deep blue

Isn't 't Aluko used to playing behind Monga? If so, that makes it even more compelling to play him.

In the circumstances I think this is a really good shout, and a selection with the future in mind,. Hamza isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he adds fight, energy, determination, speed, and a strong tackle - all of which are lacking in our other midfield options. He would also make the most suitable captain. My only disagreement is that it's too early and big a jump for Hutchinson - would prefer Evans (if available), or even Daka who would provide a disruptional spearhead (at least he would provide a decent press in tandem with the youngsters around him). Page would be a useful midfield option on the bench, too. We desperately need the energy and commitment these youngsters would bring.

No, Hamza is a better option because, unlike Soumare, he has the aggression that we are so short of in our squad. One of the few players we have who will put in a solid tackle, as well as having the speed and commitment to chase back. So, in spite of his shortcomings, he's much the better choice than Soumare for our midfield. I also agree with the poster above that, if not Hamza, Faes would be potentially a better choice as defensive midfielder for similar reasons (except that his commitment is suspect, and he might refuse to play in an unfamiliar position because of his international ambitions).

Agreed, but he could have selected other ones. Admittedly, that would have meant making up half of our team from our academy, and we would have a testing season with no chance of promotion. But we have no chance anyway; much the reverse. And it would give us much more heart to see players who are fit, energetic, attack-minded, determined etc. It is the better long term option. Because our current players are so lacking in fight we will be in great danger if we slip into the relegation zone. One shot on target today after so much possession ... disgraceful.

The. Can you tell me what's the source of that info?

Do you know if there are any official or believable statistics to substantiate your claim that most illegal entrants by boat are young men seeking employment? I've noted people frequently making this claim but have never seen a verifiable information source quoted. It would appear odd to me if true. Surely it's well enough known by now that immigrants are not allowed to work until they have been assessed as genuine asylum seekers, and that that process is very lengthy and far from certain it will give the outcome they need.

He should have been offered it a year ago. Steady progress year on year with Stockport County, with limited resources. Unlucky to miss promotion to the Championship via the play-offs last season and has Stockport top of div1 tonight.

Yes, just about my first season watching. Oddly, a recent addition to our table tennis group turns out to be the son of Fred Worthington who apparently played in midfield for us in the previous season (I didn't remember him).

Just watching Brentford on MOTD. If our players had only 50% of their commitment and, teamwork we would be OK. Our players are so weak in intent and mentality.

70 years for me ... I empathise completely.

According to info I've just been sent the most recent council by-elections (unfortunately I don't know how far that goes back) show Reform to have won 49 seats, LibDem 43, Con 15, Labour 13 and Greens 11.

I would agree if it weren't for the talented youngsters that he won't include in the mix.

Do you remember the summer after Vardy joined, when he was in such a bad way that he considered giving it all up? He said he was given huge support from within the club which convinced him to work at turning it round and sticking with us. I think it's no coincidence that Vardy and Nige are the two that have come out with such glowing tributes to Susan. I suspect that she was the one from high in the club that gave approval and support to the attempts to keep Vardy on board, especially given the references to her empathy and kindness that come through from the two statements. If so, I certainly think that tips the balance when assessing her overall contribution to our club.

Thanks for that input. Very encouraging. All the best for the season.

I've been frustrated watching the same. So often we eschew the direct ball out to the wing, achieving it eventually by several short passes by which time the oppo defence is well set and has covered the move.

It pains me to think that, we could have got in Ollie Watkins or Jarrod Bowen had we been prepared to take a punt on up-and-coming Championship strikers. Either would have been a fair Vardy replacement.

Looking at the clip, Faes committed himself to the slide a bit early. Had the ball bounced a bit unpredictably - a bit higher or lower, or a spin to the side - then he would have hit the oppo player rather than the ball, so it was definitely a bit risky diving in the way he did. Having said that, it definitely ended up being a fair, legal challenge so the penalty was incorrect (as confirmed by the attacker appealing for a corner).

We're all aware of Daka's limitations, but the team can do better as an attacking unit with him because he disrupts the oppo defence with his runs & pressing, which opens up gaps which the others can exploit. (Ayew doesn't have that capability and is a big factor in the slowness of us getting forward). We need to use him even more effectively though, by showing more attacking intent - pushing balls up more quickly from defence, supporting him better from our midfield, and our wingers in particular anticipating the ball breaking into spaces and being ready to seize on the opportunities.

A week ago someone on here pointed out that our youth teams have developed the habit of letting in goals towards the end of games, and it's happened again last night. I wonder why that is.

I've always held the belief that if you keep back a youngster at a certain level for too long then he's bound to lose motivation and stagnate. That reverberates with the comment on here that some of the team performances at youth levels seem so flat. I agree that with so many youngsters coming through it looks like we get our timing wrong in bringing them up to the next level. It's so important for next season, particularly if we end up promoted, that we've done the best we can to progress the youngsters who we judge to have a high ceiling and who, with the right encouragement, might be able to cope with a place in the squad in the Prem.

Interesting. The irony is ... if, with Ayew in the team, we tap it around but end up by punting it up in the end anyway then we'd be better off having Daka in there to chase the punts, so he might as well start in preference to Ayez.

With regard to our youngsters, noone is suggesting we bring them through too quickly, but I think the key consideration is where we will be at the start of next season if we manage to achieve promotion. The last thing we'll want is, like last season, to start with a squad which relies on experienced players who are past their prime, not of the required standard, or who have no fight or commitment to the club. Therein lies certain relegation. So we do need to give sufficient exposure, over the course of this season, to our youngsters who look to have a high ceiling - Monga, Page, Aluko, Nelson at the least - in the hope that they can step up to Prem level next season (not necessarily as starters, but as squad players). I guess we're early into the season now, and Cifuentes is still assessing everything, so no need to panic yet that we're not seeing a lot of these young talents.

This is well thought out. I also think it's worth giving Daka a little run because, even if he f*ks up on the ball, the amount of disruption his speed could cause on the oppo defence could cause them to be spilling the ball which would enable our more gifted players (Monga, Fatawu etc) to seize on the ball in more open and dangerous areas. It would enable us to attack more directly. We are so ponderous at the moment and that seems to play into the hands of the oppo defences.

Looking at MOTD tonight I noticed that BHA, Brentford and CP in particular (teams that are now where we aspire to be) were all benefitting from playing fast, direct football on the break. And Micah Richards pointed out that speed of transition appeared to be the successful way for such clubs to succeed. We surely should be looking to develop that style, both in order to get promoted and then to give us the best chance of staying up in the Prem. With current players like Monga and Fatawu we surely have the ability to develop that st yle within the current squad.

Stop right there. That's a statement that can't be justified by any reasoning. The only gains from space research, looking for extraterrestrial life, are technological advances that would be found through routine research programs in the various spheres, which are far less costly. As someone else has said, these are vanity projects, and if you doubt that just look at the characters who have recently emerged to play leading roles in promoting it.