Rousseau

A 10 and shadow (second) striker are different positions.

Well - we know what day it's not going to be announced.

10 - Maradona, Cruyff, Platini, Baggio, Riquelme, Ozil. (There's not many pure 10s left any more - simply because teams don't use them as much.) I'm not sure the old 3-2-5 formation played with a 10. Today the '2' would be two 6s; the '5' would be two wingers, two 8s (maybe two 10s, but they are more inverted wingers, like Salah and Mane, today), and a 9. Guardiola's Man City use the 3-2-5 in attack. With them it's the 8s that move forward into the forward line.

6 - DM. (Rodri, Makelele) 8 - box-to-box, a bit further forward than a #6. (Gerrard, Lampard, DeBruyne) 9 and 10 - You know what #9 and #10 are, surely? Some coaches actually go through the full 1-11.

He was playing further forward before that. Raskin was one of two #8s with Lundstram as the single #6, which was why he got forward more.

The missing piece of the puzzle that would take us to 55 under magic Warburton...

It's a strange sacking. Eustace saved them from relegation last season and this season they are in the play-off positions. And now they want Rooney? Why? Their statement says: 'It is essential that the Board of Directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire Football Club.' 'With this in mind, Birmingham City has today parted company with Head Coach, John Eustace.' Curious. This is like last year all over again: Seoane and Farke available — boom! Beale. Clement and Potter — boom! John f*cking Eustace. Hopefully I'm getting 5 from 2 + 2. Otherwise...

Was he not 15?

John Eustace sacked by Birmingham. Don't you dare, James!

What are your thoughts, folks?

I still retain the belief - hope - that they're not substandard, but merely under-utilised.

What's that?

My xG tracking, if anyone's interested. Blue is our xG created, Red is xG against (our opponent's xG). It's fine pre-split of last season, then it narrows during the post-split games. Then this season starts poorly (outwith Servette and Livingston, which was with a man advantage and a late flurry of goals), then it's choppy AF. Ideally you want a bigger gap, so you've got the best chance of winning consistently. We've been too reliant on sneaking past teams, relying on superior players.

Potter is my ideal appointment, but he's highly unlikely. I think he has even rejected an approach, if rumours are to be believed. I'd be happy with Clement. I think he's the standout of all the (realistic) options on the table.

James - I was joking! Phone Graham Potter! P-O-T-T-E-R.

No he's not.

A lot miss out by predicting a defeat. Correct Result (1 pt): Rousseau, Yorkie, Devil, BEAR, One, Dado, Moody, DJ, BSRT, Ted, Mal, Graeme, TB, CammyF, MacK, 26th and T-1000 Correct Number of Rangers Goals (1pt): One, Moody, Graeme and MacK FGS (2 pts): Rousseau and BD Correct Score (3 pts): - Latest Standings:

Give Davis the job full-time!

I hope we score again...

I did just mention my preference for Raskin as the #8, with a license to get forward. It won't come naturally, though, because our #8s have tended to sit back the last few years and the two #10s have taken that position; Fullbacks wide. (It's not wrong, it's just different.)

Christ - You must find the game really boring...

FFS, Rousseau, you donkey!

Yes, there were a few of us. We [un]happy few, we band of brothers [and sisters]...