Rousseau

The irony is he'd probably suit PC's inside forward role. I really would like to see him play more.

That's more a 4-4-1-1 than a 4-5-1, but it's essentially a 4-2-3-1, which is what we play: two sitting DMs, with a No.10 and two wingers. However, as Gaffer said, our pre-occupation with formations is irrelevant: it's how they execute it that counts, and we've not been doing it.

I think that's wrong about Fleck: I thought he was doing well at Utd, captaining on occasion (I had thought he was captain, but I can't find anything) and winning player of the year? I think he's doing well, but your point does stand that these guys generally fade away after leaving.

I was thinking that when I wrote it. I like the double pivot, but I think one needs license to push forward and make late runs; Holt can do that, but Jack and Rossiter are not that type of player. In future it could be Dorrans or Pena - who I think both play deeper, but are attacking players?

That comparison is certainly a downgrade, but I think Jack, Alves, Cardoso, Candeias, Pena (Dorrans?), and Herera are better than Halliday, Kiernan, MOH, Holt and Garner/Waghorn. Whether that means we'll achieve what needs to be achieved, I don't know. I merely stated that I believe the players we've signed are an upgrade.

#Wibble

I think those wide forwards are supposed to play inside, in the half-space, with Full-backs providing the width. It's a good idea -- many sides do it -- but I agree Miller is not the answer. There is a system, it's just not bloody working! It's middle to front where we're struggling; we're not clicking. For all his passing ability, I don't think Kranjcar is mobile enough to be our No.10, so I'd like to see him deeper - at least in games where we'll dominate, and dropped for those we'll not.

To be honest, I don't think our performance last night will have a big bearing on how we'll do in the league; it's a completely different situation. It's set PC back, though, and he now doesn't have the leeway. A couple of poor results at the start of the season and I will lose patience. I refuse to call them a pub side because that's disrespectful, but they are as close as you can get in professional football. Even on a poor day, we should be beating that team.

Just my own observations of how we play, and his training methodology. Some good ideas with good potential, but we've not seen it enough; it's only been in 5 minute spells here and there. Not good enough.

Not a huge upgrade I'll admit, but I still think he's an upgrade; and the squad itself I think is better, but we'll need to wait and see if it's good enough -- it's certainly not started well. I don't think we're playing anywhere near how MW had us playing. I think we are getting the ball into the box more, but, for me, the quality is not there; I did expect better quality in the cross, as that's how PC wants to play, but I've not seen it.

I still think he's a good coach, with good ideas that can work for us, but he really needs to get results now. We'll need to line up a few friendlies.

No, he shouldn't be sacked. He's an upgrade on MW, and has upgraded the side. Whether that's enough to achieve what we want? I'm less sure than what I was. Of course we're always looking to win the league, but I really don't think that's an appropriate target this season. I want 2nd. Comfortably. I still think we've got the manger and team to do that.

Same old problem: we can't create chances, and then when we do we can't take them; and then we concede stupid, sloppy goals. I thought we were quite comfortable; we weren't in any danger, despite our lethargic performance. We even hit the bar three times. There were moments in both games where we played some nice stuff, but it's nowhere near consistent enough. I believe that's how the manager wants us to play, but he's not getting them to do it consistently. Everyone has to take the blame for this result. They had never scored more than one goal in a European game. Embarrassing result. Even playing poorly, we should be beating this team.

Foderingham 5 Tavernier 4 Bates 4 Cardoso 4 Wallace 4 Jack 5 Rossiter 5 Kranjcar 5 Candeias 4 Miller 5 Morelos 5 Subs : Dalcio 4 Windass 4 Herrera 5

Ideally, yes. However, I think we'll be stronger defensively, overall, having signed improvements at CB. I'd prefer to see us spend the money we have left on the attacking third.

Was he not also the one who changed the Liverpool kit to all red, for the impact it would have on the opposition? Never underestimate the psychological aspect.

I never thought I'd say this, but I don't think we need more defenders. I'm more than content with Wilson, Bates and Wilson the younger; with Cardoso and Alves, I think we're fine. We need more attacking players; strikers, wingers and attacking midfielders.

McKay was.

I think the majority of us agree.

I wasn't too fussed about Dorrans and Walker, but going by last night we need some creativity and they could be the way to go.

Technically there were 5 in midfield... Most did say that we'd only need one DM, but when we played with one we were far too open. It might have been other players failing to adapt, but having one did not work. We looked a lot more comfortable with two. We need more creativity from Miller (If he has to play...), Dalcio and Waghorn when Kranjcar goes off (he can't play 90 minutes). I think we missed McKay.

Of course we'll be out of Europe in August. Were you expecting us to make the group stages?

I was thoroughly entertained by the first half, but disappointed by the result; we really should be scoring more against this side; then again, what should I have expected with Miller and Waghorn up front! The difference, for me, between the first and second half was that in the first we were looking to occupy the half-space, so there was a pass for Dalcio and Wallace on the left, be it Kranjcar that drifted in or Jack once in a while (even Miller occupied it at times), so we were able to progress the ball into the final third; there was always a nice triangle there for easy ball recycling. It wasn't so good on the right side, but totally disappeared in the second half. Kranjcar fading, playing deeper and then going off didn't help. The pressing and tempo -- first half -- was excellent, and I'd hope to see it for the full 90 minutes as the players get fully up to speed. The change to a more 1-2 set-up in central midfield (with Jack as lone DM, with Kranjcar and Miller (?) further forward) didn't work, which is funny because most were saying we would only need one DM in this game! The double pivot helps with ball possession, and allowed us to control it. He fixed it soon after by bringing on Rossiter. We need someone to replace Kranjcar as the no.10. I think McKay is better than Dalcio, although he was perhaps better at covering his full-back; he didn't do anything wrong. I actually thought Morelos looked more lively than Waghorn, which is ridiculous, holding up the ball well with good strength on one occasion. Candeias looks quick! He didn't quite gel with his teammates (Tav), but he's just arrived. Tav and Cadeias were isolated a little, with no midfielder looking to support, like Jack did on the left side; Tav was always forced to go back.

Foderingham 5 Tavernier 5 Bates 5 Cardoso 7 Wallace 5 Jack 7 Holt 5 Kranjcar 9 Dalcio 6 Waghorn 4 Miller 7 Subs : Candeis 6 Rossiter 5 Morelos 5

Thanks Ian! Looks like I was wrong - I don't know why I thought that?