kitch

Well obviously I don't mean it literally, but in essence, that's what it is: Chelsea are employing us to develop him. They didn't want to give him the PL minutes that a club like us could, so they've accepted a token payment and should he prove good enough (and he clearly will), then they'll buy him buy when he's been left in the oven a bit longer. We'll get financially recompensed for our efforts when he goes, and we benefit from having him in our team. Chelsea benefit from us baking him until he's done, and then they can use him themselves. Buyback is rumoured to be around £25m, which is already looking like a steal in this day & age, and the only way it could be hijacked (assuming any approach is made within the cut-off date, as you say) is if Tino himself turned it down, which he won't, because he's a local lad to Chelsea and grew up as a fan, and he can win things with them. It's wooden dollars, but that is effectively what it is - we're being paid to borrow him and develop him. I think it's sound business.

Can't help but feel McCarthy has earned a bit more respect over the years than he's getting at the moment. Wasn't so long ago he was keeping us in games that were pivotal in keeping us in the Prem. He still does pull off the odd decent save here and there, but I agree he should have done better with Greenwood's shot, and yes he needs to be dropped for a bit, just as Forster was when he hit a rough patch of form. But I think the way people have turned on him is a bit harsh, especially given that the defence infront of him ain't always up to much.

We're basically being paid to take him on loan for an indeterminate length of time, which is excellent business all the whilst we can use him. Kid is different class, properly skillful.

I dunno, maybe I see it differently, but I see the same Jack Stephens I've always seen: Fairly intelligent defender of average ability at squad-level who rarely gives anything less than 100% and genuinely gives a shit. Might not be the best player around, but you know that any deficencies in his game aren't down to a lack of effort. I think he's a great squad player, and happy to have him around.

Thanks, I needed to read something like this.

I'm absolutely gobsmacked by that, and I have to say I never thought I'd dislike the bloke, but that is a dick move. Even Spurs would have made more sense, especially with Kane leaving etc. This is purely money-based, nothing else. Honestly, this one hurts. Even Liverpool would have hurt less! He's basically fucked off his hometown club for a few extra quid. Had the chance to become a legend at the club that picked him up and rebuilt him, and chose the money. Fuck him.

I was always led to believe he was a Spurs fan as a kid.

Forster has been coming off his line much earlier since his return, to his credit.

Vesty shouldn't have been turned as easily, but I have sympathy with McCarthy as it was a thunderbolt at almost point-blank range. Fraser probably would have stood a better chance at stopping it because that's his preferred type of save to make, but not many keepers would have IMO.

You've taken a bit of a coating in here for this one! I sympathise. I don't agree, but it is the same view I had years ago (almost word-for-word) when Koeman was here. The league is fickle, though. We're not gonna win it, because it's geared for teams with the biggest bank accounts, and any 'success' in the league (and the financial benefits that go with it) are fleeting as far as our memories as fans go. From a business perspective, it's definitely better for the club, but for us as fans, you need excitement. My best two memories in recent years? Long's goal at Anfield, and Gabbi's equalizer at Wembley. This club needs trophies. Not at all costs like our neighbours, but they need to be prioritised. The cup provides magic which can sometimes even eclipse the lack of investment or quality in a team, because the cup is a sprint; the league is a marathon. Sprints are exciting!

It was the fella's first game, to be fair!

Two words. Nathan, and Redmond.

Same. I try to be rational as I can when judging performances, but that was abysmal. I'm more angered by this result than by the 9-0 vs. Utd! This needed to be a reaction, and it was the complete opposite.

Does anyone know if Virgin are doing free BT Sport access again for this one?

Caught this on Twitter just now. What a mess! https://twitter.com/journokatie/status/1225186761095241728?s=20 Chairman/owner trying to rip club apart to make some more money off the land the stadium is on. Only issue is, there's a covenant in place until 2053 to say the land must be used for the club. Conveniently, this went 'missing', so fella started work on it (including listing parts of the ground on eBay). The covenant has just been found...

This is actually it. He best not shave until the rest of the season. I believe all players have to stroke it before heading down the tunnel.

He had very little service, in fairness. He made a number of runs, but Romeu just wasn't on his wavelength. He became more frustrated with those around him as the game went on. Suspect if he'd been playing in front of Bertrand, Cedric or Armstrong, it might have been a different outcome. Plus, any time he did get the ball, Huddersfield lept on him far quicker than anyone else. They'd obviously been briefed, and knew that it was probably going to be a game where he had a point to prove, so nulified the threat. It wasn't a good game of football at all. It feels like he keeps being given chances, but I don't actually think he does. He's limited to these little cameo appearances, and never seems to get 90mins. He and Djenepo are genuinely exciting players, and both have the ability to be ruthless, but I worry that the majority of his teammates aren't dialled in to Boufal's mental tactics.

The only silver-lining about losing (and the magnitude of it) is getting to read the resulting blog.

Ibra in the last minutes of the EFL cup final a couple of years ago. I knew it was going to happen, too.

This is a valid point, and needs to be stressed. 45 points in a season is a solid achievement with the squad he has at his disposal. We've had a tough start to the season, and the issues with the club/players runs deeper than something that could be uplifted by the better finish to last season that we enjoyed. Given everything, I think we're lucky to have him, and it makes me sad to see him looking so dejected and bummed out recently. He needs to be allowed to bring in a couple of players over January of his own choosing. Players he personally rates and identifies as ways to strengthen the team. I'm sure we'll sign nobody (maybe see Josh Sims go out on loan again most likely), but I think he needs everyone's backing right now. We owe him for last season.

I just saw a bit of it, but thought it looked pretty good. It's simple enough (i.e. not all about football) that my missus might watch it with me tonight!

Pointing the finger at RH is ridiculous, and frankly makes me embarrassed to be in the same 'fan' base. He knows more than us. He has far, far more information at hand with which to make his calls and judgements, and he's more experienced than all of us, too. Last year, he was the messiah, and showed the difference between a clueless coach, and an excellent coach. Just because I don't understand why Vestegaard played the other week instead of Valery switching for Cedric, doesn't mean he was wrong. It just means I don't know why he did it. It doesn't mean professional managers are never wrong, but we've hardly had a sustained period of cockups! He's done far more right than wrong, and has earned enough to time see what he can do with this squad, which, if we're being honest, are largely the problem, and that's down to the board and the recruitment more than the manager.

I really like him. Very strong, and sure-footed on the ball. Seems to have good agility and balance, too. Will bully some of the weaker defenders in ways that none of our other options do, though VVD was keeping him at bay with ease yesterday. Give it some time and I think he'll flourish. Really pleased we got him, personally. I like what he brings. Just needs to be a bit more clinical, but he needs time. If he was ready to hit the ground running, he would have been a £40m striker.

He's that good, you know!

For those who remember, Sharp never actually left the club until Koeman arrived. He was loaned out a few times, but I feel it's sad he never got the chance with us in the PL.