MrBlack

I'm sure his performances before his injury layoff were fine, except for the last few when he was playing with his injury. In fact, I'm sure just before he got the injury (but carried on playing) he was our second best rated player after Jack. If he has lost a yard of pace and a lot of stamina due to the injury then he loses a lot of what makes him the player we love. We can definitely make a case that he's not had chance to get back to full match fitness yet, so i am still giving him time.

I thought he was average tonight at best. Not one of his better games, must have been a fluke that post lockdown rise in form. Nothing to see here. That new cdm can't come soon enough. /s

I agree, and backed up by Chimp's stats you cant really argue against the fact he had a decent game. However, it was far from exceptional and left plenty of room for improvement. He had a couple of decent first touches, but then didn't produce anything at the end of it. Not the worst player on the pitch, but nothing to suggest he has completely turned the corner. I'd argue he keeps his spot for the next match, especially if Traore is still short on minutes, but glad to have competition for his position and hope Traore is good enough to make the position his.

I'm aware you don't rate Fred. I'd have him over Elmo. Cash is better than Elmo offensively based on tonight, and based on Elmos so so performance against Burton. If we want something different to come on at right back, such as to stop a team that may be exploiting that side, Elmo wont help in that scenario. And with Traore coming I dont see a need for Elmo on the bench for any reason.

Tbf trez made some great first touches off balls in the air. Almost creating something of them twice. Not a brilliamt game by any stretch, but he was actually half decent. Emi Martinez was probably man of the match, not just for the penalty save. Awesome all round performance.

It does say avfc goalkeeper tbf

Based on his total omission from the matchday squad I assume its correct. No reason unless he has an injury we weren't told about. Sad to lose him but at least Cash looked decent, although yet to see him pressured defensviely so cant really review that side of him after a match like tonight's. Feel he's been harshly treated if we're moving him on largely against his will, but sure he'll do just fine out of it financially and go on to achieve decent things in his career.

I was thinking keep Conor on for his set pieces, but McGinn just created that corner with a great ball. So much of a muchness for me. Another good ball to trez just then...

Get in Ezri

Need an offensive option off the bench... Traore where are you :(. AEG or Davis should be on soon...don't do what you did last year and leave it too late Dean...please. I know they're not great but there is little indication we're breaking them down as we are.

Trez with a decent bit of play there again, mixing in with his total inability to play football at other times. Really is an enigma

Cash looking very good... not sold on replacing Fred with him and having elmo as backup, but happy to eat my proverbial hat if he keeps up this level of performance.

This ref must want football to be played rather than prevented by fouls and cynical actions. Let's not give him any excuses to level the playing field. Let's also hope we can do something against 10 men for a change

Where is that message now? Can't see it on Instagram or twitter? Mad decision. Think he had potential to be brilliant. If the only reason he's on his way out is because they got Cash i do question why we thought that purchase was necessary over a centre back or a central midfielder (assuming we dont get them in later in the window). Its not like Cash was a once in a generation talent at a bargain price... Bizarre piece of business for me.

It begins... Leyton Orient confirm 'number of players' have coronavirus Only a matter of time before this happens to a PL club and a series of games gets postponed as a result. No way this season is ending the date it should without teams being forced to play three games in one week at some stage.

It was a joke, may not have come across. Not sure i can come to the same conclusion on Sama yet, lots of external factors involved that could explain why he looked a totally different player pre and post lockdown. However, the club know more behind the scenes and if it means they want rid, I'm not going to seriously question it.

Great news, another sign of intent and the harmony that exists in the club at the moment. If he continues to develop his decision making as i expect he will (when to hoof and when to pass), that will eliminate a lot of his mistakes and go on to be a world class defender.

It is clear to me, that the only reason he's not gone anywhere yet is that no one has met Celtic's valuation of him. When they drop their demands (or another club becomes desperate enough) he'll move on. If the former happens, and sits within our appetite and valuation of the player, I wouldnt be surprised to see us sign him. But don't feel he's a priority we need, and another winger, a CM, and a backup CB would all be above him for me

God help Rashica when he signs...

Is it confirmed that it is not on pick? I can't see any formal announcement from sky that it was ever going to be on pick, only from dubious news sites like the Birmingham mail so not sure if its needed, but still strange that they thought it would be. The TV schedule shows its not on pick but you never know...?

How did it size up?

To be fair, improving on last season's total by only 4 points, with the amount we've spent relative to the other lower half teams would not be a good return, regardless of whether you think we over or under achieved last season. Improving our total by 11 points would be a good return, and probably see us safe with a good few games to go, and a platform to push on from next season. Expecting significantly more than that is setting yourself up for a disappointing season (at this stage) Fine lines.

I can't help but think I fall in this category, but that opinion is based on having seen both him and Mings play equal amounts. I've no personal vendetta against Taylor, and if you watch some of the Villa TV clips you can see his is an exceptional character to have around the club. People like him and he's a source of comedy. But for me I question his ability and dont want him starting for us. I accept Mings is prone to mistakes, but hes a centre back where such mistakes will get punished and stand out more obviously. Those occasional mistakes aside he is a great all round defender and a defence based playmaker to boot. Taylor makes a mistake and it is rarely published so won't stick in the memory as much as Mings. And even if he doesn't make them very often on the defensive side, he makes them regularly when we're attacking.. multiple times a game. He severely limits our output on the wing where he plays. For me, he has to be a backup option or we're in trouble.

Same concerns I have, but I'm slightly further up the optimism scale as I do think we have a setup now that is in a much better shape to deal with these challenges. He's also played champions league football and for top teams across Europe so got to believe his natural ability is a step beyond what Green's was/is.

I hope this is the case, just going with the logic of how much we've spent and the expectations that come with it. I'll do my best to avoid criticising Dean unfairly, but a repeat of last season would rightly draw criticism and a risk of the sack. As long as we're moving in the right direction, I think he's safe. Also think he has enough good will to survive the first few rounds of doubt that come from the press, more so than any other manager would in the league... not sure it's a bottomless pit though. As you say though, let's not start this conversation, positivity is the way forward, and we're on the up! And if we do get stability it will do us the world of good.