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You'd imagine even if it happened this week they'd stick an appeal in to get him through one game

I think Cunha will be in big trouble too... losing him for 5 games perhaps would be a nightmare.

Surprised he's not ventured abroad given he's done it before. A decent year in Germany or Spain would be great for him.

Not sure I buy into all this "he'll get a bigger job" chat. Kompany got the Bayern job because he's one of the best players in the world over the last 20 years, and a respected leader. He brings a brand with him as well as good ideas. I've always found it a bit strange Martins obsession with possession based football, i'd throw Ian Evatt (bit rogue but he's doing the same at Bolton and getting nowhere) in there too... both absolute slogger defenders, last ditch tackles, lump it as far away as you can... and suddenly they both turn into deciples of Pep when they start their coaching careers. Just feels a bit short sighted, I can forgive Kompany because he was coached by Pep for several years... but a couple of lads from the lower leagues who barely strung a pass together in their playing career, just feels weird. Surely when you're back is against the wall you call upon a bit of the experience that gave you a successful playing career, tighten things up at the back, getting back to basics against teams you don't stand a chance competing against? People waxed lyrical about Holloway's Blackpool the season they were up... never got him a big job or kept them safe though did it?

Danny Rohl is an obvious choice, done incredibly well at Sheff Weds, was Hassenhuttls assistant… if they go down with him he’d be a great shout to get them back up after a reset.

At the very least this is quite therapeutic after a shite weekend of results

There was quite a lot from PSV fans about the amount of space between the lines with his tactics. It’s not something you’re going to get away with in the Prem. 74 shots in 3 games 🙈🙈 Hopefully he makes the necessary adjustments/player additions.

I can’t wait, just made some space in the garden…

There's some nations league ****ery going on in March, which is when the World Cup qualifiers start. So the groups of 4 contain teams that have a game in March so need to lose a gameweek. Groups of 5 will start qualifying in March. ..... I think.

Youth Cup tonight against Chelsea, was going to go but took tickets off sale so assume it's sold out. Hopefully we can progress and have a few games at the KP.

Doesn't feel "Just north" when you've already done a 3 hour journey and get excited when you see Newcastle before realising you still have another 45 mins/hour to go

Yeah don't quite get the "Use your squad!!!" narrative.... does that mean he also gets to sub himself, coaching staff, support staff etc out too... as they'll have done the journey also

The "Make a Wish" Derby

Pleased we replaced Nacho

More chance of seeing Michael Holding than Michael Golding!

Some sort of Eni Aluko/Michael Owen double act going on in here today?

The West Brom of the Belgian league Just catching up on the last page or so... still trying to get my head around Top hiring RVN and Chris Coleman in the same week... it's like he time travels whenever he gets on the private jet

I actually think he'd give us a couple more years if things weren't lining up so perfectly for him at potential suiters. The problem with goalkeepers is as soon as a number 1 position looks available, you have to go. If he turns down Man City or Chelsea in the summer and they sign someone else, their door is shut, potentially forever. You could even argue the GK positions at Bayern (Neuer coming to the end) and Barcelona (Ter Stegen under scrutiny and often injured)) are looking more available than usual too.

Any idea what the two 7pm Sunday kick offs are about this weekend? Assume it'll be some sort of Premier League USA initiative... not sure I remember it last season?

FA Youth Cup 3rd round on Friday night Vs Chelsea is at the training ground, tickets available. Interesting to see who features, we've been using a few of the U18's at 21's level and if they play as usual there's 3 games in 6 days over the next two weeks. Although perhaps the Marseille game will be treat as an experiment as it's a friendly apparently. No other U18 fixtures until January though so perhaps they'll play all 3.

Hard to argue against this being the most entertaining premier league fixture. Never disappoints!

Decisive subs isn’t something we’ve had for a long time, even under managers who have had success (Brendan and Enzo), that was nice to see! Early ones too on 60mins.

I imagine it’ll be to do with the manager hiring. You can imagine Ashworth shortlist was something like Thomas Frank, Southgate etc… whereas United once again have decided to go for someone who has done well in a pony league

Shows the benefits of a brilliantly run club top to bottom too… people bang on about Brighton but Brentford are ahead of them for me.