David Kelly

He's been vastly improved this season to the way he ended last. It looks like that injury he was carrying was really hampering him. Lets hope he can go on and fulfil his potential here.

I like the stat about passing the ball forward. You see loads of midfielders these days that are like Colback or Jordan Henderson who just pass sideways or backwards all the time. You can see the difference with Merino. He's mad an excellent start for us, long may it continue. At the moment it only looks like he's going to go better and better.

I fancied listening to some Oasis this afternoon so I decided to listen on one that I hadn't heard in ages, Dig Out Your Soul. I remember now why I've not listened to it in ages. They really did become pretty useless post What's The Story.

I don't think many people are actually expecting this to happen though. Yes we are allowing ourselves to dream a bit of what could happen but the expectation is still that Ashley will fuck us over.

I went to the Slovakia game in France last summer and I can't remember a thing about that game (admittedly I'd had a drink or two). We just went over for the experience, none of us actually cared about England.

I don't really see Spurs owners wanting to sell at the moment with a squad and manager capable securing champions league football again this season and next and with another increased deal round the corner. They may understand the risk of losing Kane and Potch but they are now in a position where they can attract top players. Maybe not of the same standard as Kane but not that far behind it. It's not the same as when they lost Bale and didn't know what to spend the money on. And I don't think they would be concerned about losing Kane for a few years yet anyway. Our problem is not being attractive to a buyer, it's Ashley.

I'm sure their valuation of Spurs has previously been mentioned as more than that actually. Edit: Forbes had them valued at over £800m in June.

Weren't there regular Christmas Day games in the past? Where we (those of us who haven't migrated South) live means it's a bit of a fuck on to travel anywhere for any away match. I've got a ticket to Man U next month and it's about £70 for the train or a three hour dive (longer in the bus) and no drinking. But the authorities give us no consideration whatsover (three of our four longest away treks this season have been moved to four o'clock on a Sunday. No doubt Bournemouth with have some other ridiculous kick off). We should get medals for following the club all over the country but we just get shit on as per.

Aye it's been widely reported now that she's looking to head a buy out group rather than just broker a deal. I must admit, from her dish alone, I'd much rather see her as the face of our owners than Ashley and Charnley.

If we're having a sweep, my money is on a week next Thursday.

Is that a question or a statement?

Manquillio has already been far better than the mackems said or I thought he'd be. Doubt he'll ever be top quality but he seems like a useful squad addition.

I'm surprised you don't know. I've got no idea who of them was there. Tbh I'd struggle to pick most of their players out of a lineup these days.

I see Wood is in the Lions squad to travel to Australia. If he's fit and firing with them, he might still be an option to draught into the test team if the bowlers are struggling.

Oh well in that case

Could it not just be that she's a busy woman and was available to attend this game? I mean it's not like it will be difficult for her to scrape together the money for the mega bus up here is it. It's an interesting story that I'll be following, but I'll avoid wanking myself silly over it (although she might just about be worth knocking one out over regardless) until we have something a little more concrete.

Apparently half their squad was at Close House yesterday never setting foot outside the hospitality tent. Celebrating their point no doubt.

I really don't get where you can pick up anything to praise Perez about. Apart from just before he got taken of and he actually seemed to wake up to the fact that he has to actually sprint and put his body into challenges. If he did that regularly I might be able to forgive the fact that every time the ball goes near him the move breaks down. I really don't see what we could possibly lose by playing Gayle instead of him. If nothing else he'd be a threat in the box and his extra pace would trouble defences. Personally I think we should have had Hayden on for him yesterday. I think taking Merino off for Hayden was a mistake as we couldn't keep the ball once this change was made. If we'd took Perez off instead it might have looked on paper like a more defensive move, but it would have actually stopped us from dropping so far back and helped us retain possession. At the moment it's playing against 12 men and we're just about getting away with it. But if we want to stay up this end of the table, we're going to have do something about Perez. Anyway I still think that was a good result against a team who have well over a £100m of attacking players. Yes they might have had more of the play but they rarely troubled us apart from lucky bounces leading to counter attacks or sliced clearances. I thought all of the back four were excellent and Yedlin in particular deserves to be singled out for praise. I think it was the first time I realised just how fast he actually is. Shelvey and Merino were also both very good and if the continue like that will dominate lesser teams. And once again Ritchie's worth ethic alone makes him just about our most important player.

I actually think he'd quite enjoy the stick. It's just a case of making sure he's not allowed out by himself at night.

Unless they have no other choice there's no way they won't take Stokes to Australia. He's more important to the team than Root.

I think it will be Vince. But I agree with Bayliss that it should be Root. Seemed clear from that interview (although I missed the end of it) that Wood would have been in the squad had he proved he could stay fit. I think without him they've just dismissed any thought of a fast bowler and just looked to stick to our strengths. Whether or not our strengths can outweigh the conditions remains to be seen.

Should be a good run chase to watch here.

They are a strength of ours but could end up being a weakness if we don't have the specialist players we need. Plunkett as you say seems to have been forgotten about at test level now. As does Finn.

I don't know much about Overton, does he have pace? Ball is pretty much the same as those other four so I tend to agree with you.

That's a major reason for me wanting him there.