Ironsid

Tell him to run directly at the box and hope somebody legs him over for a penalty. At the pace he moves he'd only need a nudge.

Sorry. Senior moment.

Is there a time limit on this option for Barca to buy him back?

You can't score direct from a throwin. How would they have restarted from that?

Garde needs to keep it simple for him. Give him the role of sitting in front of the back four, winning the ball and hitting passes to players moving into space for him. Forget these 20 yard passes that drift out of play or get cut off. Forget pushing too far forward and leaving the defence exposed. As others have said, it may be a job for two players but he should always be the least advanced of them.

I'm with Neil on this one. I want to see some intensity and running with purpose, not the aimless, panicky crap we saw against Spurs. If there's the remotest sign of organisation in the setup then that'll be a big improvement on the last 10 or so games. 

Waiting to see his first team selection. I suppose it will take him a few sessions to work out who he can rely on. I read somewhere that he favours a midfield diamond and a pressing game. Let's see if his selection reflects that.

I'll be glad to see the football back after the break. I don't see why they needed two friendlies anyway. I did enjoy the rugby though. Nice to see blokes taking a battering, getting up and playing on unlike some of the big Jessies of the Prem who roll about because someone's chipped their nail varnish.

I hope Lambert sticks with Lowton for this one. Bacuna may prefer playing at right back but he gives us something going forward. I'd like to see what sort of a right sided partnership he could form with Lowton.

Bloody Sky! Second match this season I've had to miss because of a long standing previous arrangement. Starts to reduce the value of buying a season ticket. No takers on Ticket Exchange yet either so that's likely to be me out of pocket.

I'd like to see some width in attack. Kozak isn't going run onto too many through balls; he isn't quick enough. He needs good crosses to give him chances. It would increase Benteke's opportunities as well when he comes back. A genuinely creative midfielder who can score the odd goal wouldn't hurt either.

Ian "Sticks" Ormondroyd. Symbol of the kick off where we tapped the ball forward on the whistle then belted the ball up the left wing on to his head. Time after time after time.

I think their mummies and daddies should take the computers off them and send them to their rooms.

Agree. Midfield didn't look up to speed to me. Some nice neat passes but very little penetration. Not much of a screen in front of the back four either. I'd rather see Sylla in than K.E.A.

Scored a bloody good goal. From a corner!!!!!!

Bit of boring trivia but I read that " soccer" is a diminutive of association. Thus, Association Football got shortened to soccer.

Yes. I should have said "allegedly". I still like the story though.

The false or deep lying number 9 goes back further than Barcelona. In the Fifties Hungary were playing that system when they murdered England at Wembley. Nandor Hidegcuti was their deep lying number 9 and England didn't have a clue how to deal with it. Manchester City borrowed the idea and used Don Revie in the role to win the F.A.Cup.

My favourite quote from the Hungary era was when the teams came out at Wembley and one of the England players said,

"Look at that little fat bloke. We'll murder this lot. "

The "little fat bloke" was Ferenc Puskas. Result 6-3 to Hungary.

I think we still need someone to organise the defence. Wycombe's second goal reminded me of the chaos we saw in our back four last season. I know Okore wasn't playing and he looks like a monster but will he improve the organisation?

Just read that Spurs forum. What a laugh! I loved the comments by pablo73 then looked at his picture of the characters from League of Gentlemen. Sums it up. The new greeting from Spurs fans to each other, "Give me six!"

My money's on a face saving deal with an undisclosed fee.

If Spurs don't think he is worth 25m, fine, don't buy him. Go and look for better value elsewhere.

Who's the bloke who put him in the mask? He'll do for me.

I don't think we'll need to wait long for someone to come in with a bid. It's like that scene in The Godfather.

"The one who comes to you with the offer is the traitor."

In our case the one who comes in with the offer is the tapster. Someone's been working on him and told him to put a request in.

Totally agree. If Spurs are willing to let a player go he's on the shelf. Another Hutton anyone?

If Spurs plan is to wait until the last minute in the hopes we'll panic and sell at a reduced fee it could be a big miscalculation. We're in a strong position. We could operate a Dutch auction and jack the price up at the last minute. If they're that determined/desperate they'd have to pay up or forget it. I'm assuming of course that we would have the balls to stand up to them. If we haven't got the spine for it then we just fold and let them dictate how much they will pay for a player we have on a three year contract. Surely not.