rubberman

Superb performance all round. Got a little nervous when ollie pulled the first chance, but once we went ahead it was smooth sailing apart from about 10 mins. 

What a position to be in. What a manager we have. Happy, happy days. 

Going to be tight I feel and we'll need to be patient. If we can grab an early goal it'll settle nerves, but I can see it being frustrating for a while. A win pre-break would be very nice indeed. 

If Southgate doesn't pick Konsa and Watkins after this performance then I don't know what else to say. 

Sat in  the sun in a beach bar in Croatia watching this. Couldn't be happier. Well played everyone. Superb performance. 

For all the worries about the highline, we've conceded the 6th fewest shots on target per game so far this season, despite the Liverpool and Newcastle games.  And tbh I think this is the same as when we first started playing it - it looked a bit shaky and took a fair few games for the defence (superbly marshalled by Mings) to stop being terrifying to watch. The new backline will get it under Unai as they get to know each other's games better and we'll look more solid as a result.

8 minutes ago, Mozzavfc said:

Does anyone know if you can listen to commentary on the radio anywhere?

I've just been looking. Nowhere obvious that I can find (in this here London). Back to ceefax for me.

Strong start to the group needed, get away points in the bank. Can take it a bit more easy later on hopefully. Can't see more than a couple of changes - will be interesting to see if Unai fancies Olsen for this, and Tilemens should get a start. Be good if Moreno can get a few minutes to start getting up to speed without too much pressure.

An excellent window. Obviously the losses of Buendia and Mings haven't helped, but we've got depth in to cover for Mings and once JJ is back, we have plenty of different options up front to mix things up now. With a glass half full, let's assume Olsen continues to improve with some match practice and Bailey starts to fulfill his potential. Konsa already looking at home in the RB hybrid position. I think we're pretty well set + the bonus of a couple of youngsters to come through and get gametime in the easier draws.

I expect we'll see Olsen behind a pretty strong back 4 - Unai will want to keep fine-tuning them and getting more match practice together. Likely a couple more changes in the front 6 - Tielemans in with maybe Traore and Duran. Hopefully a run out for a couple of youngsters later on. It'll be stronger than most expect though I reckon.

I tell you one thing - I can't wait for the window to slam shut so I never have to read the words 'here we go' ever a-f'ing-gain from fabrizio or his gormless wannabes. 

We've found 7 goals in the last 2 PL matches without Watkins scoring. We have multiple different scoring outlets now. Obviously if he was injured it would be a big loss - he's an important first team starter - but we could set up to mitigate that even without any more forwards in.

28 minutes ago, Jareth said:

Are we? We’ve got more points than them in 2023 I think I saw somewhere. Also if Archer is best part of 20 mill - what’s ESR?

Yep, level with Utd and only behind City.

I would love one more in, but we've shown we are in a really strong place already and with significant more depth to come back from injury over the next few weeks.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/jahrestabelle/wettbewerb/GB1

Hmmm. Emi doubtful...cue meltdown when Olsen is in the team announcement.

They beat Man U 3-0 in a closed door game this week as well. Not going to be easy.

2 hours ago, The_Steve said:

I think some of these big signings will leave in a year or two. They might sign some big names, but can they keep them? 
 

Horrible move either way, I always assumed the clause was meant for Champions League clubs, hence why we wouldn’t be bidding etc. 

They're going to be hard to move on after the $$$$$$$ salaries, private 747s and fleets of supercars.

For all the lack of quality in Everton and Hibs, a lot of the space Digne has been getting is also down to Diaby/Bailey worrying teams and defenders having to track them, leaving Digne with the freedom to cross. Will be a problem for a lot of sides. 

35 minutes ago, VILLAMARV said:

Hibs XI: Marshall, Miller, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson, Obita, Newell, Campbell, Boyle, Youan, Vente

Subs: Boruc, Doyle-Hayes, Jeggo, Le Fondre, Doidge, Harbottle, Delferriere, Rocky, Molotnikov, McAllister, Megwa, MacIntyre

Jeggo, Rocky and Megwa - sounds like they've brought in the madlads from the pub for the bench.

Davis and JPB for £5m? Seems way too cheap. 

Just now, Wainy316 said:

Pre season suggested that Unai was really keen on this guy, so a bit surprised with this one.

Sounds like it's JPB (or his agent) pushing for it for more guaranteed playing time rather than Unai trying to ship him out. With a low buyback it's not necessarily the worst plan for all parties.

10 hours ago, rjw63 said:

Only two matches today and we are still on last.

BBC sploogetubes.

We were on first last week! I think I'll take later in the show and handing out the thrashing rather than the other way round.

Grim reading...

Still think we should have enough and the first home game needs to be huge.

7 minutes ago, Sam-AVFC said:

That's addressed in the body of the tweet.

Personally, I don't think it's really a loophole. I'd have no issue with a club signing up loads of players to 10 year contracts to reduce amortisation as they would be taking a hell of a risk to do so.

Except that they can offload them to PIF for no loss, negating any risk. 

29 minutes ago, jacketspuds said:

Watkins, but we need a player that at least plays the same way.

Equally, there is an argument that if we are bringing in another CF it would be better to have someone who offers something different from Ollie so we can change things up when it's not working with/for him.

6 minutes ago, pintpotvilla said:

What will happen is We'll be absolutely fine We have a strong squad built to withstand exactly the sort of misfortune that has occured. It's sad for the two players but we will get over it

Obviously judging by some of the over reaction from some fans they think our season has just disintegrated. Well it hasn't and we are still Top 6 contenders Just calm down everyone

Yes. We looked a bit rattled in the match by the Mings injury coming so soon on the back of the Emi2 news and it'll certainly mean we'll now take a little longer to get fully firing but under Unai there is no better manager to adjust tactics and plans. We still have a few weeks to go for recruitment of new bodies - and I'm certain we will be active. 

There are a lot of really rubbish teams in the league - we are still going to be competing for the same European places come the sharp end of the season IMO. The only way is up from 20th, right. Right?

4 minutes ago, the_eristic said:

his knee as he did his ACL a few years back

Maybe time to rebrand to ACL Villa.

Shame his first name isn't Rick.