bluebruce

For 3 more weeks. His absence doesn't constitute a need for a signing, especially given how long it takes for us to get our ducks in a row in the market. Probably be a week before he's back at best by the time we signed someone, if not him returning first. Your other points are fairer. Though it should be remembered we can't afford/attract a genuinely good RWB to mostly be Alebiousu's understudy, the backup is always going to be flawed. I'm more bothered about improving the first 11, and getting another goalscorer in. I'd be leaving any decision on getting another RWB when we have got other ducks in a row (striker, centre half, future Tronstad replacement to settle in for the summer, if we've managed to find one who is good enough that we can afford). By the time we have done that, we'd know more about our remaining budget, and more about whether Litherland is adequate filling in there if Alebiousu gets injured. Because an adequate backup is about all we can expect at present. If he keeps performing as he has, I think Litherland qualifies for that for now, and can also be backup for a back three spot if his form or injuries warrant, meaning he should get a reasonable amount of development time if he's up to it.

In fairness, when he says things there is a possibility they are true, or partly true. He does get some things right. But there's at least as much chance it's cobblers, so hanging on his every word is ludicrous.

I wouldn't have thought a Kent exile would struggle with a London accent! Until I clicked I assumed he must have reverted to pidgin English. The background noise makes it tougher to make out though. He gave his Nigerian name, that I can't spell, said he liked what I think was a Nigerian dish that I can't spell, said he grew up in Arsenal's youth academy (slightly odd turn of phrase to say he grew up there but hey), and that he likes to sing and makes music on the side, but doesn't release it. He was supposed to give 5 things people didn't know about him, so the 5th one was 'I fucking hate Venkys' (I wish, he couldn't think of a 5th one).

Definitely not the sort of career that warrants the decision to mug us off, mind. I'm sure his wage slip looked lovely for a couple of years though.

Hope we didn't do what I often do on FM, and slap a big fat clause for an international cap to save me a bit of dosh knowing full well he will never get a cap for such a big country...before noticing he has a second nationality.

Alebiousu starting against Uganda. The names I actually recognise are all on the bench. Looks like the second string being given the chance to impress.

And we had Rhodes and Gestede banging in about 20+ each and didn't even make the playoffs. If Ohashi can get past 12 goals, then especially with his work rate, I'm happy enough with him. It would definitely be a plus to have someone more prolific for when AG is out though.

Since Ohashi has 7 goals halfway through the season (plus a cancelled one from the postponed game) it seems pretty reasonable to think he will be scoring more than 10 goals and could reach 15.

Yep. At this point anything around a million with a decent sell-on would be happy days.

It seems very much like the senior management rate him more than the u21 coaches.

I can't imagine him trying to get them to do anything they don't want to.

Shame about the last part. Snivelling little shit.

Pasha is gone?

To add to this, there is a solid chance that when Tronstad leaves us in the summer, he will have made more league appearances for us in his 3 years than Wharton will have made in nearly 10.

Yes and no. It's also frustrating if we lose a key player for those games for absolutely no reason, although it's better than if we had lost him to injury. And the emergence of Litherland is a bonus that may not have happened without this. We still have 4 points from 6 in his absence I think it is, so it hasn't been crushing so far. He should come back refreshed if he doesn't play (jet lag around the time aside) though he will also train hard, and could lose a bit of match sharpness. Or may be deflated from wasting his time going out there. I hope and expect he at least comes back with a cap. Given they are already likely to go through as winners I suspect they will start him. Which lets them rest the other lad and see how Ryan does.

If you perceived aggression, that's down to you. None was meant. I've got better things to do than be aggressive about football opinions these days. You said that Finn did all the work behind the scenes or something like that. I was asking where you got that information from. Where to go with that would have been to answer the question so that I knew what you were basing that opinion on. Perhaps I'd have learnt something.

I've been perfectly civil throughout, and only questioned you on things you said.

Wow, 28, that surprised me. Thought he was about 26. Definitely not a promising youngster anymore though! Amazing that he made his debut in 2016, and yet hasn't made 100 league appearances for us yet (98 according to Wiki). He has some 210 total career appearances, but injuries have definitely done a number on the poor lad. Hope his brother avoids that fate.

I think that's a big assumption. He is still only 20 and used to be seen as a major prospect. Pratt has only made his breakthrough at 22.

Still on the books. 5 PL2 games for the U21s this season. Plus 2 PL Cup, 2 National League Cup.

I'm sorry that you don't like your opinions to be questioned.

In your opinion? Based on what?

He's not the centre halves or the flap-handed keeper mate.

I guess Sammie Szmodics was shit too because we nearly got relegated with him. It's almost like a team's performance in the league boils down to more than one player.

Well it can't just be you in the minority opinion on a player all the time.