drumbeat

Don't give a flyng f*** about this game now. We were purring and I was loving it.... now I just feel sick to the stomach. I hope and prey Fofana is OK but that looked really nasty. Out for a season that's not even started.

Not necessarily, no, but it does perhaps increase your chances. I see what Merson is saying and the reasoning behind it. It's not an unreasonable opinion. Yet is only that, and opinion. Nothing is set in stone and stuff happens contrary to popular opinion.

You can be shit for the first few weeks into the season and it can all come right. So preseason? Pffffttttt....

Thank you @SO1 Yes, I too read that Maswanhise preferred the right.

He did. One of our better set piece takers too (not that that's particularly difficult!) Maybe we should make like American football and bring him on only for corners and free kicks?? Nah, he is a good footballer. Lovely feet... when he gets the ball under control that is. But let's not get carried away, he's best off leaving. For all his obvious skills on the ball, he is too slow for our game and he really doesn't get involved enough.

I think the desire to 'replace Mahrez' has become a near on obsession. Mahrez worked for us (well, not always, he could be a bit work shy... wot! shock horror!! criticism of our "sweet prince" ) ... where was I? Ah yes, Mahrez worked for us in that formation with that crop of players. It's a different team now and we play a different way. Yes, we could do we another creative player to give us options to unlock the defences that sit back against us (not a problem only we have btw) but it doesn't need to be a right winger. Maswanhise was a bright star last night. Early days, I know, but I was super impressed with him; both his skills and his confidence. Wouldn't it be great if out next 'sweet prince' was already within our ranks?

Yes, he looked comfortable yesterday. Hopefully he'll get another run out and we can have a better look. Until then, my jury's out. The only times I've seen him play (and I didn't see any of his Celtic games) he's looked decent enough but you've got to ask what the heck's been going on with/for him. It makes me uncertain, that's for sure. I'd imagine his confidence has taken a bit of a hit so maybe a couple of games and getting involved in training will see him regain that.

I live in France and get by pretty well. I sort of still speak English but use French words. That is to say, my structure and stuff I talk about is 'English'. I'm understood no problems but flag myself very quickly as a non-native speaker, even though my accent is pretty good. You learn how to 'get by' and then realise the language is spoken differently. You learn French from whatever source (formal lessons, on-line, tapes, apps, whatever) and then you have to learn over how to use it. I'm of the opinion that to really learn a language (that is, how it's actually used) you have to do it by immersion in the country. I accept now that I'll never be native-speaker level but I can hope for some kind of fluency. I'm even of the opinion that you can say things in another language that you just can't, or wouldn't, say in English. Many a times I've heard something in French, heard every single word and know what the words mean individually... but put together as they have been, I'm left clueless! How the f*** it means what it means is beyond me. And sometimes I hear stuff and I'll think you just wouldn't even say it English. And, of course, there are accents and regional/dialects to contend with. Does your brain in at times.

My poor brother could not take it and left the UK to go home.

Looking at that YT vid, Edouard is a cool headed finisher. I like that. I hope it's something he can do in the Premier League too where, it has to be said, the defending will be of higher quality.

That chant's well cool. If/when he's signed, I hope we get the rights to use it too! I've seen him a few times this season and I haven't been impressed tbh. So I'm relieved to read he's not been at his best. Hopefully BR knows how to get the best out of him.