CarbonVirtine

You certainly can't discount it. Mourinho does think it's part of the game, with both the opposition AND his own players. Personally, I think it's a risky tactic as it could go any number of ways.

I'm pleased someone posted that Guardian piece ^^^ as I read it this morning but hadn't seen a link on here to it (before searching just now) Because I found it to be a decent review, nuanced and impressively knowledgeable - as if written by someone that knows us (or has taken the time to find out) and football. As a rule, I find the Guardian quite limited on football and tending to 'over prose' the subject without really addressing it.

and you don't think we've been trying!

grammar nazis out first. free speech sez i type as i wanna

I know, frightening thought isn't it. Years at Lyon, moves to Monaco, signed by us.... and nobody's spotted that he's complete carp! Beggars believe!

So good we need two threads

I preferred the rocker's motorbikes and the mod's music. I've always been confused.

Having skimmed those French comments (and my French is not street good), I'm actually a little more optimistic than I was before reading them. Yes, there were negative comments but a large part of the conversations were about how well Monaco did in getting the money for him and how well they do as a club generally in the transfer market - and how daft the English market is! (and I think we'd all agree with that). There were comments more related to him not being worth that sum rather than him being crap per se - suggesting €7m - 8m was more realistic sum. I read of Ghezzal having a "honeyed" left foot, of being underused at Monaco and suffering because of comparisons to, and the successes of, Mbappe etc (as someone mentioned on here). It was said that he was a free for Monaco only because he didn't want to stay at Lyon and refused the contract extensions that were offered. In short, it wasn't quite the damning I was half expecting. I do like this though - I think someone referred to Ghezzal as "Rachon Ruzzle". I have no idea why or how widespread it is/was... but it is intriguing!

What a coincidence! To be the aforementioned 'helicobite' is to be happy and most definitely requires a sizeable wanger!

Seriously? Is that where we're going now? Not only do we debate who is or isn't a legend but now we're going to add who is the bigger legend. Cool. I look forward to the Legends' League table.

Indeed. Sadly, it's the way of the world. Money does talk even if it can't buy you love. Big fishes and bigger fishes etc. We're amongst the upper tier of clubs that can consider paying £xM for a player as a 'punt' even if we do cry foul when Man City/United et al do it to us. Maybe it ain't right but what's that got to do with it?

Feel free to contribute

There's certainly something to work with. He does show a good first touch, good vision and technical ability with the ball at his feet. Sadly, it does seems that a lot of what he tries to do doesn't come off, but at least he is trying something. Maybe Puel can influence him, make his decision making better. What concerns me perhaps is that that's the sort of thing you say of a younger player. Still, I'll get behind him when he takes the pitch for us, urge him on etc. I'd not worry too much over what @Alex007 and other Monaco fans might say (without disrespect to any of them), some players divide fans. There were plenty of negative comments from the Le Havre fans when we signed Mahrez (that said, Mahrez was younger and shed loads cheaper)

I'm looking forward to seeing him play.

So will we all.

What's going on with DD's hair?

That's just scary frightening. Like something out of 'The Fly' (original)

Darn. I can't watch the 2nd half (because I'm off out) and I suspect it's the 2nd side that I'd prefer to watch. Oh well, mustn't grumble...

Now that's what I thought he was asked to do; play 'compact'. Morgan and Huth to deal with crosses, fullbacks to stay narrow so to invite it. We used to thrive under the cosh then spring from defence. The game plan has (at last) changed under Puel and Simpson (as many have said) doesn't suit the new style. It's only fair to let him know and suggest he moves on. No disrespects, indeed quite the opposite. I remember liking Simpson over de Laet at the time. At the time, he was - I thought - the better fit in our then machine. Now I think the same of Amartey. Times and styles change. I'd wish Simpson well.

Oh yes. Got a chuckle out of me. My kinda joke

I think that's key to understanding where we are. Puel will be judged on that pitch/intention but it is far too early, IMO, to call success or failure. He's still building his squad, and that's not easy when there's pruning to be done, and so it's still a work in progress. As long as we're not relegation bothering, I reckon he ought be given time.

Cripes, don't tempt fate man! Besides, I liked Inler!

It's a larf innit? I didn't know he was at Lewis FC for instance

It's what you write on a colleague's leaving card innit? Even when you hate their guts and think them a useless waste of space. It costs nothing to wish someone well!

In context, I took it as ironic and smiled.