dmayne7

Wasn't actually very good before the goal but looked purely like rustiness. Took the goal really well. Re the red card, I actually don't think that he was that lucky. Gets the ball and I don't think you'd deemed that excessive force either

Daka has made a massive difference

Brilliant defending by Skipp (not sure how it wasn't a foul)

Except it does. Depressing as that may be, it will immediately get us higher up the pitch

Problem is, so many of these players encourage you to sit deep for different reasons; Vestergaard, Soumare, Ayew

That first shoulder barge was probably a yellow alone. Official's are just so weak.

What I was going to say. Quality fans

Sorry, meant he wasn't involved when Silko Thomas was. I get your thinking about that being a better pathway for a young player like him but he has traditionally been a 10 and we only have 1 of those in the squad whereas we've got plenty of wingers. MC even said he saw him as a 10

Wasn't in the squad last week when Thomas and Wanya were. If he's heading out on loan to a lower league than last year, that's such a stupid move. One of the better players in pre season as well. Page isn't a 10, whereas that's Alves' natural position.

Alves must have pissed Marti off to not even be on the bench.

Very strange but wonder if it's because he's had quite a lot of first team exposure here so they're taking it easy with him? In terms of his stock, it's higher than pretty much all those other forwards (maybe not Dowman), so it's not like he's going under the radar.

You're not wrong on either count but don't forget that he was brought in to be the long term Vardy replacement, who was doing exactly that before the style of play transitioned. He's been rubbish but circumstances have never really gone in his favour.

Straight out of the Patson playbook that one. Plenty of effort but no end product.

Would get overrun down the flanks without full backs/wing backs and the middle with the lack of physicality. Realise we can't really pick a team that covers all bases so it's got to be one or the other.

Hearing but are you actually listening?

I think the people that do that role are generally some of the nicest people you'll meet. Often their failings are caused but the environment they work in, rather than their own lack of compassionate or empathy. I vaguely knew (through my uncle), Peter Jones, the ex ref who also did that job for a while. He was genuinely the nicest bloke I think I've ever met. As a kid he randomly sent me loads of swag from when he reffed some international matches and when we traveled up to a home game once, he took me in the club shop and bought me a shirt. Obviously, those are things in a personal capacity but I think it shows the mindset of these guys. One of the very last connections to the traditional culture/way football used to be as a supporter.

You actually believe that's what he's threatened?

F*** me, you must be good. Can't you offer yourself to the club?

Haha, love how triggered people are by this. Maybe it's true that he'll have a little sulk but he'll get over it pretty quickly and be back in the team, putting lots of effort in because that's the only way he plays (and further increases his chances of a move). Pretty sure if he refused to play for the whole season or there was evidence of him really not trying, the club could probably sue him

Don't think you'd have got that with him as he's noted for his professionalism and with all the injuries, I think there is some element of him owing us. Training alone weeks before pre season started under Enzo. And also, he only has a year left so he if had a decent season, he then gets better options that Leeds on a free. Anyway, it's still a good deal all round I think.

Most of those lads will be a lot less whilst we're in the championship (still very unhealthy wages) as they likely have relegation clauses and subsequently, promotion clauses too.

From a business position it makes complete sense and is actually a good deal. But he was one of the very few who actually gave a crap, and whilst no longer the player he was, still one of the better players in this squad. Had a really, really poor spell last year but it's grossly exaggerated by some. Whether he played or not, that right hand side was completely overrun under multiple managers. Same for him supposedly always turning backwards, it was the same whoever played there because it was clearly instructions from the manager. Anyway, wish him the best but hopefully we can shift VK and then get Aluko involved at full back

What made you decide to choose such punishment?

In terms of young defenders, Sam Gale at Gillingham looks like he could have the lot. Mainly been playing in a back 3 but seen him play either side of that and looks super accomplished. Really aggressive, quick (though hard to tell how that would translate up the leagues) and decent on the ball.