cyrusr

Fell behind Danny Simpson at Leicester; still managed to get in 12 league games (plus 3 cup games) for Leicester last season before his loan. Then got 10 games for Middlesbrough 2nd half of the season and got promoted with them also. I might go out on the limb here, but his pedigree last season is somewhat better than our current choices. Also, he could have just sat on his arse and continued playing a bit part for Leicester and still be a league winner, but actively moved to get more 1st team football and willing to move down a league for it. That to me sounds like he has the right character.

If Baker is fit I wonder if RDM will go with one of these formations. 4-4-1-1: Gollini Chester - Elphick - Baker - Amavi Bacuna - Tshibola - Westwood - Ayew McCormack Gestede Or 5-3-2: Gollini Chester - Elphick - Baker Bacuna - Amavi Tshibola - Westwood - Gardner Ayew - McCormack If not I imagine Hutton will fit in at right back in the 4-4-1-1 formation. Does show how weak our midfield is though... I imagine Rotherham to sit back so really could do with lots of pressure and keeping the action at their end. Gestede therefore won't really need to move so might do ok.... Really hope Richards is nowhere near the team. After last season and Luton he just needs to go. Whilst Hutton maybe a liability, at least he bloody tries.

I had forgotten about that... He needs to go now. The thing is, I get the impression he believes he tries and is good at what he does. It seems he has absolutely no insight into how bad a footballer he has become.

AS St-Etienne interested according to Birmingham Mail. They are running quotes that the manager has spoken to him link: Direct quotes from Manager seems to suggest pretty far forward.

Depends on where/when listening to music. The vast, vast majority of music is on CDs and still buy the majority of new music on CDs. CD player in my car so can play them there. Download them onto my computer and put onto my phone so can listen whilst at work or travelling around on trains. The most adaptable format of music and gives me the most enjoyment overall. Vinyls are fun and cool in that it forces you to sit and listen to the music; however because of the need to actually work I find a severe lack of time. That's why I tend to only buy special albums on Vinyls, so ones that I absolutely love (e.g. Mastodon's "Leviathan"; Metallica's "Master of Puppets") or coming in a sexy package or printing (e.g. Boris's re-release of "Pink" with new versions of songs and an additional vinyl of extra tracks; Iron Maiden's "Empire of the Clouds") will get bought. Not fussed for it though as the main staple, far too expensive. However for special occasions

What about 4-4-2: Gollini De Laet - Elphwick - Chester - Amavi Bacuna - Tshibiola - Jedinak - Grealish Ayew - McCormack Bacuna appears to have won RDM over but that looks a lot better 1st team than before. Also could play as a 4-3-3: Gollini De Laet - Elphwick - Chester - Amavi Bacuna - Tshibiola - Jedinak Ayew - McCormack - Grealish Or a 4-2-3-1: Gollini De Laet - Elphwick - Chester - Amavi Tshibiola - Jedinak Bacuna - Ayew - Grealish McCormack Versatility

Agree but it still needs installation in the players and that's where the character comes from. From what we have seen very little players from last season currently have it, and it looks like it is going to take a while to build back up. If defensively we had: Gollini New RB - Elphick - Baker - Amavi New DM This would be a defensive unit more or less unaffected by last season; all "new" to the team. Can instill the organisation in them but it will be a lot quicker and easier with the new players rather than the old ones. didnt like the subs, but a) he's learning the squad and b ) from Tony's tweet and RDM pre match saying "places on Saturday" he was really saying "places in the squad". The only real sense in today was testing the resolve of some players and whether then can hack it. The majority failed and will hopefully been moved on. We can't forget that we have had the "pleasure" of this for over a year. Whilst it might be obvious on videos etc. there's nothing quite like seeing it up close and testing it in a competitive match.

Agree mostly, but probably would put Okore, Gardner (just), Veretout and Gestede in squad also. Okore looked better in first half, and was covering Richards as well. When he was partnered with Baker it looked better. Baker definitely looks more solid right now and deserves to be partnering Elphick; but would rule Okore out of being in the squad. Would prefer Cissohko out but given Bennett going we do need cover. Would say 2 (1 defensive, 1 attacking/creative) midfielders, a target/poacher up top and a right back are essential. Was beginning to think Richards night be OK as back up until tonight but now think this is needed. I don't think this result would have changed players minds, but they might ask for a few more grand to their wage packet... Given that comment from Xia, does begin to make me think this was for them to play for the shirt.I think we are going to see A LOT of movement over the next few weeks.

Has to have been a last chance saloon for him. RDM not only gave him the opportunity of starting; he made him captain. THEN allowed him to play in his "preferred" position. Awful defending; was always out of the defence line. Played on the Luton player for the 1st goal (to be fair Amavi could have done more). As a leader? Inept is an understatement. No talking I saw, no rallying. Complete opposite to Elphick on Sunday. Utterly useless. Should be nowhere near the first team. Hutton is not great and should be replaced also but I would rather him at right back rather than Richards. Whilst it is only 1 game this season, it is a complete repetition of what happened last season. Even with a new manager, proper pre season, better coaching, "easier" opposition he still is woefully poor. The epitamy of what went wrong last season. Don't wish a career ending injury but hopefully Hull will panic regarding lack of players and sign him up. He needs to go. Now.

Wow. That was poor. First half was OK to be fair, certainly first 20 minutes or so. Why why why was Richards put to CB? Awful there last season and was the weak link in the defence in first half being out of position all the time! Midfield were absent again. RDM - not good from you either. Disappointed. Not the end of the world, but hopefully a wake up call. Tony, get your cheque book out, you are going to need it!

Substitutions Sherwood would be proud of...

Positive for first 20/25 minutes then we have let them into the game. Richards is such a liability, we need a new right back. He can't even defend at this level. Not being impressed so far by Gardner and Tshibola but time to make an impression. Still need a new midfielder. Ayew needs to calm the f*** down! Not to panic quite yet. RDM needs to get their heads back on straight; but clearly showing we still need players.

Would prefer him to Cissohko as back up to Amavi but if he wants first team football then can understand. Also as we have already played them this season, there's only 1 game he can f*** us over in!!!

Arrivederci Carlos. Not the worst but pleased he has gone. It has lightened up the squad and he is definitely not one for the future. However hope he does well for Fiorentina. So as it appears to be a loan this won't go to other football right?

To Hutton's defence, still better positioning than Richards who's marking the opposition goalkeeper...

If you look at his Twitter profile, all he is doing is retweeting villa fans comments about how they love him and loads of Villa stuff. Yeah I think he is staying

Needs replacing long term, but I think there are other priorities beforehand. Get the Central Midfield sorted then look at RB. Wasn't as bad as he has been (didn't even get a yellow card!) and certainly better than Richards or Bacuna there, but we can do better. Whether that is this window or next, I imagine it is something that will happen sooner rather than later.

So season commencing today and already a lot more positivity! So far then we've had: 4 Ins - Gollini, Elphick, Tshibola, McCormack 8 Outs - Richardson, N'Zogbia, Crespo, Clark, Gana, Gil (loan), Guzan, Sinclair. Plus 3 more bids (Jedinak, Morrison, Wells?) and Lescott being told to f*** off (even if Leeds don't want him), squad is already looking a lot better. If we could get rid of Richards and Gabby would be excellent. The we have 7 or 8 players in (according to the good Doctor), meaning a total of 11/12 in?! Whilst maybe some concerns that the squad doesn't know each other and a lot of upheaval like last season, there are 2 key differences: 1. Better management; and 2. Better attitude. What is clear that each of the signings come across as professionals, wanting to play better football and want to play for the shirt. If the other signings are of similar mentality then I think we are well into having an excellent team, one that should be challenging at the upper echelons of the league! Now watch us lose to Wednesday...

Thinking he will go 4-2-3-1 Gollini Hutton - Elphick - Baker - Amavi (if fit) / Cissokho Gardner - Tshibola Bacuna - Ayew - Grealish Gestede Subs: Steed, Okore, Amavi/Cissokho, Westwood, McCormack, Green, Veretout Won't start McCormack, more or less said that in press conference. Bacuna he seems to be keen on. Might play Westwood instead of Gardner. Anyway 1-2. Bannan scores first for Wednesday (of course); then Bacuna equalises followed by a late goal by McCormack! Finally the season started and I cannot wait!!!

They have just signed Flanagan on loan for the season, along with Lowton I imagine they are set for the season. I did see a report though that Liverpool on have Clyne as RB. Go on Klopp, you know Richards is amazing. He has champions league experience too...

BBC reporting medical too! Link Whilst RDM may have seen something in him, will be really pleased if this goes through!

Just to add more random speculation Ravel Morrison is following our very own Italian goalkeeper Eggollini on Twitter:

BBC also confirming Clicky: Much more likely to get minutes which will be good for us and him.

Feels like the signing we needed to make. Gets goals at this level and by the looks of it creates them too. Finally some real cutting edge in the final third (hopefully!).

Hatched 2 10k eggs today (my first ones). Got an Omanyte and Electabuzz; got neither before so very pleased! Was struggling with new ones but finally evolved my eevee to a flareon. Other than that still just keep getting the same pokemon. Damn bloody drowzees!!!