bluebruce

Got to say, Crooke's report on the new guy came across pretty amateurish... he either read about it on here, which is fairly likely and not a problem as such (hi Jacob) or he used the same google translate that the lad who posted the translation in here used. He really should have made some obvious alterations though...but it was funny to read in an 'official' publication Aleesami twice talking about 'driving medically' instead of 'driving for a medical'. Don't think you're supposed to drive when medicated! Not to mention the 'the end of the transition window', which makes it sound like he's nearly done with his gender reassignment surgery.

Interesting, that wasn't the impression I got from the clips at all. Aleesami looked a lot more confident and decisive, a little rough, and maybe lacking discipline. Also seemed to turn reasonably quickly. Just goes to show what a well composed highlight reel can do to impressions of a player!

Aye, though you'd sorta have to say we play with 3 up front now. Not true strikers though. I think we are fine there for now though.

Much better clip, got more of a sense of him now. Undoubtedly looks a lot better attacking than Bell. It's a highlights reel of course so can't judge that too much, but I think if you put it against a Bell highlights reel I'd be saying the same. He looks a lot more aggressive and, critically, decisive than Bell in attack. Seems to really enjoy bursting forwards, sometimes to the point of recklessness. That generally gives me kittens as I like defenders to defend first and foremost, even the full backs or wing backs, but it may suit our new style well and help against those shore-up sides like Cardiff. Defensively it's harder to judge. Certainly seems stronger (or again, maybe just more aggressive). No defending on the clip that made me think wow, but I don't need defending to be eye catching, I need it to be solid, consistent and free from mistakes as often as possible. These clip reels can't tell you that, they can only tell you the best he is capable of. Shorter and probably less aerial presence. The reel included a couple of clear fouls he was presumably lucky to get away with. He seems as quick as Bell, though that may have diminished with age as I've no idea how old the clips are, but hits top speed quicker and can turn more nimbly. If I was to base it entirely off that clip, I wouldn't be too unhappy with signing him, although I'm not salivating based on comments from our Norweigans.

You're right. I didn't watch it all, I kept skipping forward a bit because nothing was happening. And each time, still nothing was happening. I learnt nothing until the last time I skipped, where it shows him scoring a rocket with his right from the edge of the area. That's a good sign at least, he's not one-footed. He couldn't fluke hitting it that well if he had a really bad right foot.

If you don't think he would improve the team, are you saying you disagree he is better than Bell?

Free transfers often want a big chunk of the missing transfer fee for their signing on fee and wages though. As long as he is a fairly substantial upgrade on Bell I'm happy. What's his full name?

I dunno if you were posting that meme with full awareness of this, but that clip and quote is from the mini series Chernobyl. Let's just say things turn out terrible, not great, not all that long after he says it... Hopefully our fate is very different though!

Because Liverpool have higher standards, and more of a need for top top players to go straight into their world class team, than Sheffield United do?

We didn't learn anything new about Gallagher today though. Besides, it would be a little harsh to judge him on his first minutes of football in quite some time. Hasn't even played a U23 game to warm up has he? We saw him last season, where he wasn't good enough for our aims, and that's what we are judging him on really. He had flashes last year though and I still think there's a player in there, but I'm sceptical that we will ever truly see it.

I wasn't talking about any specific player but our whole team and style. It needs revising for games like this as it relies on the ball being played accurately on the deck, and for the counter, on pace to break away from the opposition. Both are hampered by a bogged down pitch, as anyone who has played on one knows. Being paid a lot of money doesn't make your game impervious to weather.

If Birmingham don't win we are still top 6, so it's still a good start to the season.

We could play all night and not score here. Cardiff too well drilled, ourselves lacking enough imagination to break through it.

That was a wank effort Chappers

I know fans love to exaggerate but that's not true. He drew their guy into getting sent off after winning the ball and bursting away. He had a lovely control and pass in the middle of the park on a break away earlier. He is, however, underwhelming overall, especially out wide, and the miss will be costly.

Personally I think we are at our worst when we are just passing it around the edge of the box looking for an opening. Main reason being there is never any urgency, nobody is actually making any darting runs off their man for openings to appear. They just stand casually in place and stroll a few feet to the left or right. Just watch how limited our movement is next time we are in that position.

Terrific cross from Bell there

That red is either exactly what we need or will make Cardiff park the bus impassably. No idea what Tomlin is moaning about, when I saw the replay that's probably a straight red. Just elbowed him in the neck!

Really think without the rain we would have scored by now. Keeps having an effect at critical moments. We need to be able to play effectively in bad weather because there is a lot of it coming up.

Maybe I'm picking up on a small point too much here but it bugs me to see Gally readjusting his hair just before a corner especially when he has only just come on. Just shave it off lad! You're a big bloke, look a lot more menacing to defenders with a skinhead, and none of that fannying about with your hair.

Fantastic touch to bring that down from Arma

Sloppy pass from Del, who had been decent so far, nearly got us in trouble. So Buckley in the mid with Gally, Arma and Rothwell in the front 3?

Is Arma going wide or are we seeing the old '6 ft 4 winger' bollocks again...oh confirmed now, it's the latter. Tbf might be a bit more effective today with the weather and the opposition.

Poor pass from Arma

Ref has to start punishing Cardiff properly for all these rough house tactics. Dolan getting no protection. Got clattered a minute ago and we didnt even get a free kick