DMAA

Four strikers in the squad now with Morelos, Lafferty, Defoe & Hardie. All would very much expect to be in the matchday squad. Either Morelos is away or we're going 4-4-2/3-5-2, and we've already said Morelos is going nowhere. 3-5-2 would be mean Kent, Candeias, Grezda and Middleton wouldn't have a natural position in the team. 4-4-2 would leave only two central midfield positions despite having a lot of players in that position and having added one more. I think 3-5-2 looks very likely although I'm surprised given Kent is rated so highly by the manager. A very interesting development which I really didn't see coming.

I’ve watched more of the Kamara compilations on YouTube. Have to say I’m getting excited about him. He looks like a player who will really excel in a team who have possession. Very technically gifted player and I think he could be a real creative force in the centre of the park and a joy to watch. Some of his skills are absolutely brilliant.

Very curious to see what Kamara is like playing at a higher level. His YouTube compilation suggests he’s a player who has the potential to do it all. His technical ability in particular seems well above average for a centre mid. I hope we wait for Jones. Kilmarnock won’t let him go cheap just now and he’s not different enough to Kent. Strikingly similar in my opinion.

Just enjoyed listening to the pre-game Sportsound podcast. It was amusing to hear them discuss which Rangers players would get into the Celtic team. Only Tav and McGregor for Scott McDonald and Billy Dodds. John Hughes breaks the mould and opts for Morelos up front and Scott McDonald is in shock when he says Arfield would make it in his midfield. "John come on! Come on! Instead of of who! Come on John". Very amusing ?

Hysterical. It's a joke to say these incidents were obvious reds. Yellows yes but they were nowhere near forceful enough to be more, and the compliance officer can't give restrospective yellows. If every naughty step on a toe or similar was going to be under this kind of scrutiny I think most teams would be struggling to put 11 players on the field.

Harry Redknapp on Defoe “The little man, he is fit as a fiddle. He is an absolutely unbelieveable professional. He lives right, he doesn't drink, he's absolutely super fit. I think he could really go up there and score some goals.”

He looks brilliant on YouTube though ?

On Kamara, I haven't seen much of him in a full match so can't really comment. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit worried by the fact he couldn't get a game for Colchester in the League 2 the season before last though. According to their manager they had an injury crisis in his position but he still only managed one start and they let him go after 6 months. Sometimes a club isn't a fit but Legaue 2 is pretty brutal stuff.

He's ok. Like MOH he has abilities which we can use. But we need far more technical inside forwards for 4-3-3 to really work against deep lying defences. You creative players who can pass and shoot as well as they can run. I'd call Jones a traditional out and out winger in terms of playing style and abilities, only catch being he plays on the "wrong wing".

Sorry but not in a million years is Jordan Jones a better player than Jamie Murphy.

Hugely disappointed in this one. Mickey Francis o Halloran without the assists and goals record ? biggest strength is pace, works a treat against a deep lying defence doesn’t it? Not to mention the similarity to Middleton, who’s managed more assists this season from probably half the minutes.

Brilliant ?

Are you thinking what I’m thinking ?

What a mentor Defoe could be for Morelos. There will be loads he can learn from him. Can't help but wonder if Gerrard has mooted the possibilty of a coaching role for Defoe too.

Davis confirmed and Sky reporting Defoe done too. I’ve banged on about investing in youth but I can’t hide excitement at Defoe coming on loan. We’ve needed more clinical finishing and that bit of finesse that’s been lacking in the final third and I think he can bring it. Relatively low risk because I doubt we’re footing much of the wage bill.

I doubt Clarke will do the same. Although he'll probably bring up the Dicker incident again.

Saw that. Never a "stamp". I think it should have been a yellow but it was a minor incident, it didn't look there was any force in it at all.

Yeh we've been here before. When we won the Aberdeen Morelos appeal there was outrage on that show. The one guy with authority agreed with the decision but absolutely nothing would persuade the rest to adjust their position or tone it down. It was exasperating to listen to. No mention on the whole show of the fact he was violently barged or that McKenna himself wasn't bothered.

Lucky not to get a yellow I'd say but it's clear none were obvious reds, no case to answer.

Phew. Jones is one of the most overrated players in the league. Stewart has carried them this season.

Nothing on Gauld @Stevie - 4lads Blog? His contract is up in June so I think we are free to sign him on a Bosman. I think he's tied into a season long loan until then. If we sign don't sign him Aberdeen or Hibs probably will. Worth a punt given he's the no 10 type and would be cheap.

It's certainly a point that it's a big ask to go straight into first team football with a demanding fixture schedule with Rangers after a long spell without regular games. However there's the world of a difference between a Kranjcar or a Senderos and a Davis or Defoe. Both have a virtually flawless fitness history and that definitely counts for something. I'd be excited if Gerrard could pull Defoe off. Gerrard would be why he'd do it imo because it would be a big pay cut.

Thanks for the update Stevie. Surprised due to geography, wages, competition and first team football issue but I’m not opposed to a loan or short term deal if he’s willing to take a Davis style pay cut (which I’d be shocked by). The problem with the young players we are able to sign is general rawness. Defoe would bring technique and finesse to the final third. Even Morelos, for all his abilities, is often clumsy in possession and his finishing and passing. If fit, and he seems an evergreen type, he’d certainly improve the squad.

I find this very unlikely. He will have plenty offers much closer to home from teams who are more able to pay his wages.

Looks like this has been removed. He must read your critiques.