Pass the Dutchie

It’s been a weird situation. The lack of attention for his achievements at Euro 16. The not playing in the EL. His drop in form at the start. Everything smelled like everybody already knew he would leave. But his comments here suggest otherwise, which makes not much sense to me.

Man U vs. Jaap Stam. The press will enjou that one too, I'm sure.

Let's focus on Romeu first.

Form is a strange this isn't it? Jamie Vardy 16 (!) games without a goal now. Long will come good, but he'll have a lot of catching up to do. He works hard enough for it.

If Fonte leaves, I'd be interested in Héctor Moreno (from PSV) as a replacement. I have enough faith in Yoshida to take over for Fonte as well while a new one gets used to the team. Also: Jay Rodriguez out, and Alexandre Lacazette (from Lyon) in as a forward. This will mostly stay a fantasy, probably. I'm fine with keeping Martina while Pied works on his recovery.

This time of year obviously hasn't been kind to us these years.

Goals after 14 games:

Position after 14 games:

Points after 14 games:

Are we? I have read a lot about Crewe first, then quite some about Chelsea, and now a bit about us. Rightfully so, because we are the biggest club they can connect Higgins to, who is the latest name to come up (again).

It does bring us down to 12th.

Boruc to blame for both Liverpool goals. Good one by Mane, great one by Origi.

Football Leaks: VVD gets £1k for every goal he scores. Is that a usual arrangement for all players, or just him? Can't think he really needs it, since it'll only give him a few thousand extra a year.

Has this been posted yet, from a week ago? If so I didn't see it. Nice piece on VVD's development. http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/10623756/virgil-van-dijk8217s-journey-from-fc-groningen-to-premier-league-star

According to the Daily Expres Pochettino wants him. Haller was recently robbed in his home in the Netherlands and moved to a different one because he didn't feel safe there anymore. Who knows, maybe he'll want to move away all the way and be able to speak some French with his coach again.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/01/ranking-20-best-players-premier-league-november-2016/virgil-van-dijk/ "There is absolutely no way that Southampton won’t make a massive profit on Van Dijk at some point very soon. Tall, strong, great in the air and even better on the ground, he is the ball-playing centre-back of Man Utd’s dreams. Or Arsenal’s. Or Man City’s. Or [insert rich team]’s [repeat]."

He looked so very happy after his first goal last night! I'm really pleased for him. He seems to be trying to shoot more often lately. Some more of those goals would be very welcome.

We don't, do we? Is he just really fit, or the only truly inmissable player?

He's been very good this season so far. When I see his name on the teamsheet it doesn't bring out any negative emotions or nervousness anymore. I'm impressed!

I could see Fonte go, if someone really wants him. I don't want him to go, but the way we're getting used to not playing him outside the PL seems to hint at the possibility. Other than him, I can't see anyone go. Although, perhaps Rodriguez on a loan if we can get someone more confident in his place.

Last year we lost 1-6 and then went on to win 3-2 just three months later. There's always a way.

Very positive match report here: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/30/arsenal-southampton-efl-cup-match-report

Threads like these could just be posts in other threads, right? Like in the Sam McQueen thread?

Hattrick for Sims, assists by McQueen, Reed and Hesketh. You heard it here first.

Reed escaped from a yellow there.