Raw Dykes

I think Mendy's current contract was signed in 2020.

I think Youri leaving for free would be a bit of a disaster for us. Even if we only get £25m, I don't think we can really afford to throw it away. We may not find an able replacement for that amount, but it would certainly help. Much better than nothing at all. I don't believe he'll be at his best if he's set on leaving, either.

Don't forget we get a fee for selling Youri. If we use your figures, keeping him costs £34m, and replacing him costs £40m minus the fee for Youri, which shouldn't be too far from that amount. Replacing him could effectively cost us nothing, or even bring a profit.

I didn't say I think the injury problems will clear up - just that if BR wanted to improve things, he should find it easy, considering the horrific record this season. I know it's not simply bad luck, but you have to admit luck does play at least some part. As far as I'm aware, there's not a lot you can do about the ACLs and the assaults in pre-season friendlies, and they've been the worst ones, and they've all been to key defenders.

At least they've got something to show for it. Can't turn your nose up at 3 whole points clear of the drop.

It will be interesting to see who plays which game. I do think your reasoning is valid, but I think Fofana and Evans are probably about fit enough to play a full game. Fofana did 80 mins in the last one, and Evans 60 for NI. I think they might both start one game (with Evans maybe rested towards the end), with the settled partnership of Cags and Dan playing the other. Can't work out which partnership plays which game. I agree that Evans and Wes is the best on paper, but they are both only just back, as you say, and Cags and Dan are settled and have been playing well of late. I guess it would make sense to give Fofana and Evans minutes asap and play the settled partnership in the more important game. I'll go... Fofana - Evans vs Man Utd Amartey - Soyuncu vs PSV

I disagree. We've had a cobbled-together defence all season. Setting the reasons for the appalling injury record aside, it is very unusual for any club to have this number of injuries, especially all in one area of the team. Any club is going to suffer with 4 of their best defenders out for most of a season. As @Sunbury Fox says, it's actually testament to our strength in depth that we could quite easily still finish top half and end up having a decent league campaign with the number of absentees we've had. I'd say any more strength in depth would be unrealistic for a club our size to ask for. You'd essentially either be asking a new full-back to play second fiddle to Ricardo, JJ, Castagne and Thomas, or benching one of those players. Can we really ask for a better 4th choice CB than Amartey? You can have a squad like Man City's, but injuries can still decimate it. It might be overly-optimistic, but I think all we need to be challenging the top six again could be as simple as having a much better injury record, which, after this season, shouldn't be too difficult. If this season demonstrates that we need more strength in depth, then don't the past two seasons demonstrate that we don't? Besides, it's likely that we won't be in Europe next season, so we can probably afford less strength in depth, if anything.

Are we sure that's not the Michelin Man?

I've been on the fence for the most part of this season, but I'm happy for BR to stay now. Two of my biggest concerns were injuries and recruitment, but there's good signs that both are being dealt with. It does seem like Rodgers is being much more cautious re: reintroducing recovering players back into the team in recent weeks. Congerton leaving could signal that the higher ups are wrestling back control of recruitment, as well. If the board have spoken to BR about disappointing signings, then he wouldn't really have a leg to stand on if, as I strongly suspect, Bertrand and Vestergaard were mainly down to him. The biggest positive for me, though, is that performances and results have been much improved lately. We've been in a huge slump this season, and I don't think it's a common occurrence for a manager to get their team out of something like that. I think that's a very reassuring sign that the players are still listening. I don't hope for much this season, but there is still a trophy and a decent league finish to play for. I am optimistic for next season, though. If we can have a decent transfer window, and keep more players injury-free, then I think there's a good chance we'll be much better off this time next year.

Ricardo joined us a couple of years after we won the league. Danny Simpson was our 1st choice RB back then. As others have said, we've got a very strong set of strikers. Very low priority area of the team to strengthen. Daka and Iheanacho are probably much better back up than we can realistically expect to warm the bench. We'll be looking for CBs and RWs for the 349th transfer window in a row.

I think it goes back to his time at Norwich.

Covid.

There's a bit of a difference between goals per game and games per goal. Perez isn't getting nearly 5 goal contributions a game, is he? That's pretty bloody obvious.

Won't matter what Forest do. He's on loan from Boro.

That's killer. I like the design. Very skillfully rendered, as well.

He was allowed to move on in the summer. Apparently, there was a move lined up near the deadline, but it didn't come off. That's why he wasn't registered in the squad.

Excellent minutes per goal.

Lee Jobber?

The latter.

Excellent timing!

Liquid football.

What a fvching hit! What is it with defenders scoring on return from injury?

Ayoze?

Agreed. You only have to get one injury to a senior keeper and suddenly you're on very thin ice. Probably not worth the risk.

Castagne's meant to be back now. He probably shouldn't be starting after quite a long time out, though.