Jobyfox

Never like the argument of signing players for “squad depth”. I’d always rather sign better players who, by definition, then create squad depth.

I agree he’s been “fine” this season. As we’ve declined as a team we’re now meeting his levels. Is he the player you sign to get you out of the division or is he the player you sign because you’re planning for a long stay? I think that’s the worry of the 4 years. It feels like either a lack of ambition or adjusting to meet our new reality

Only if he consents of course

It’s a shame that we’re going into this game with Skipp and Soumare as our established midfield duo. At some point MC will surely realise he has to change it and bring in Winks, James or both. Even if Winks and James start this game they won’t have built up an understanding or have any momentum. I suspect, however, that they won’t start. We’ve got away with playing S&S so far this season to some extent, but CCFC are a step up in quality. I worry this is the game we’ll be truly found out and it might take a few more before Marti makes the obvious changes required.

I’ve been a big critic in the past, but this season he’s been ok so far. At first glance 4 years seems ridiculously excessive, but then I suppose it depends on the wages.

Not giving a sh1t is fine but, in my experience, people who genuinely don’t wouldn’t bother going on a forum to express that sentiment. That way it avoids looking too much like a Forest fan that tries to play down local rivalries because they think it makes them more relevant. It doesn’t

Apparently it’s one of the best Sports Bars in Mowacre Hill I’ve never been to

Picking between Ayew and Daka is like two bald men fighting over a comb to be honest so I’m not going to die in a ditch on which one is better. Ayew is technically a better player, but I feel the team (not the individual) plays better with Daka leading the line. Daka scored 7 in 20 last time we were in the Championship, which I’m guessing is a goals per game ratio that Ayew has rarely achieved throughout his entire career. I’m hoping, however, that Carranza is able to step up as it’s going to be a long season with either Daka or Ayew as our main number nine. Ether Carranza is the man or the rest of the team are going to have to cover the striker deficiency.

I wholeheartedly concur

If we happen to get ourselves into the same position at the weekend could I request that you try the same approach with the BBC web site please?

Like this:

Everyone knows that, but it’s currently a choice between him and an unknown quantity in Carranza. Ayew isn’t a number 9!

Yes. He missed the word “no” out between “has” and “ability”

Agree on both counts. Daka is shite, but the team plays with a better shape when he starts as a number 9. I’m not expecting big things from Carranza given his career profile to date. I’m just hoping that he’s better than Daka, which is a pretty low bar.

This is exactly right. The mindset of spend a year or two in the Championship is one I just don’t understand. Every year in the division makes it harder to compete financially. If we develop our youngsters and stay in the Championship we will be developing them for Chelsea, Man City or even a lower end PL club like Forest to come and take them from us.

Thank the Lord it’s not just me. People don’t get the hate for him? I don’t hate him. He was just a bloody awful signing. Not the worst player we’ve ever had, but an extremely poor and short sighted signing. The love for him now stems from the fact that, as we decline, he starts to become more useful. I’m pretty sure he’d smash League One. If he’s been “bloody good” this season then I think we have to redefine the role of a number 9. He was decent against 10 man Sheff Wed when he had time and space. He was decent against Oxford when ball retention was required. The rest of the time he’s contributed to a poor team set up as we’ve had no press from the front or outlet. We’ve actually looked better when Daka has come on. He might do ok this season (now we’re a Championship level club), but Marti can help stop the “hate” by not asking him to lead the line. He needs to play off or behind another striker or he needs to sit on the bench to come on late in games. He actually looks better against tired opposition, late in games, and that was also the case last season.

This sounds too much like Forest when they talk about us and I don’t particularly like it. It’s a local derby so it’s a big game.

Personally think that Vestergaard is undroppable at the moment. He’s the only player breaking lines with his passes. We all know his limitations and what he doesn’t bring to the team, but we’ll have to live with those if we persist with the current line up. If Winks plays then we might have more options and not be reliant upon our CB for creativity. Winks and/or James might give us the option of playing a CB whose job is just to defend and get the ball to the midfielders. I’m not overly worried by Vesty at this level. He’ll be frustrating at times but, on balance, he helps the team tick

It’s where Edouard made his name.

I see that as his role - especially if Ramsey is out. Just at this point I have no knowledge of whether Carranza is going to be great or shite.

If Ayew is “crucial” this season it will either be because Carranza is a failed signing at this level or that the midfield continue to fail to inject any creativity. But, admittedly, he might be. Personally I’m hoping that he ends up being useful (as a late substitute to see out a game or as a utility player behind the main striker) rather than crucial. If he does end up the latter then I fear we’ll have had a pretty poor season come May.

If Ayew is our most effective player then it really is testament to how far we’ve fallen. We need to get Soumare and Skipp out of our midfield and really hope that Winks and James provide a better solution. That way the responsibility of creativity might not fall on Ayew from the centre. It will be interesting to see whether Carranza can perform at this level and then we might also be liberated from having Ayew as our starting number 9. That way he can play what probably is his best position as a supporting striker. He’s not our biggest problem at the moment - midfield is - but if he remains our first choice number nine all season then I think the team will need to seriously step up in other areas.

This, but I’d still start Mav and keep Monga back as the impact sub. I’ve also no idea whether Carranza would be ready to start. Much as it pains me I’d have to go with Daka without better information, which means Ayew as the 10. Hopefully Carranza will prove himself capable so we don’t have to see Ayew and Daka as the no. 9 options for too long

To be fair BDCR, Soumare, Skipp and Ayew have helped with that