MarkD

Birthday games for me include: winning the league at Chelsea in 1986 “ghost goal” v Chelsea 2005

Sorry, very little said recently other than we have been looking at Christos Tzolis a few times this season. Someone in the transfer team is a big fan.

It’s more likely performances like this rather than actual results get the manager sacked

The team whoever is picked will kick off, pass back to Ali who will put it studs on the ball and look forlornly for an out ball (no chance as the players are all standing still next to a sweat Ham player like trauma survivors looking for support) then roll it Konate, who slowly trundles it to Virg who imperiously looks up before giving it a welly over Mo’s head. Minute one and you can tell what’s going to happen.

Guy I get things from has been quiet recently and whilst he knows I post here, is keen to sanitise to ensure no tracing as things are tense. There has been a player/manager separation since early season. They feel they aren’t being developed or coached to embrace the changing nature of the premiership and the manager and his team feel that once given a style of play is explained the players should adapt to meet the challenges. Secondly, there are groups of dissatisfied players (not playing enough, being shifted to suit others, pre season promises not being fulfilled) and this has created massive disharmony. Also, some of the established players feel the buys are inferior to friends and teammates who have moved on. The word I was told is “sulking”. Told it’s a mess and not like a Liverpool dressing room.

Decent bloke and seems genuine. Loved what he did with Antonia for 2/3rds of last season. He won the league so he gets a grace period BUT… * we’ve gone from poor to utter dogs***e in warp speed * every game feels like it’s inevitable we’ll concede, slow the game down to a sub walking speed, fail to defend and lose. What do the coaching and training sessions entail, other than handshakes at the coffee bar? * he looks bemused and doesn’t seem to have any answers other than asking teams not to play low blocks/long balls against us. * the player have no energy, drive or joy - should he not be instilling these? I never want to see anyone lose their job but this is inevitable so I’d do it now rather than embarrass us and him further.

I was expecting something like this season last year as we navigated a new manager, player contract and the inevitable come down from Klopp. The rational part of me says last season buys this season so I don’t want the manager replaced but this can’t go on much longer (Mick MacArthy voice: It can you know). He needs to manage players better by selecting those who have earned the right to play and drop those who continually underperform. Be stronger. Oh and stop telling people what we don’t like playing against. It does feel inevitable unfortunately however.

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I naively think that for the senior players last Saturday night was the nadir and we’ll perform well tomorrow and regain some form and pride. An utopian 1-0 win.

Manager, transfer gurus, both, neither? - I‘m not sure but we have moved away from big, powerful, quick, dynamic players in a league that demands a couple of that type in each squad. Hard to see what comes next as this squad appears unable to stop transitions or runners as well as playing like a Roy Evans tribute team when faced with high balls into the box.

Don’t know if this is the right place to post but it’s relevant to how we appear I feel. I won’t name names. Three of the established players are still receiving counselling post Diogo and it is inadvertently impacting across the integration on a high number of new personalities unsurprisingly. Energy and atmosphere are often flat despite the group trying to lift both. Not an excuse but definitely relevant.

I get the impression he fancies the United job.

As you all know, the manager threatened to walk hence Palace felt they were backed into a corner to keep Guehi. Parish was good to deal with (wanted the best for his club, open about keeping their captain for their first Euro game, and shifting the price to a reasonable one). Guehi was very upset when he heard but is committed to being the best he can be for them and still 100% focused on joining us - more likely next summer. As an aside, when it leaked it had broken down, his agent got a call from RM within minutes sniffing out a freebie for next summer. Lastly, in discussions, we again let it be known we are in for Wharton for next summer. Man U, Man City and Barca been in contact too but we hope our approach and flexibility with Palace have us in a good position.

How long before we see journos/d****eads proposing Arsenal bid given Havertz is injured? Not because anyone really wants Isak at Arsenal but to stop Liverpool.

Just adding to what others have said, we’ve now offered 38 + add ons. It’s now what the adds on are to be and payment structure. Palace want to hold him until they get a replacement but they are close to signing someone.

I thought it was a tram in Blackpool (ask your parents, kids).

As my wife says to our son, if things look bad, blame your dad.

He wants to stay at Palace this season. We did approach and suggest buy and loan him for the season. The price was north of £65m I heard and I know we like him but nothing more recently. He’s very good.

Does your erotic curiosity involve swings and roundabouts? Asking for a friend.

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No news on Guehi I’m afraid but have heard we are trying to agree something with Palace for Wharton - either a buy now and he stays there on loan for the season or we agree a price now for next year’s window. Latter is not the usual way of business but not been ruled out.

I have nothing - holidays getting in the way! Due to catch up mid next week so hold on and if I get anything I’ll post.