Gribz

Moyes has West Ham flying at the moment. Soucek has been an absolute steal and young Bowen and Benrahma from Norwich and Brentford respectively have taken the league like ducks to water. Im not sure why Moyes is in for Lingard, he would need to get his form back from 3-4 years ago before getting in the XI. 1 key reason why West Ham are playing better is dropping Noble to the bench - he has been massive for the club but his style on the ball was slowing things down and keeping a No.10 out the team. I had 1-2 win on predictions but 2-3 will do yet it should have been about 1-6. Antonio could have had 4. More problems for Newcastle and Steve Bruce, that is a club on the ice slide and depending on Fulhams results will see Newcastle right in the relegation fight. Good win for Arsenal. Southampton started better and barring a few misplaced passes in the final third early on could have been well in front. But Saka is some talent and then ran the show.

No wonder the previous president said it would have been good business to sanction the 500-600m sale of Messi!

Thats exactly what I said - Wouldnt scare me at all. Yet the reaction seems to be its a non-starter. The bookies have him in as third favourite after Rafa and Howe. TBH It might be unlikely but I dont think its unrealistic as Frank will have to drop down a level to gain more experience plus he will have looked at what Gerrard is doing. And the possibility of Champions League if second place in the league qualifies (Im not sure if thats confirmed with the co-efficient) I never mentioned Gilmour going to Celtic - that was ASIL.

I agree. Even though they had a long unbeaten period it didnt seem convincing. He was getting the formation very wrong. They should have been going 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 or even playing with a back 3. But the 4-3-3 just wasnt suited to these players at all. He could have turned Werner into the new Torres. Id have had Giroud as my first choice No.9 at the moment and Kante alone in the 'Makeleke role' that he has taken over. Too much has went onto the likes of Mount who has talent but still not the real deal. He definitely needed another year at Derby yet I can understand why he took the job - but in this case he needed an experienced coach along side him especially on the touchline - perhaps Zola (albeit not been the best manager) would have been a good shout.

We started discussing it in the Premier League thread in Football Chat ? Lampard at Celtic wouldnt be a nightmare for me at all. Gerrard was twice the player and proving to be twice the manager.

Yup - it shows you the difference between Roman's decision making and the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd who have stuck by Arteta and OGS (paying off at the moment but for how long). But it seems Lampards poor form has triggered Roman to upgrade to Tuchel which is shrewd. I think Howe at Newcastle would be a good fit as he is mostly a coach and will get onto the training ground and improve the current squad.

I was going to post earlier I see Tuchel or Allergi at Chelsea sooner rather than later. I think its the right call for once by Roman - Lampard wasnt ready for that job. I can see Tuchel getting much more out of Werner and Havertz. Also calls on Talksport for Eddie Howe to replace Bruce at Newcastle.

Some good midweek games: Crystal Palace 1-2 West Ham Newcastle 1-1 Leeds Southampton 1-1 Arsenal West Brom 0-2 Man City Burnley 1-0 Aston Villa Chelsea 2-2 Wolves Brighton 1-0 Fulham Everton 0-1 Leicester Man Utd 3-0 Sheff Utd Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

True - it wont happen under Ashley but it was mentioned Rafa has unfinished business there. If a takeover went through and he was given a tidy transfer fund then Newcastle would be comfortable top 8 and I think would eventually win a cup. I really rate Benitez and was screaming for West Ham to go for him before Moyes. There is some good names available on free's right now - Benitez, Allegri and Tuchel.

Hibs 1-2 Rangers FGS Morelos

I decided to go to bed and not bother watching it thinking it would be another borefest. Thats a cracking win for Utd, I thought Liverpool would recover and go there and win.

He's a likeable guy, I always enjoy listening to him but I cant say he is any good now. He has had too many clubs now and is mid level Premier at very best. You have a point about his players thought, Newcastle have been mediocre under many managers now.

That was easy ? Puts more pressure on Steve Bruce. At any other club / chairman he would probably have gone. But with Rafa available again you never know if a return would be on the cards.

The clock just couldnt tick quick enough for Cheltenham. If Foden can perform like that in the top flight then he will go on to be a top world class player. The way he glides past players is a bit like Kinkladze in the 95-96 season. Arsenal another step back. A very bizarre selection by Arteta, Arsenal are the FA cup specialists and should be defending it. They are sitting mid table and are very unlikely to get top 4 so this should have been a priority. But Id like to see Southampton go on and win the cup if West Ham dont (WHU away to the winners of Man Utd / Liverpool).

Cruise control in that game. The early goal did wonders. This shows the difference between teams who dont sit in with a 5-5-0. Honest assessment from Yogi Hughes saying we are the measuring stick. Fair play to SG for sticking with Kent who repays with a MOTM performance.

Quite comfortable at the moment for Southampton. Arsenal dont look like they will score at all. Willian - poor again. How can a player go from being near world class to awful in such a short period of time. And Pepe for 72m!

John Hughes has got Ross County going for a few games but how long does it take before the new manager novelty wears off. Every game is starting to get nervy until we score so an early goal this afternoon will settle the nerves. No games are gimmies but surely this has to be one banker on a tricky January with 3 tough away games on paper. Id probably start Defoe today but as Frankie mentioned Itten starting might be on the cards.

Rangers 3-0 Ross County Tav FGS

Im taking Villa all day long here. They are playing well and Newcastle are being dragged into the relegation battle. Villa 2-0 Newcastle.

At least we only have to wait until Tuesday to get the league action back. Three stand out ties Southampton to beat Arsenal. Liverpool to win at Old Trafford. Everton to beat Sheff Wed in the old big one back in the day.

Yup, he probably should have stayed at Derby another year or moved to a mid table Premier club. I dont think it can be underestimated how Gerrard has got his back room team spot on and Frank could really be done with the late great Ray Wilkins. It may actually harm him long term and he will end up back down in the Championship - thats unless he turns it round. For me he is making a huge mistake playing 4-3-3. They are screaming out for 4-5-1 (dont like to use the example) but 4-2-3-1 / 4-1-4-1 is exactly what they need. No way can Werner, Havertz and Ziyech not click.

Frank under pressure at Chelsea. I would say he took this job too early in his career and not having an experienced No.2 has hampered him.

Dont say that - they will be after Stevie G. Its a good point though - when things dont go his way he does throw the toys out but when winning he is all crocodile smiles. Id have loved to have seen Sir Alex up against him. Something doesnt seem right - ever since Van Dijk went out the team. Salah and Mane seem a shadow of the players they were. They obviously want to go to La Liga.

Didnt realise there was games tonight. West Ham 3-0 West Brom (a re-run of the first West Ham game I ever went to in 1989 and WBA won 3-2 at upton park). Leicester 2-1 Chelsea Man City 4-0 Aston Villa Fulham 0-2 Man Utd Liverpool 3-0 Burnley

Depends what formation you go with. Hagi has to be considered as a tip of a diamond and isnt going anywhere. He should actually be playing a larger part. It will take a massive bid to lure Kamara but Id expect him to be around for seasons to come. Depends what you are looking for in a midfielder i.e the McCall type who bites ankles or an attacking midfielder with creativity. Im not a fan of this 4-(2-3)-1 formations, there is 3 areas in the outfield - defence, midfield (include wingers), strikers. But good discussion though.