we need new recruits but, more than anything, I think we need to find a system and a best XI and give it time to click, with the reduced training time and extra demands brought about by europe (now matter how much most of us would have loved to done well in the competition) it may have taken even longer for a unit to gel cohesively. I was watching last night missing the fluidity of Lambert, Lallana, Rodriguez etc and the bombing on of Clyne and Shaw/Bertrand.

Roko's post match is baffling! - Most watching would say we were not good enough for a win let alone a draw, both tonight and last week - Harping on about decisions (OK valid point but we did not create enough full stop) - Picking up on the Rodriguez mistake, why? Them scoring did not impact the tie in any way! - If Mane was too much of a risk to play, arguably one of our most creative, then why take him? There must be somebody else worth taking if only to give us another option. Big fan of Roko and I can concede we were short of players and will need time to settle as units both defensively and offensively but the set up tactically was just wrong. They knew how we would play and dealt with us all night long yet we failed to switch until late on. The team,and the fans, need a big reaction at the weekend!

Will it be available in English?

Agree though he could hand in a transfer request ... of course we can decline but, if he was that eager to leave, he may be willing to forfeit a few quid (not that many players have the stones to do that!).

I hate to say it but I think we got lucky with Toby, we all knew getting an established player of his quality was one hell of a deal even in the short term. We would have to get very lucky again to be able to bring that sort of established quality to the club while keeping a stable club. Signing players with the potential to be top class is, probably, the right strategy for us as a club.

I actually think he he had a decent game. Not perfect but we all know it is a bit early in his development. He provided decent width on the overlap and got in some crosses with good whip into good areas. He's not Shaw, he will develop slower, but that doesn't mean he wont cut it.

Will say though that Everton managed to sign up McCarthy to a long term deal while we lost Clyne on the cheap due to his contract running down. I do accept your point though. It does also say a lot about our recruitment that our players are being chased by the 'big' clubs and, the hope is, that should more leave our recruitment will be able to have more hits then misses.

That may suggest Townsend, always been talk of our interest.

I don't see it as a reflection of the appetite of the fans to get to these sort of matches. With two days till the game the tickets are still beyond restricted - even if they make it to a point where people can qualify for tickets it is far too late to make sufficient arrangements. Just look at how many we took to Vitesse in the home and away ends!

Seems a bit iffy to me, surely if they can't sell out their allocation they should be given back to home fans not passed on to a team with tenuous links at best!

Fair but it's the manner of today's defeat I think that is the issue. Not having a crisis this early in a season but our balance was wrong against Newcastle and has been exposed again today. Everton did a number on us far too easily.

Hope so. Love Roko but, poor as players have been, he got it very wrong today.

Jesus this is embarrassing.

This.

I thought that was a good tackle, he won the ball! Surely it did not warrant a yellow for a first offence even if the ref has deemed it a foul!?

Holes in the midfield I agree with and we are looking lightweight but, perhaps more concerning, is that to a man we have not looked good. Pelle, has battled, Tadic has put in one or two decent balls ... other then that I'm stumped for positives other then hopefully the players come out fired up for the second half and we can make a game of it! We get a goal early doors and it may unsettle Everton a little. Everton have not looked brilliant but have crowded out the space in front of the cbs well and counter attacked superbly!

Anybody else finding the BT sport commentary annoying? Kind of wish I could find American coverage!

1. Love him, seems to have a good eye for a player and is a real straight shooter. Weakness, not really seen it yet for us but he has been sacked before so can't be perfect! 2. Cedric at RB will spend most of his time in the oppo half and has a good cross on him, Clasie looks like a very good long term prospect but, by all accounts, is not up to speed yet. 3. Key threats will be Mane - when given freedom can take teams apart on his day, Pelle - has started in good goal scoring form and, though not a goal threat, Wanayama has started the season looking imperious. Will put real pressure on Everton's midfield though McCarthy will give him a good battle! 4. Left back is weak. Targett is decent and has potential but is not there yet. Also our CM may lack creativity if Clasie is not fit. 5. Anywhere in the top half and a run in the euro cup would be fantastic though maintaining our place as the 'best of' the also rans ahead of yourselves, swansea etc would be great. As would finishing above Spurs and/or Liverhampton. 6. 8th. Everton have some real quality and underperformed last year but I fear you lack depth, particularly in defence. 7. Yet to be convinced. Seems to have good football ideas but has had issues organising a defence both with you and Wigan. Would be interesting to see if he could build with more resources at Everton - should Kenwright be able to find additional backing. 8. Lukaku. He has the ability to torment defences on his day. I also have a soft spot for Barkley, I can't help but see shades of Gazza in the young lad and his finish last week was special! 9. Mainly depth. The lad has a goal in him but Kone does not strike me as a top quality striker and Lukaku is yet to find consistency to match his ability. Score prediction - scrappy 2-1 win for Saints. Thanks and all the best!

Price? Return flights to Billund from Stanstead are about £60!

Sky have posted up a clip of Rickie for West Brom, looked back to his old self. Great to see him scoring goals, smiling and being appreciated by the fans. Whether people wanted him back or not he was such an amazing part of our journey and it is brilliant that his career might have another chapter!

Take it at it's merit ... he can still have been a tool but no sense giving him stick when he makes a cogent point, may just dissuade him from trying to engage in reasoned debate going forwards ... But yes, Caulker, loan, good deal.