Sunny*Nunny

Celtic fans were well p#$$3d that we got him too, since they'd been after him for a while.

Yes Petrov was involved in this one. To be fair the other squad members remarked that Tonev was the one they were most excited about during pre-season (i don't have quotes). Maybe we all got excited about the prospect of the 'Atomic Strike'. Youtube lied.

Yes, 55 apparently

So we know that Lambert was instructed to buy most of a full squad, for around £40M over a 2 year period? I would have thought he'd have the option to integrate a new team more slowly by bringing in fewer, better quality players.

Just said on Sky that Guzan had the most touches of all our players. Im not surprised about having only 27% possession when as soon as we have the ball we long pass into areas crowded with players of the opposition.

As a team that is capable of taking points from the bigger clubs on occasion, I would like to think that some of these clubs would see it as being in their interest to send someone our way to threaten their rivals. Wishful thinking....................

Thanks HH Is this plan something that RL has signed up to and therefore PL is on the promise of a bigger budget next summer?

Maybe Benteke's future owners are being tapped up to push someone our way.

-------------------Guzan------------------ Lowton-----Baker-------Clarke---------Luna ----------------Westwood------------------ ----Bacuna------Gardner------Delph------- ------------Kozak--------Gabby------------ I'd actually like to see Bacuna in the middle, but I think Gardner deserves a shot. So, Bacuna and Delph to provide service from the wings to Kozak and also to provide cover for Lowton and Luna (hence the reason for dropping Albrighton for Bacuna). Gabbys pace to offer a decent counter attacking option. .

I think most on here would rather discuss matters directly relating to players, what happens on the pitch and the clubs future.

Maybe Michael Henke's departure from the scouting staff has impacted our signings?

Agree. "Young and hungry" needs to be refined. You can't have this at the expense of fielding a substandard team. You can still buy quality at the right age where they can be sold at a profit before they get too old. Not for a couple of million or less though. If HH is correct that january activity will be limited to 1 loan signing then this needs to be reviewed also. Not good enough. Hopefully todays result will influence this. What I can't see a way out of is the dire, or lack of tactics. I refuse to accept that every outfield player is incapable of simple pass and move basics. If HH is correct this also implies to me that Lerner truly is thinking "well done Lambert keep them in the league with this tiny budget so i can scrape my money back and get the hell outta here." Which could be seen as a good thing when he finally leaves. how much is the club worth now? how much if relegated? the cost of investment now should be considered insurance against the risk of loss of the value of the club if relegated, or am I missing something?

He'd walk straight into our squad........

0-2 loss Guzan gets injured and Bacuna is tried in goal Bowery misses a penalty Culverhouse chins laudrup We go again

If he gave them the finger then hopefully someone may have noticed how hairy it was.

For the last 4 or 5 games now I'm reading that the problem with Luna is lack of protection from midfield. Luna has been a favourite of mine and I'm getting worried that he's on the decline. if you ask me his confidence is shot following some bad performances. it must be bad, people are talking about Bennett again!

I imagine the only way we will know if this is true will be if there is an apology.

We are in a similar table / points position to this time last year. We have been unlucky with injuries to key players but these players are hopeful to return soon (exception being Jores) so we would hope that results will also improve. The wage bill is reduced already and come summer time it will be even better. This is what RL will be looking at. He's not interested in how badly we play and he's not personally affected by the boos from the fans. We can see by the style of play and the body language of the players that we are in big trouble but RL probably isn't watching. The worry is that RL is probably looking at where we are as 'on track' = good job Paul, carry on and it seems like you don't need any more money.

We can't really answer this question since we don't know what constraints PL has had placed on him. We consider that it was an option to spend the kitty on less, better players and implement the plan more slowly. How do we know he had this choice? He may have been briefed to alienate the bomb squad and not to play them in order to force them out, meaning that the kitty had to be spread thin over many players. If it worked it would be the quickest way to reduce costs. if this the case then all involved are incredibly naive to think this would work. Either way PL has either rolled this out completely wrong or has bought into something completely unachievable.

Agree. "Young and hungry" needs to be refined. You can't have this at the expense of fielding a substandard team. You can still buy quality at the right age where they can be sold at a profit before they get too old. Not for a couple of million or less though. If HH is correct that january activity will be limited to 1 loan signing then this needs to be reviewed also. Not good enough. Hopefully todays result will influence this. What I can't see a way out of is the dire, or lack of tactics. I refuse to accept that every outfield player is incapable of simple pass and move basics.

Wasn't he posting here before Lamberts appointment? edit: no, started posting a year ago.......

Hi HH Without giving too much away, is something close to being agreed and are you aware which position is most likely? It would be nice to see something happen sooner rather than later.

Palace fans love him and some were saying that they can't understand how they got him for less than £5M. He's in form (for him) and I can see him having a massive point to prove and he'll be well up for this.

I think we need some transparency regarding what the short and long term plans are. If costs are being cut as a short term measure and that means making do with low cost players until certain financial targets are met then fair enough, but there should be a contingency in place to allow for spending in January based on recent results, injuries and the risk of entering a relegation battle. But what about next summer? Will the budget be opened up to the extent that bigger transfer fees and wages are made available as long as the books remain balanced? If the long term plan is to continue with £3M players on £20K a week then the plan is also to become a Championship club.

I don't see any point in having a go at Bowery, he's just trying his best based on a few cameo appearances. It's another example of a youngster who's been thrown into something he's not ready for, especially when chasing a game. If Villa were 3-1 up when Bowery came on and had the same impact this discussion wouldn't be happening.