Analysethis

I hope he can mate. All I am stating is I don't see the need to go in early and 2 year deals to players over 30.

You cant play Thomas when he isn't ready. Thats the problem for me but I do accept that this isnt the common view in here. I dont think he is ready, many of you would keep him without a signing. That means with JJ out, you would be comfortable he is our first choice in position. If you look at a club who is currently below us in the table in Chelsea, they loaned out Reece-James who then came back to challenge for a first team place (and represent England) and they have Azpilicueta on the right whilst Chilwell and Alonso do battle on the left. Whatever anyone thinks of Alonso running towards his goal, he is very good going the other way and I`d want us to have more seasoned players here and now who can do a similar job.

There are far too many ifs and buts to worry about that for now. JJ and Riccardo need to get back to fitness and form after horrific injuries and god knows what injury nightmares lie ahead. Also we hope that LT reaches his potential so lets see how he progresses. Many of us on here (including me) thought that Hamza was a solution at one stage in central midfield but he has gone backwards over two years. Let the club have that lovely "problem" to deal with later!

Im not opposed to that whilst JJ is injured but if he comes back for October/November as suggested (injured mid-Feb) and do sign someone as reported, that means LT rots in the u23s. I`d rather loan him out if JJ looks like he is react well to treatment.

It may sound like I am criticising Thomas by I genuinely am not, I am a fan. Its just this is all happening too soon for him. He isn't ready today but he is certainly solid enough for a lower Prem club or a Play-off chasing championship club. I could see him in a season learning so much that we have no option but to keep him in the first team squad. For now though, I would prefer someone with a better all round game today like a Gosens and if we believe what we read the club is thinking the same way. If we do indeed sign someone then there is no point in keeping LT here for now which is the point I have been making all along. I agree with your Barnes point. The problem is if Brendan persists with a 352, I even worry where Barnes fits in if we play Iheanacho. I really hope we do go back to a 433 formation which is where we are more effective. I think Riccardo will be fine next season after some rest and a pre-season. I'm sure he will return to his best. As for Catsagne, I hope he stays away from LB!

Its great he has the confidence to do it but for me he looks all over the shop when we play three centre backs. We cant bury the lad for one disaster of a game but it is disappointing that his error cost us a goal and any momentum.

Im not talking about doing something mid-season though am I!? I'm talking about next season and Gosens is one that is seemingly a realistic target. For the record, I`d have kept Thomas in the side tonight for balance. I also agree the Castagne situation is worrying. He does look amazing as a RB in a back 4, less effective as a wing back in a 352 and below average on the left side of defence, the position we signed him for. I`d have Castagne starting at right back with Riccardo and him alternating throughout next season and JJ and another (hopefully Gosens) on the left.

I cant think of any other reason for our last two lethargic performances other than the long season has caught up with us. A long Euro and FA campaign, so many players injured and coming back and looking nothing like there best (Caglar, Riccardo, Maddison, Vardy) and a few that have played a lot and look a bit all over the shop (Tielemans, Fofana) along with two pacy players who would mostly play on the same side in Justin and Barnes out injured. It shouldn't be a mentality thing as we lived through this last season so the hope is we will learn from it. Lets just do it the hard way instead!!!!

Some of the stuff in here is ridiculous. I do think Brendan made a mistake by dropping Thomas for Riccardo at LWB before Evans injury and the Albrighton thing at LBW was double weird, but todays performance was down to some woeful individually performances and not just the manager. They were up for it, we weren't. We only seemed to look energised at 0-4 and that isnt down to Rodgers. Caglar had his worst game ever for us. That Cruyff turn that led to the first goal was a Meme moment. Ndidi was strolling around, Tieleman looked fudged and Maddison has this weird thing even when fit that he doesnt seem to have enough muscle in his legs to pass on shoot when some power is needed!! So weird to see. A 5/10 for Brendan, 2/10 from the troops he put out to battle.

It was condescending mate after a bit of a weird exchange with someone who doesn't really read all posts but I wont waste any more energy there. What I have said about Thomas is he is an outstanding prospect. I hear your point on Fuchs and its completely valid as he has played as part of a three. But even still, or me the person who plays on the left would need to give us more than Thomas can at the moment. If we roll back the clock to Fuchs in the season we won the league, he was awesome. I am not comparing them as players to knock Thomas, just to state that we need complete players here and now and cant afford to see if a talent can make it. I think a season loan to the right club will do wonders for the lad, as has happened with Dewsbury-Hall. BTW if you look tonight at Ricarrdo. He looked completely ineffective and hasn't been his normal self after a terrible injury. Because he isnt at his best, we looked gave very little danger on that side until Albrighton was switched there. Im just pushing for top players that can perform now in position and I think its a tad early for the lad. Just to end on Thomas, we looked better and more balanced when he came on. Albrighton at LB was a weird call and I would have kept Thomas in from the players Brendan had available.

Haha! You have to love some of the stuff in here! Albrighton is 32 later in the year, He could do a Zabaleta and go into his mid-30s. I have not said I wouldnt keep him around, its just I am not a fan of giving players over 30 who arealready under contract for over a season another season. I`d just address this season on season and if he performs as he has done this season, I`d keep giving him another deal.

No mate. This is a case of someone having an opinion that you don't and you have decided to not just disagreeing and respecting it, but trying to come off a smart ass and failing. I stand by my point and I'm happy to see if I am right regarding LT and his game time next season. I'll bet whatever you want we sign a first team left full back or left wing back because the hierarchy at the club know that why he is very talented and has a big future ahead, we will need an International standard first teamer to battle JJ.

At 31 and still a year left on his contract, Im not sure we need to offer him a new deal yet. As much as he has contributed this season, I think I would see how he is playing by December before making the call on a new deal.

Edouards close control is awesome and he has that trickery and link play that will excite when he plays at a Higher level. Toney hasn't really impressed me performance wise and he reminds me of them moaning footballers like Zaha. Both will be gambles considering the standard they currently play which IMO is similar but personally Id go for Edouard if he is 20m or less.

I cant believe he is still 29. Im delighted he is avoiding injury and equally happy he will free up some wages in the summer. I wish him all the best wherever he goes as he has at times contributed for us, its just a shame injuries have held back his prem career.

Its an expected response from a blinkered individual. Its also hilarious how you attempted (and failed) to dissect my posts and conveniently left some of my positive comments out. I`ll attempt to simplify it for you. LT is in my opinion, a potential England full-back. He is extremely raw but as far as natural full-backs go, I have seen him play well in certain games, especially with Barnes playing in front of him in a 4 so notice the potential. However, he is now not doing enough to be a regular in a potential Champions League squad. He is way too raw at this stage of his development. If you look at a fair comparison with a player who plays in his position and one that he has played one more game than in Christian Fuchs, you will see what I mean... According to official Prem stats, LT has made just 12 successful tackles where Fuchs has made 18. He has won 16 aerial battles to Fuchs 20, Completed 307 passes to Fuchs 524. 19 Clearances to Fuchs 30. 10 Interceptions to Fuchs 16. Despite being 35yo, Fuchs experience of positioning, reading the game and a general understanding makes him a better option if his legs hadnt gone. This is not a criticism of LT. Luke Thomas has time on his side to go up a few levels and make more of a significant contribution. I repeat, I think he has the potential to get there but not now. I say we buy someone instead. Not long after my post of a few days ago, we have been linked with the likes of Gosens. To me that is no surprise. Rodgers will always back his players and boost confidence as thats what he does. However, I have no doubt we will buy another left back next season. I would personally prefer to have Gosens in and Castagne as his back up until JJ comes back into the side. With Riccardo, Castagne, JJ and potential a Gosens, I wouldn't keep LT around next season for another bit part season. It would have to be a loan but only to a lower league prem club or play-off chasing Championship club. Lets see if I am way off the mark on this one over the forthcoming months but I think we all need to chill a bit and cut LT a break and let the lad develop in time and not be fast-tracked because he has potential.

He made very few errors today, took up an advanced position which gave us plenty of options but at this stage of his development he hasnt quite got the level to be a real attacking threat in the final third. I think it will come in time. To be fair to him, Im not sure I would have subbed him today as he at least gave us balance whilst many of his team mates were so under par.

Its about confidence really. He is lacking it at the moment but you could see him going on a run of goals.

Its games like this where we miss Barnes who would have torn MOM Peters a new one. Madders not on form (doesnt look match fit) hurts us in the final third although fair play to him for breaking the prem long shot record with his 22 attempts. I`ll look at the table and gladly take the point as its better than a kick in the family jewels.

These guys will be training for two or three different line-ups regardless who is picked, and will just remind the players of what they have worked on for a week once theline-ups are confirmed. Chelsea will have a plan for Riccardo or Thomas, Castagne or Amartey and Ayoze or Maddison. 442 or 352! At the end of the day they they will play their way, us ours and the hope is we execute our plans better than they do on the day.

Nothing will ever take the place of our first Premier League win, especially being a London based fan and getting all non-Spurs and Arsenal fans cheering us on! However equally as pleasing for me is that we have built on the success. Champions League football followed and we made it to the Quarters, beating Sevilla who had won three Europa leagues on the bounce. 5th in the Prem last season and regardless of what happens this season, we will be finishing at least top 5 again. An FA Cup final awaits and we made the last 32 in the Europa, dominating the group stages. Finally, our squad is just superb with so many of them 24 years and under. It may have been surreal to win but this time around, it feels like we can be that club to constantly break the big 6 with a superb transfer policy and high quality manager to guide them.

You can imagine Brendan being treated in the press as a right piece of work if he left us, a couple of years after leaving Celtic for Leicester under such a cloud. I personally cant see it. We have a better squad than them, better owners and so many players of this squad are at an age where so much improvement lies ahead for many. Its also helpful he has already had a crack at a massive club in Liverpool so you would imagine there is no urgency to go to someone like Spurs who generally are huge under-achievers but talk like they are multiple champions in recent times.' The good news for Brendan is he will no doubt be getting a pay rise in the summer after all these links

Haha you have to laugh at some of this almost foaming of the mouth hyping up of LT in here and in particular your response. With respect mate, I watch all games and think I am a decent judge. LT is class in the making but not yet. I dont think he has assisted a goal and has been subbed a few times, including once at HT. He has been found out on occasion but has done plenty of good things too. As I have said numerous times in here, I really rate LT. I think at a similar age he is ahead of a player that went on to be sold for 50m and play for England in Chilwell. However, we need to be realistic regarding timing and the status of our club. With every season our squad gets stronger and we seem to be improving in cups and the league. We need to kick on again and not stagnate and need players that are ready, IMO JT is not that man next season. Just like I would now swap Dewsbury-Hall for Mendy in our squad next season and cash in after a great loan where he virtually gets an MOM every week, we should do the same with JT and get him ready for the first team when he is ready. James Justin is injured and wont be starting the season in the team and will need to build up match fitness after missing a pre-season. I just think its a season or two too early for JT and we should add someone of quality. To me, there is no surprise that we are linked to Robin Gosens today. IMO its the right thing to do for now. JT`s time will come with the first team but some of the people posting in here need to cut the kid some slack, let him develop and not fast track him because he is local and we will enjoy a complete LB in a couple of seasons.

Not every player is the same though mate. JJ played 100 odd games for Luton and learned pretty quickly. With JJ injured, that means LT is thrust straight into the first team which to me is too much to ask for someone with his lack of experience.

I think this is a case of blinkered home fans to be honest, putting too much emphasis on a local player and seeing things that aren't there. If you look at the raw data, he didn't tackle often, played them onside for a great chance and some of his crossing was really poor. He gives us balance with a really elegant left peg that he has but you cant say he had a good game at Palace. He wasnt terrible but for a CL club in the making, we need a bit more from that side of the pitch. He has huge potential but as I stated, he is not ready now. With JJ out for the season start, I don't think LT would be my first choice LB at the club. Castagne needs to stay at RB so I would be bringing in another natural left side left back to give JJ some competition. I'm prepared to bet Rodgers loans him out to a top half Championship club or lower prem club to get the guarantee of more games into him and see him grow. We saw White do that at Leeds last season, Godfrey looked great at Norwich last season before coming back to Everton and excelling whilst some fail. Huge potential, but not for a season or two for me.