Cizzler

I think Kane -> Man United makes too much sense this summer (providing United get Top 4). Kane wants to stay in the PL to get the all-time goals record and I think he's done at Spurs. I'd be surprised if Arsenal went in for him. He plays the same position as Jesus, would be an incredibly expensive acquisition for someone not guaranteed to improve their first XI.

I don't disagree with the need for a signing (or two) - but come on, he's miles ahead of K.Young and Patterson. They're both 17, without a first-team appearance. Ramsey has just had two very good loans in the Championship. Hopefully it will be be McGinn, the two Ramseys, Buendia + a couple of new faces competing for the advanced three midfielders positions.

Benteke got 19 and then missed last game of the season (vs. Wigan?) after getting suspended. Don’t remember anyone else doing it (definitely not since!). Think JPA did 20 in all comps on year though.

xA would weight the quality of the chance created, as not all chances are equal. He's put Watkins through (vs. Palace and vs. Bournemouth) for two easy one-on-ones, a clinical striker converts both of them.

I agree. Both of Southampton's good chances (the Armstrong save from Martinez & the JWP disallowed goal) came from his flank. The first started from his really heavy touch when he was trying to intercept, which he lost and then was massively out of position. The second one was from Walker-Peters beating him all ends up (even though Walker-Peters squares him up from a stationary start, he still dribbles around him). He's then five yards away from blocking the cross. I agree he needs time, definitely not writing him off and hopefully he'll improve as he adapts. It's still better than anything I ever saw from Augustinsson - but Digne is ahead of him for me.

Future at AVFC is looking tough for him. He's a year older than someone we've just bought for £18m and he's struggled at League 2 and the Scottish Championship now. I wish him all the best, was fantastic during that FA Youth Cup run. I wouldn't bet against him carving out a career in the football league, at all. Weimann had a great '21/'22 season in the Championship - and they're similar strikers, both industrious and can finish.

That is pretty much a second XI - and is still easily a mid-table team. Their team that is injured/suspended: Mendy Chillwell - Fofana - James Pulisic - RLC - Kante - Zakaria - Sterling Joao Felix - Broja (with Mudryk to come too)

Also lost possession the most on the pitch… (27 times). I’m surprised by how positive the comments are to be honest. Not writing him off at all - it’s a huge challenge to come off the bench and debut in the PL, obviously he only got here a few days ago. I thought first half he was really poor, gave the ball away a lot. Missed a completely rash challenge flying in. Played Rodrigo onside for the chance that was eventually cleared off the line (which was great tracking back by him, so fair play - maybe got a bit lucky with where the deflection went though, as it was off his trailing leg). He was slightly better second half. I remember a nice pass into the box he picked out. He seemed to think he had an extra second - but I guess that’s PL vs La Liga. I was surprised Leeds didn’t stick Gnonto on him 1:1. Hope the Digne injury isn’t too serious, and this guy can be given a fair period to adapt. However, he is 29, so hardly one for the future.

He reads the game excellently, he’s defensively very good. He wins the ball back a lot and is sound in the air. But then he’s also impossible to press. He can pass of both feet, he’s always composed and his feints always seem to leave an opposition player on the deck at least once a game. Best CM we’ve had at Villa Park for a long, long time. I think this season he’s been the best defensive mid in the league (close with Casemiro).

It might be a case of too little, too late for KKH. I think HTFC have signed Lowton on loan (yes, that Matt Lowton), if so he will be fighting for minutes and may well be sent back. Think he was only getting games again as their first-choice RB (Turton) got injured. However, by all accounts has had a couple of excellent games post-WC, so Huddersfield may keep him around after all.

He’s much better on the ball than Idrissa.

I slated him on here post-Liverpool - so only fair I recognise it was a great pass for the assist. Would still prefer Ramsey starting when he’s fit - but has a role as a squad player.

Unreal today. Is always good - but was the best player on the park.

Atrocious second half. Killed so many attacks. Has zero quality on the ball. Never want to see him start again.

Is that a torrid time? Looked like he was forced backwards at least 6 times and cleanly tackled 3 times. The last clip is the only time he actually beats Cucurella. Not knocking him as a prospect at all, he's 16 and up against a £60m defender - but a torrid time seems a bit hyperbolic.

It's not condescending. They were clear underdogs. They're starting people who play for Standard Liege, Besiktas and Angers (bottom of Ligue 1). They have Burnley and QPR players in their squad. They're a well-drilled team, who deserved to win. Hakimi is class, best RB at the World Cup - but apart from the few, half-decent players you mentioned (who wouldn't start for a Brazil, France or England, let's be honest) - they're miles off the typical "powerhouses" on paper. Love that they got through, breath of fresh air seeing a less-established team make a run and it's well-deserved. But if France/England lose to them, it would be a massive upset. It's not condescending to say that.

Christ that’s an understatement

McGinn? What the actual hell? First time pass to literally no one. He’s utterly dreadful

Watkins drifting around like an empty bag of crisps. How is their CB allowed to fall over in the box and then get up still under no pressure

He was fine/average. Nowhere near our worst performer (Watkins). He's better on the left of midfield, than on the right. I wish he'd stop shooting from distance though. He struck two today when the pass was a better option. He wouldn't have score either with 100 attempts.

I'd take Isak, Toney and Mitrovic quite clearly. Probably would take Scamacca too on this season's form. DCL / Bamford are better strikers, just never fit. I suppose Ollie has that going for him.

Can Keinan Davis actually be worse? Watkins has only gone backwards from his first season with us. Today was utterly appalling. A half-decent striker has a hat trick. His finishing is like Powerleague level and he thinks in slow motion. I was clawing my eyes out watching today.

I remember watching Eze absolutely boss our midfield in a QPR away game. Think it was one of Deano’s first games in charge. We spent a lot of money the transfer window Eze moved to Palace (and we signed Sanson in the January window that followed). I think it was a big miss. Guess management were happy with McGinn (as per).

The clown in charge of the first XI is rightly being called out - but what on Earth is Lange doing? Best he can come up with is panic deadline day signings of Bednarek and Dendoncker? They’re two bang average PL players that have been kicking around years. Where’s the scouting network? Where’s the ambition? Idiots working for this club at every level.

Gerard managing to lose 2-0 to a Bournemouth team that have lost their next three games on aggregate 16-0… The decision to appoint him over Potter was mind-numbing at the time. Purslow just wanted to rub shoulders with his hero.