MGLCFC

I wonder when Maresca said earlier in the season we are only at 20%, that in fact it's 20% of his plan for where he wants us to be further down the line. There are a number of times when posters suggest when we get out of 2nd or 3rd gear we'll be unplayable. Perhaps the truth of the matter is, this is as good as some of our players can perform (which is far superior to others in this league) but to get to that 4th and 5th gear better players will undoubtedly need to be added to the squad in the Premier League. I love the work in progress, how he is developing players who were cast aside under Rodgers, but I don't think we will see the finished project for a another 18 months or more.

Don't understand that the manager confidence has gone down 2%. What are people expecting?

They're always nice, but I'm not fussed this year. Priority has to be promotion. Hope teams we are due to play on the 4th and 5th round weekends are still in the competition. Gives us a bit of a break then.

Unless we offer him and he signs a new contract, they'll get him for nothing as his contract ends in June.

Think the part that says we, makes it obvious.

As someone put it 'Daka is sh!t' He may well be, but we are creating far more chances with him in the team than we did with either Vardy or Nacho

99% of football fans are decent and whilst we have rivalries, come together when times are tough for fellow supporters. So sorry that one of our 1% lets the majority of us down. Maybe both sets of fans can do a minute applause after 22 minutes on the return fixture to show our solidarity.

Fair enough. I still would argue that the people interpreting what's in front of them is so inconsistent and the main cause of frustration amongst fans, players and managers. Personally, I'm enjoying this season far more without VAR. Yes, mistakes are still made, but having a quick look at a lino to check if there's an offside, is far better than waiting 4 minutes or more to celebrate a goal, or any other decision.

The technical side of VAR is not the main problem, it's those setting and interpreting the rules.

But, I'm not saying that - I'm asking are we even allowed to send him back?

Is there a clause in the loan agreement that allows us to send him back early or would it be by mutual consent if Chelsea can find him an alternative loan move?

Hope we get any January transfer business done early (if possible) so we are somewhat covered for AFCON. Perhaps Praet's non inclusion yesterday could be to do with Torino's interest again (unless others know different)?

I don't understand the call for an additional centre back in January. What we have is more than adequate for the rest of this campaign. I agree, it may be required in the Summer, hopefully when we are promoted as we do lack pace which will be exposed in the Premier League.

I take your point, but all teams are in the same situation regarding rest. They too will have to utilise their normal bench players and rotate. Like for like, our bench players are better than our opponents IMO.

Personally feel the last place we need to strengthen is CB. We have Vestergaard, Faes, Coady, Soutter, Nelson, Doyle and at a push Justin and Choudhery who can play there. I like 3 signings, a LB, creative number 8 and maybe a left sided player who can push Mavadidi for his place. I'd keep Praet as, when fit, can play on the left and right as an 8, but happy for Nacho, Ward, Iverson to leave and let Casadei go back to Chelsea. The AFCON throws transfers into doubt somewhat, as if Daka was still here, I'd also let Cannon go out on loan.

Rested, to ensure he's fit for the Cardiff game

Very strong bench, if required

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas. Let's hope we enjoy a happy New Year.

I had a break for about 9 months from posting but kept an eye on threads (it's quite good if you can sit back and take in the good, the bad and the down right ugly differing views). Take a break, but do come back as differing, sensible opinions is good for healthy debate. Take care and keep watching.

2 things strike me about Daka 1, he gets in the right place to score tap ins (something I thought Vardy would thrive on at this level) 2. He's got endless energy and is always pulling the opposing defences around. It's not a coincidence, IMO, that we are creating far more chances with Daka in the side. Glad Enzo has given him a chance and he has taken it. It's like a new signing.

You could say taking your shirt off in celebration is non offensive, but everyone knows it's a bookable offence (as is being on the wrong side of hoardings). I'm not trying to be awkward here, just pointing out that had an away player done that in front of L1 I think the reaction from our fans wouldn't have been 'Ah the lads only celebrating a goal'. I think we disagree on the Mav's celebration which is fine as we are all entitled to differing opinions - I suppose what I'm alluding to more than anything, it's an unnecessary booking and I can understand why Maresca was less than pleased.

The rule is you shouldn't cross the hoardings so in that respect he has self inflicted the punishment of a yellow card upon himself. I agree about the lack of consistency regarding booking others for the same offence, but I don't accept your point that it was nothing over the top. Celebrating with your own fans is one thing, antagonising the opposing fans by going into their stand is not that smart, a point Enzo appears to concur with. I don't think that sort of celebration from an away player would go down that well in L1?

Yes I agree to a certain extent, but does that control mean he is treading on egg shells for 80 minutes (he could have got a second yellow for simulation). For me it's an unnecessary booking - like I said if he gets a 2 game ban further down the line and 3 or 4 of those bookings are for avoidable, silly errors of judgement then as a manager I'd be furious. I just don't see celebrating a goal in that manner after 10 minutes, getting booked for it, is overly sensible. Notice how Vardy celebrates, completely winds up the opposing fans, yet I can't remember him getting booked for it. Just my opinion.

It's a silly booking though and unnecessary. Maresca would have been fuming had he got a second yellow for simulation. It also means he's walking a tightrope for 80 minutes. Silly bookings may mean that he accumulates 10 bookings and receives a 2 match ban. We don't need our best players missing two games through avoidable bookings. I'm all for celebrating a goal, but do it inside the rules. I get a last minute winner sometimes see emotions run wild, but I don't think an over the top celebration after 10 minutes is that bright.

I wonder what Ipswich will do - Strong against Leeds and rotate v us or other way around (or strong against both of us). Personally, in their position, taking points from Leeds has to be a priority. For us v Rotherham, I'd go strong from the start and hopefully have the game wrapped up by 60 minutes, then take the key players off. I'd start either Coady or Soutter instead of Vestergaard as it would be silly if he picked a yellow against Rotherham and misses the Ipswich game.