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There's a time and place for it, absolutely - I coach a grassroots side and my lad plays CB, so I know this all too well. But, equally, a modern defender needs to be good with his/her feet also now.

The change in formation has undoubtedly had a positive effect on performances and results. The last 5/6 games in isolation certainly make things seem more optimistic. But due to the make up of the squad and also a few injuries, the squad looks even thinner so looking forward ita a massive worry. Miller, McLoughlin, Alebiosu, Ohashi and Gudjohnsen will pretty much have to play every minute in each 2 game week due to a lack of credible alternatives, thats half a team. Add to that, is a defence of Miller, McLaughlin and Pratt protecting Pears strong enough even without injuries? We know what January will spit out. Excuses, disappointment and negligence.

I was just watching the bbc highlights of the Palace v Wolves game. Wharton gets a ball on the half turn under pressure and flicks a 25 yd ball with the outside of his left foot straight into the stride of a team mate who then puts Mateta clean through on goal. The lad has a radar in his brain.

Hes up with them, many of them didnt play anywhere near as much as Gueye has.

If we could be confident of building something so that the group could stay together I'd be happy too. But I'm sure we'll lose Cantwell and Pickering in January and Trondstadt in the summer---at least. If a big offer comes in for Toth will we turn it down? If Pratt continues that first game form, will we keep him? Its soul-destroying to always be seeing what could be, then watching it disappear.

I think the problem with Liverpool is they're playing a very attacking starting line up to begin with. Even Gravenberch who was fantastic as that holding midfielder last season is being asked to get forward more. Then they go a goal down and slot seems to start taking defenders off for attackers. Like a kid playing fifa and playing 10 strikers. Last season he did little tactical tweaks and changed games. This season he seems to just chuck all his attackers on and hope he brute forces a victory. Also too many passengers - kerkez ineffective - Isak seems to be paying the price for downing tools all of pre season - looks way off it - salah - I said this last season he is a passenger for the vast majority of games last season he got away with it cos he'd pop up with a goal or an assist then go back to being ineffective for 88 minutes but this season he is contributing nothing. Absolute passenger in games. Effectively playing with 9/10 men each game.

So long as we forget the cricket!!

It’s a good job we played them when we did.

I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I do wish people would stop with the hyperbole with Gueye. Yes he's not very good, but people saying he's the worst striker they've seen in the last 30 years, or the worst player they've ever seen watching Rovers, is so ott. He scored or assisted 12x last season. Think of some of the other names he's up against over that era. Davies, Ward, Grabbi, Brown, Delfonso, Hirst, Stokes, Watt, Telavic, Varney, Goodwille, DJ Cambell, Jackson, Paul Taylor, Woodrow etc etc.

If that is what you need, that is what you do

On the football side, I’m certainly not getting carried away - but the most pleasing aspect for me (aside from winning, obviously) is the huge work rate from the players. In recent games they’ve been running non-stop with no shortage of effort. On top of that, a few of the players are hitting some form and the team overall is looking much better. I’m definitely feeling a lot more confident about avoiding relegation now, which was a real worry a couple of months ago. The league is quite tight overall, so who knows.

I’m not really bothered whether I warm to him or not. I never listen to what managers say anyway, Mowbray cured me of that. I thinks it’s pretty obvious for what ever reason he’s got the players on side. Well, the ones that are playing anyway. The guys who are left out regularly might have a different opinion.

MGP should have scored, I am not completely surprised that Gueyre missed.

Based on what we saw last night, with some nice headers, interceptions and well-timed challenges - I'd suggest he most certainly can. Being a defender in the modern day is inclusive of being comfortable with the ball at your feet. It's no longer about Peter Kay style 'ave it clearances as the staple.

He’s no worse than any of the other candidates but they are taller I think.

He did everything right, got into a really good position, then made a complete balls of it. Reminds me of MGP at Old Trafford.

I for one am enjoying watching the current iteration of Valerian’s team more than any other since the League 1 promotion team. I love the effort and watching players find their feet and emerge. It’s the first time I’ve thought 3-5-2 has got legs: we have two great wingbacks who actually play as wingbacks, and two up front who combine Herculean effort with great poaching. Toth and Cantwell will improve us further. Onwards!

Good ball in, really good header. It looked like a planned move to me.

I think our season changed for the better when Ismael “ discovered “ that a 3-5-2 system fitted our players skill set.

The more I see Gueye's header near the end, the more I realise, he is a shit striker.

Good evening as always Gav. Im battling on. Hope you and yours are good.

Can he defend though?

He’s very composed with the ball at his feet and he can bring it of defence without losing possession.

Good to see you posting @onlyonejackwalker Hope you are well 👍

5 games ago we were in the bottom three and 2 points from safety. We’re now 9 points clear of the drop zone. I’d say we’ve moved from negative both on and off the pitch to negative off and positive on. How long that will continue? I guess we’ll find out.