CloudFox

From behind the sofa

Fuuuuuuck this is on isn't it. C'mon Leicester, don't do this to us...

Oh god, I now feel like we need another goal

No ****ing way. West Ham, are you okay?

Really good point. Biggest problem at the back has been players not adept at his system, and that needs to improve, rapidly. You'd hope getting guys in who know the drill would improve the foundations much, much faster.

I know lots have said he doesn't give a shit (see: Notts County goal) but I think it's quite telling about Souttar's professionalism and the club's willingness to keep him that he's starting despite wanting away, while others (Mavididi, Choudhury, Faes) are not playing at all due to possible moves. If he stays, I think he will be important for our success. If he is leaves, so be it and hopefully we have time to reinvest. I doubt he leaves now though.

Good shout. Aluko in for Thomas if the former is fit.

I reckon only Souttar will be in. Maybe Okoli. I'd love Kangasniemi to play, but think maybe it's a bit early for him. Going to be a rough old game.

There are plenty of criticisms to level at Martin, but currently his press conferences shouldn't be one of them. We are trying to shift a lot of deadwood, most of whom do not want to be here. So he has to keep the squad happy without throwing anyone under the bus, while also drumming up interest to get them sold and not being sure what his final squad will look like. It's why the transfer window being open during the season is often just a bit shit. Really hope we can get the business done we need to, but mainly just want it to slam shut already so everyone can just crack on.

Nervous about this one. Sounds like MK's style is the exact type that will **** us up. Really, really hoping for a win and to put some doubts on ice.

I think it was Faes that Martin was referring to in his press conferences to be honest. Said something along the lines of some players wanting to leave but not currently even knowing where or what level they'd have to accept. Sounds a bit desperate to me, but maybe that suggests he will just leave if he gets an opportunity. Might just have to drop his expectations to do so. Shame Monaco didn't want him back, as that would probably have removed the wages issue.

Would give us a good chance of signing him in the future, at least.

Really hope this is true, and we get him in. Would be great to have a Kanga and a Roo as a defensive pairing.

What makes you say that? 👀

Sorry to burst your bubble Ric, but apparently he's right footed. Seems at least capable of playing on the left though!

Have a feeling he's going to be a good, solid option for us this season. Wings feel kind of okay now, with backup/competition, which is not something we've been able to say for a while. Early days, but Alves left, Burns right, Watson and Howell to challenge/come on in the second half should be good enough for the league. It's up front and at the back that will make us struggle.

True, but I suppose it depends on the characters: If doing those things gets the wins, it makes it much much harder for a manager to drop you. So it suggests they'd rather play than win, which again speaks to their mentality and being in "self-preservation mode" rather than caring about results and the team.

This is part of the reason I'm not 100% convinced it is solely down to Martin. If you have any professional pride as a player, at some point you say "**** it", spot a run from a winger and smash the ball up to them to see what they can do, regardless of manager instructions. Do we really think the players are so scared of Martin they dare not go against his apparent wishes? Or like you said, just move the ball quicker because you have an urgency to try and win. It's not walking football after all, and these are all allegedly professional players we employ.

What an utter car crash. Wish the window had closed before we kicked off, as I think our squad should look different and I'm clinging to hope that will make us look less like relegation candidates. I can't believe I'm even contemplating this, but for the time being I think we'd be better with Skipp and Okoli out with Hamza and Faes in. Yeah, I know... Ideally they'd all leave and all would be replaced...but that's not going to happen, is it. Also not enjoying Souttar, he looks so panicky and pretty horrific right now. Doesn't suit the system at all.

Hopefully two CBs, a CDM and a Striker 🤞🏻

Fixed that for you.

Agreed, it really is promotion or administration this season. Grim.

Seen enough. I'm out. We are a joke of a club. Okoli and Souttar nowhere near fit to play at this level. They should be ashamed of whatever they were just doing. It certainly wasn't "defending".

I'm not calling anyone negative at all. Certainly not as a criticism. I also feel like that, but I don't want to or think I can for too much longer. If anything I'm trying to rally myself as much as others to hang in there. I agree with all that you are saying.

We are one game in. We didn't lose. It's not much, but there are still 45 games to come. Let's all just cling to hope that we'll see some personnel changes at the back and some attacking football going forward. I can't take another season of negativity from the off (and I understand, even agree with a big chunk of the why, as I did last season). It's just ****ing draining. Following your team should be something you enjoy, not endure. Even if just in flashes.