dont_do_it_doug.

At least we know there's nothing wrong with his eyesight. She's a geezer surely?

Not that I want to join the procession of people laying into Wesley, because I thought he had some untapped potential pre-injury, but this is a maniacal take. Ollie Watkins is better at pretty much every single facet of the game. Please explain to me how you think Wesley would be an improvement over Watkins in this system?

It’s a volume thing though isn’t it. If a striker finishes 12 chances in a row, then misses a one on one, does that make him bad at finishing?

I agree that it’s a bit of a lazy statement. Gerrard is heavily involved in the training sessions and I think the fact that Critchley is a continuity choice in terms of coaching style to Beale proves to me that Gerrard has a clear identity in how he wants us to play. Unless people think he’s not making that decision at all, which sounds like a pretty wild conspiracy theory. A lot is being made of a couple of statements, one made by the manager years ago when he had far less experience, and that Emi Martinez quote. That’s basically it, we’ve invented an entire coaching structure around it.

Probably the best player to play for the club in 30 odd years. I think this context is important when I say I wouldn't be overly disappointed with 55 points next season. I wouldn't be elated either, and I think it would leave the manager on thin ice to be honest.

I said when we bought him in that he had a lot to prove, but on paper it seemed like an interesting and somewhat calculated gamble. Nothing that has happened so far has changed my mind on that. At times I have been left severely underwhelmed, but he has also shown a propensity to be able to manage to a sufficient level to stick in the Premier League. I think he has the right idea, even if the implementation hasn't been up to snuff far too often. Whether he's good enough for Aston Villa time will tell, so far I think on balance it probably hasn't been good enough, but with a full pre-season behind them and now some fresh eyes and ideas in terms of his new assistant coach, I'm hopeful that we will get more of the good stuff than the shite moving forward. I also think without a shadow of a doubt there is something in his constant warnings that the squad as a whole lack a necessary killer instinct. There's a soft underbelly to us that needs to be toughened up with a few punches to the gut or we are going nowhere, no matter who the manager. Also, I think there's no doubting his draw. He's box office. There aren't many manager we could have realistically appointed who would have allowed us to sign the players we have. So even if it doesn't work out for Gerrard long term, he'll be leaving an embarrassment of riches behind for the next guy.

True, but worth remembering we've finished 17th, 11th* and 14th so far under this 'well oiled machine'. The true measure of being ran well is success on the pitch, and given the level of investment we haven't seen that at all.

Because if there's nothing to moan about, make something up.

Source?

He seems fine as a backup. Was obviously rusty vs City, but settled in and commanded his area particularly well. Our goalkeeping coach is much vaunted by our fans and presumably he sees something he can work with in him, so why wouldn't we trust Cutler's opinion? If Martinez went down long term you'd want to find somebody better, but it's such a fine line to walk.

I take you point but I do think that’s a *little* harsh on Watkins.

I think as much as anything I want him because he's different to what we have, rather than him slotting in as a direct replacement for anybody in particular. I think we can all agree he'd be a massive upgrade on Traore. If I'm honest I find the link ludicrous. But then, Coutinho etc etc.

We play 2 up top an awful lot, he can slot right in as the support striker or the target man. Or the wider player in a 3. Or as a different kind of 10 to either Coutinho or Buendia. Geezer is 25 and has 34 caps for Brazil with 13 goals. We'd work it out I reckon.

Agreed. If Gerrard isn't able to cope with a coach leaving from time to time whilst keeping the wagon rolling, no matter how integral they may seem, then we should probably bin him off too. I'm hopeful that isn't the case. It's not like we have been pulling up tress under the current setup anyway, so maybe a change will do us good.

To be fair the post I was responding to was talking specifically about the timing.

I hear Mane has made himself available

Imagine our attacking options next season being Coutinho, Buendia, Watkins, Ings and Richarlison and going nah, not sure about that. Would never be me.

Problem is depending on position, and he can fill a few of them, you're going to find it hard pushed to find better than Buendia or Coutinho. I'd take him over Ings, no question, probably Watkins too. If we're going with 3/4 attackers every week in some kind of fashion, we're going to need numbers.

As a club we've got to move beyond this mindset of having a first XI and not thinking much beyond it. Richarlison doesn't necessarily 'replace' anyone, he's a different kind of player to anyone we currently possess. For what it's worth, he's also younger than Watkins, there's still room for him to grow and become an even better, more consistent, performer. He's still untapped to a degree. I'm biased because I love (to hate) him already, but I honestly think we'd be much better off with more Richarlison's in the squad. He's rabid.

People love nothing more than talking for other people these days, and especially yet love being offended on their behalf. However the reality is individuals are complex, and I think most sane people, of all colours, understand the difference between being a racist and saying something unacceptable in the heat of the moment. I also know that Tyrone Mings credited John Terry with turning him into an international class centre half, so that’s probably your answer on where Mings stands on forgiveness.

Surely it's better he leaves now, when we've time to hire a new coach before pre-season than either well into pre-season, halfway through a season, or after a couple of seasons when it's more difficult to unpick the threads that have been sewn? It'll be almost as if he were never here at all.

If you're expressing superiority to somebody based on a characteristic beyond their control, there's no moral difference to me if it's because they're white, black, female or bald. Not that it matters, Suarez has played in plenty of dressing rooms then and since and we've never heard a peep of trouble from within them. If it makes somebody uncomfortable personally, fair enough.

Actually, surely there is no better time?

Oh no. How on earth will we cope without him guiding us the giddy heights of [checks notes] 14th.

Yes.