deep blue

Yes, you're right. I just got the feeling there was a bit of desperation to get him bloodied before we'd had the time to get him up to full fitness, and I'm concerned the same thing might happen with Silva (if he's truly signed). Up till now he's been maintaining his fitness but not in the more full-on way with the squad, and with the fitness/injury problems we've had so far I'm almost expecting another with every turn of events.

Like Iheanacho's cameo against Arsenal? That went well, didn't it?

Is there a call-back option on the loan, or is Barnes there for the whole season?

Thank goodness for that!

But you could equally take a positive view of this - it's already 12 days and so far we haven't heard confirmation of FIFA's decision (or rebuttal of an appeal). I prefer to keep that little hope alive.

I agree too, and thanks. Keep whatever info you can coming. Any little ray of hope...

But there is a difference, in that LCFC had the option whether to include Benalouane or not. Here, LCFC have no input; Silva is prevented by FIFA from any playing involvement. The fact that he is being paid is surely not enough; he is being prevented from pursuing his profession in full.

How do you know the club aren't disputing it? I don't remember seeing them issuing any statement where they admitted that. In fact, the only information I saw (from the Merc, I think) implied that the club sent the paper's in time and it was a question of when they were received.

Doesn't the blame lie with the FA, then, for their tardiness in requesting the IPC?

And was he stopped from working for 4 months?

Your points have some merit but you have the wrong take on this one. Playing in competitive matches is what being a professional footballer is all about, and is his ultimate use to the team. The other aspects, training etc, are important but are really just a means to that end. To suggest that a restriction is the same as being injured is nonsense. Injury is a matter of luck; if Silva were to continue uninjured, which is well possible, he would be able to play out the whole season whereas, while the restriction in place, he would be denied any meaningful action at all and therefore disallowed from plying his trade.

Agree.

No, because the train has gone. But here we are talking about the football season which is still here and continuing. It's a completely inappropriate analogy. I see your point that rules are rules, but you always have to ask what are the rules for and how should they be interpreted. LCFC have not tried to gain an unfair advantage by inadvertently missing a deadline by a few seconds, and I'm sure the rules weren't put in place in order to deny an innocent player time on the pitch. It is also interesting to wonder why there should be a difference in eligibility simply because it is a transfer between nations.

Well done. Can anyone enter the raffles, or do you have to be a season ticket holder or member or have priority points?

Is it possible that FFP concerns made us wary of signing Silva without selling Drinky first?