Where is this evidence of multiple bids from Utd? So now the anti-Raya brigade are trying to say that this whole transfer saga was made up so that it fits their own opinions?

We would beat most teams with 4-4-3 I feel.

I watched the Derby game on Bein Sports and the commentator said that Dolan reminded him of Robbie Savage. I mean...what? Then how many times on iFollow to commentators get players names wrong/mixed up? ben Brereton was called Danny Graham not long ago despite us releasing the former. I did enjoy the 4th goal against Sheff Wed last season when Lenihan scored though when the commentator said something like "and its been put in by...dont know who he is but dont really care to be honest".

Couple of assists already, which previously he would be lucky to have got that number in a season. His end product is a question but he has started well and seems to have found (or TM has finally seen) his best position. Really needs to work on his finishing though, always goes for placement with tame shots. Still, id take a ton of assists from him if he doesn't get too many goals.

if you're a proper LB and told that, you go to another side that guarantees you will be in the side over an inferior player in the squad. Ala Bauer.

Yeah I saw that - they have an ACTUAL LB called Bennett who generally keeps Cunningham out of the side. Perhaps we could switch Bennett's and hope they do not notice.

All their goals this season have come via set pieces. They are quite a big team whereas we are generally quite small apart from a few. if Ayala was anywhere fit i would have him in just to head things away. Either that or we just play them off the park and dont give them many set piece opportunities.

LB definitely has to be an upgrade - and a big one. What I don't like how he says this stuff is that it is no wonder we lose out to so many signings at the last minute. new signings are being told they have to fight their way in. It may be true but you don't say that.

I think some forget how injury-prone Lenihan and Williams are. Ayala is known for having a few injuries in recent seasons too. Not sure how you can be so confident Wharton will not be getting game time. it is why i would ideally like another CB coming in and that is with keeping Wharton.

I dunno, decent goalscoring record of 19 in 95 games primarily from midfield. Started out as a defender initially and has also played a few games up front. Love this bit on Wiki: Cardiff manager, Neil Warnock moved Paterson into a central midfield position in the new year, later stating the reasoning behind the move was because he couldn't defend.

if you watch the AA podcast in his thread, he mentioned that despite losing against Bournemouth, it still gave them confidence as if they could mix it with one of the preseason favourites just relegated from the PL, it meant that they shouldn't be afraid of anyone else. We played well, Bournemouth played well and were lucky to snatch it - could have gone either way. Certainly helped to play Wycombe as early as we did and catching Derby in a terrible run too. A set of fixtures that we feared are not looking all that bad now.

Tons of potential and if he was made available for loan, we should be all over that. The questions is whether they are going to be using him in the first team or whether they want to send him out on loan to get some regular playing time. We could give him that and with our style of play he could fit right in. He likes to maraud up and down the left flank can cross and shoot too.

I agree the LB certainly has to be of a high standard as he would be coming straight into the first team (you would hope). But for me, a little more strength in depth (competition) at CB and RB would be ideal. I am fairly happy with our depth in midfield and attack - just at the back it worries me.

It might not be wafer thin but there are some areas that need further strengthening in an ideal world. On top of the LB and backup goalie we could do with a couple more at least. All 3 of our CBs are injury-prone (that includes Ayala), we then just have Wharton and some untested kids. Nyambe is injury-prone, we have Bennett and JRC (already injured) backing him up and they are not even RBs. Get a couple of injuries in these positions at the same time and we could be in trouble.

Yeah difficult to get carried away just yet although we have been playing some lovely stuff. Wycombe will get beat by most this season and Derby have been in freefall post-lockdown. Think we have just found better positions for some of our players and they have hit form early. Holtby in that deeper role for one, Rothwell has been immense in CM and is starting to get a bit of end-product with an assist. Even Breo admittedly looks a different player. Still, though unlucky, Bournemouth showed that we will still concede goals against the better sides. I then worry about our depth in some positions. Lenihan, WIlliams and Nyambe always spend time out with injuries as does Holtby. We do have some kids coming through that should help but in defence in particular is a worry for me. Do think we will beat Cardiff and Forest though (on current form of the teams) and our next real test will be Watford.

Yup, and this one. https://www.ccmb.co.uk/showthread.php?445902-My-18-versus-Blackburn-if-no-one-signs-for-us-in-the-meantime-and-are-all-fit-to-play

Cardiff fans not looking forward to this one. On their boards, 60% of them are predicting a win for us. They are actually very complimentary of how we are playing - some reckon we were the best team to play at their place last season too.

ANT gonna happen

What a shit year to be born, lol

3 will do

merlot?

Ayala playing, nice.

Against 9th place in League 1 and Derby who have won 2 games in 11. i am happy with how we are playing but you have to reign in your thoughts a little. Dack comes in to any team, let alone ours.

yeah, so, as i said, hardly good news for Fisher. Highly rated, Munich were after him, he wont be a sub keeper. He will go ahead of Dowling. All pushed upwards, so Fisher is under real pressure now.