AVTuco

Because he was our player. That's why. I hate it when we badmouth players that are leaving. It makes us look incredibly small-time. I have no knowledge of him being a rotten apple. And I won't believe it anymore anyway if someone claims so. I'm not bothered by Fulham.

Maybe it would be even more credible, if even one player was worth less now than at the time of purchase? My suggestion: Tonev 1 mill. He was better when we only watched YouTube clips and no-one could actually see him play.

When Benteke leaves we will have to make changes to our midfield. Whoever is his successor, will likely not be able to create his own chances. If it's Kozak, he needs much better service.

Because they're different types of players filling different roles. They are forwards but that's about all they have in common. It's like asking "Why bring in Benteke when we already have Agbonlahor?" Different attributes to fill different holes in the squad. There's very little that's similar about Bowery and Helenius. Bowery is a big powerful guy, good at holding up the ball and battling with big defenders, handy for taking the ball down to the corner flag when trying to hold on to a lead. Helenius is tall but better with the ball at his feet than in the air, can play in the hole to lay off balls to the main man or run onto rebounds. They will develop differently and into different types of players. I think Kozak was brought in to be a long term replacement for Benteke and I think he will play in a similar role to Benteke. He is still getting used to his teammates and the league and isn't ready to be that guy just yet, but we all know Benteke will be off next year (much as we'd all like him to stay). Kozak has a year to bed in with the squad and grow into that role. He stepped into the shoes a bit early due to the injury and he isn't the finished article yet, but it took Benteke several games to find his feet in the league too. My expectation is that Kozak spends this year bedding in, getting used to the league, getting game time up top with Benteke or off the bench, occasional starts for when Benteke's tired or injured or suspended (the way he throws elbows around he'll be bound to miss a match or two), and he'll be ready to lead the line next season. Helenius and Bowery will probably take a little longer to break into the first team. Bowery might never get there, to be honest, he may never be anything more than a squad player, but the money we spent on these two players, around 1.3m, would not have gotten us too far in the market -- even if you combined that with the Kozak money, for a combined total of about 6m. We would not have been able to bring in the AM we all crave for that kind of money, at least not one ready to go straight into the first team. In Helenius, I think we have a guy who has a very bright future, but that future might be a couple of seasons off still. I thought it was smart to bring Kozak in this year and give him a whole season to bed in, and I think it will pay off in the long run. This is well put Heid3ster, probably the plan is something like this. I wish I was as sure about Kozak's abilities as you. So far, I'm not. But will give him much more time. When Benteke is back, we'll forget about this guy for a while, which may be good for his development. Sitting on the bench for a year probably isn't though.

But you have to take some chances to go forward. Other option is to play hoofball.

I don't agree that Bent was a bad influence, but maybe this thread should be about Nicklas. I really hope he gets his chance. He's a real player (one day).

Barkov handled Sid quite easily, playing against him all game. This guy will be something special.

Only a week now

Just to be safe, please don't play. Not one minute.

Denmark.

This is probably the wrong thread, but I HATE THESE INTERNATIONAL BREAKS!

Results not actions.

I see what you're saying, and kind of agree. But then I'm left thinking: what does he really do to close out a game? And why send out an attacker to close out a game?

Slowly and unnoticed, the guy improves every game.

It's not clear yet who is our RB going forward. Bacuna has performed very well and I like him a lot. However, it won't take too many bad games for Bacuna and Lowton will get his chance. I hope this doesn't happen, but it's just been a few games yet for Leandro.

It didnt at all Hehe, well yeah, didn't last long. I think I'll keep quiet for a while....

Funny how I was just about to write the opposite. He does nothing really for me. He's not bad, but he's not good either. I have to follow him to notice him on the pitch. Other than set pieces, I don't know what his role exactly is. Again, I don't think he's bad. But something's missing maybe?

I too hope fans stay with him in spite of some of those horrific crosses he has displayed lately. He is good, works hard, and is needed.

You mean he'll fit in well with the others? It's funny when he comes on and we await the atomic strike. I expect him to entertain us. Other than that he doesn't provide us anything that a mid level champions league player couldn't.

Yes, with him we would've won. He would have made the difference.

Ok, thanks for the explanation Chris.

Hmmm ok, was a little surprised by your comment. I think he's vital to us because of our lack of firepower, and am not sure if less so at home. We already have Andi who is not playing that well, but who has no quality back up. I'm not sure Gabby has either.

Why not?

Because he's been injured and only trained on Thursday since returning. Ok, so nothing to worry about I suppose.

He shot too little.