Flasher

A reminder to all that Hughes chooses who we sign, not Slot.

His 5yr salary totaling about £78m is exactly why he's at City and not here.

Don't forget Jan Molby

They've built a very strong squad, and spent a fortune doing it.

Last year they were the starting 11 with nothing backing up, this year they are squad players, so yeah it is evidence of strength in depth. Exactly. We cruised last year with Arsenal and City dropping points all over the place. Arsenal were 2nd last season with just 74 points. That's a s*** challenge.

He looked solid, but it was Alat home against Championship side Southampton. He's only 19 isn't he? Looooong time yet before we see him regularly playing 1st team football. If Konate stays he'll be 4th option behind Jacquet next season. If Konate leaves I suspect we'll sign another established player also. He scares the s*** out of defenders (not just his looks). He'd be deadly in a good team, as he was when Newcastle had a consistent 11 last season with Isak. The difference between him and Gakpo, imo, would be night and day in our team.

What's the latest on this fella, has anyone said? Are we expecting him on the pitch again this season?

Big Joe is a menace, but Guimares is a menace AND can play football. Think Newcastle will be in trouble in the summer. I can see Guimares, Tonali and Eddie Howe all leaving. Gordon will then want to leave also. As Carra alluded. Gordon is the best Scouser in the league, by far, so should be playing for us.

Errr, what now?

Yep. German game is played at walking pace with little contact allowed.

Nice to see Wirtz and Salah link up a bit more on Saturday. More of that please.

Many clubs are struggling, not just us. I think the PL has just go too intense, too quick, plus the number of games. The players are being flogged. By comparison, the ageing Kane is cruising in Germany.

Exactly. Imagine the noise if our "best" player was asked to be player manager now.

This made me think about the old days. Imagine if there was so much talk and coverage and "insight" when some of the managerial appointments in the past were made. Our most successful manager ever, Paisley, had never managed before, but worked under a great... Pep Lijnders anyone? Shankly had won f*** all as manager before joining us and had a win % of 38% at Huddersfield. His team also lost to Chartlon 7-6, even though Huddersfield were winning 5-1 with 27 mins remaiming and Charlton only had 10 men. Brilliant Ramsay was on the bench.

Who should have played there instead v Newcastle?

Game of risk isn't it

The stats at the beginning are hilarious. He seems to wear a white glove like Michael Jackson, not sure how I feel about that.

Definitely, and CL qualification

I think Villa will drop out of top 4. Europa League win will be Emery's target, it's his thing.

No

Based on what, actually?

RB is quite literally the most covered position we have on the whole pitch. We have 3 of them, plus Gomez, plus 3 different midfielders that can and have played there. No other position has this. How is it negligent? Now if we could get a loan, sure, but who is available? If we could get a CB who can also play RB, then sure, I'm interested. Sounds like this guy could have been that, but Sunderland can't do it. s*** timing, but so was Frimpongs injury. Longer term, there's tons of evidence to suggest Gomez (age and injuries) Bradley (injuries) and Frimpong (may play further forward) are not our RB solutions, but that's for the summer when other players may actually be available.

So it's Sunderland, not us. Some right hot heads on here. Have a w*** lads / lasses.

Nearly 24hrs on. Last night was fun. Ekitike is outstanding.

Yeah. We sold Elliot really.l (loan with obligation to buy so we're probably counting on the cash. That's why Slot says he's Villa's player, not ours. He's right. Think only Villa can try and cancel the deal but they'd have to pay a sum to do so, which makes no sense for them as they can't afford to blow money on nothing. Edit. Emery is not the hero he gets made out to be. He's a bit of a dick really.