deep blue

Would need to replay the match to remember. Could it be that our players stopped delivering to him, or that Leeds cut off the supply, or maybe (for some reason) he was under management instruction not to push on? Intriguing.

Doyle more solid than JJ?

Was it at the KP?

"Why would you spend...when you are buying for the Prem" Simple answer ... Mahrez. If, and a big if, you can unearth an unpolished gem at Xmas with half a season to get him up to speed for the next season then that's the optimum time to bring him in. Sensi isn't unpolished but does need bringing up to speed, and he certainly fitted the "bargain basement" requirement. Just hope this doesn't upset Enzo too much.

We have the opportunity to pay back Bournemouth soon

Mahrez comes into that category too. As someone has already said, Yunus still has 3 months more of football in which to grow into the English game so he might bring himself up to the level to cope in the Prem by then.

Sheffield U fared no better in the cup without Thomas, and their left side of defence was ripped open time after time, a shambles. I think it was a poor decision to send Luke to such a mess of a team. Will be interesting to see if he fits in better at Middlesbrough. I suspect his confidence took a huge knock during his last 2 seasons with us.

Did he forget to mention that we stuffed Man U en route to that final win?

Hit the nail on the head there. What a waste of what should have been his best footballing years.

I think the recurring theme is the coincidence of players regressing when they come under the influence of an "elite" coach.

Following this on the live text, weird that we still have more possession but they are having all the pressure. Their lad Stansfield appears to be being given the freedom of the park. If he's their danger man, why aren't we taking some measures to reduce his impact?

Snowdrift, I think you misread this forum when you talk about arrogance.. Many on here have shown great respect for what you have achieved and would like to see you promoted. You must forgive those on here whose knowledge extends back only 20 or 30 years - during that period we have been usually the superior team - but rest assured that oldies like me still remember the top title winning Ipswich side of the late 50s (?). If I remember rightly your 2 stonking forwards were Ted Phillips & Ray Crawford. What a team that was!

Who knows why he hasn't been involved? He was on the bench v Ipswich and was sorely needed to be brought on when others started to flag. And please don't say that it's because Maresca didn't rate him - it's insanity to include someone on the bench that you have absolutely no intention of bringing on under any circumstances. I find it a mystery why he's been given so little playing time this season. But as a general point I agree completely with Babylon; so many of our players were badly treated by our previous management that I find it hard to judge too harshly.

Our usual modus operandi is to wear the opposition down and tire them out by the 2nd half, but that rather worked in reverse this time

Yes, 2 main criticisms for me. 1. Use your subs more quickly, and proactively rather than reactively; memories of Brendan. 2. Mavdidi was running them ragged first half and was anonymous in the second - identify why that's happened and make changes to reverse it (a simple action which rarely seems to be tried is to switch your wingers).

This sums up my view perfectly. I feel that he should be above this league and I sense that he has the technical ability to adapt to how Maresxa might want to use him. He's a conundrum, but I always give our players some leeway for the demotivating effect of Rodgers, and in Praet's case I just hope that Enzo can work some magic on him.

I like that idea too. Not sure Hamza is capable of being creative enough - it's a big ask - but at least he would be good at pressing/turning over possession higher up the field. Our tackling is sometimes very weak; I think we will be needing to challenge Ipswich strongly in midfield.

Interesting formation. Hamza & Ricardo doubling up on our RHS could compensate for Casadei's weakness in the tackle etc, and encourage more committed involvement from him.

It would be interesting to see how Daka & Cannon could develop as a twosome up front. Problem is that the days of 2 up top seem to be numbered.

Would Thomas want to go to Leeds?

Agree with this. He started well for us and had a productive understanding with Barnes but, like so many of our players, eventually suffered from the Rodgers effect.

I'll never forget that goal. I was there, watching from very close to his position. His touch! And I'm sure it was pouring down at the time which made the perfection of the pass even more incredible.

The. That's good to hear.

I do think there are a few on here who have an agenda against Hamza (I don't include you amongst those, Stryder). When assessing any of our squad who were with us before this season you have to take into account the damage done by the treatment of certain players by the poisoned dwarf. In Hamza's case, he was given opportunities by the previous incumbent and responded well. His strength was always as a destroyer but he was young enough to improve on his creative side were he given the right coaching and opportunity, But he was virtually frozen out by Rodgers. I seem to remember one particular game where he was thrown into a weakened team as CB against Liverpool; we won 2-1 very much against the odds, he excelled and was lauded by Rodgers for his performance, and was summarily dropped out of sight. So during his most important few years of his development he has been neglected. It's always heartening to see our local lads make their way into the team, so although their abilities shouldn't be assessed through blue-tinted specs I feel they should receive encouragement from the fans. What you can definitely say about Hamza is that he always gives of his best and he loves the club. If only the same could have been said about some of the faint hearts who contributed to our demise over the last 2 seasons.

Is their any chance Alves will be fit and up to speed? A long shot, but he might be able to have a useful impact. I could see some inventive tweaks being needed in our formation in order to find a way to compensate for lack of Ndidi., there being no obvious like-for-like replacement.