LAM09

They will still qualify for the Conference league if PSG win the cup. A dire performance tonight (could have easily lost been 5 goals). Petrovic didn't cover himself in glory either.

Unfortunately, he was performing at a level that was far higher than anybody else in our team, which meant that others were under less pressure—or, maybe more accurately, that they weren't in the limelight. His and the team's decline just highlighted all of the problems we were previously aware of. Since it has been demonstrated that the unavoidable hot streak would eventually cool off and no one would be able to pick up the slack, reinforcements of a comparable calibre should have been signed throughout the summer to assist him. What may have happened this season if Osimhen and a good AM/WF had been signed instead of Felix, who was a pointless acquisition. I feel like I would be more disgruntled about James' current position had we had a physical presence to get on the end of his best attribute, crosses. Aside from the goal coming from one moment of magic, we were whipping in crosses whenever the chance arose to effectively no one. I'd like to think that this position will be permanently filled by someone else should Maresca remain with James possibly being pushed further afield, as no matter what people say, a fully fit James should have a starting berth without question.

I really thought he had found his mojo again after his MOTM performance against Liverpool. His last two performances suggest that clearly isn't the case. Need our big players in these kind of moments. James did that tonight with the assist.

Just look at what Maguire went for a number of season ago and the rumoured price for Guehi in recent windows. We could probably get even more thanks to the HG/English tax.

It would be nice to have players turn up when they are needed most. It will certainly be an eventful end to the season (disregarding CWC).

I feel there's no chance of any club spending £70m+ and agreeing to a big sell one. If Konate leaves Liverpool, they could seriously push for Colwill again.

Things are still in our own hands. A comfortable Arsenal win on Sunday would see us move up a space, but that's irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. We have two finals coming up. I hope we can deliver when it truly matters.

EPL officials are a joke. The shot is on target.

Someone has to be the scapegoat for last week. It seems like him and Lavia were the fall guys.

I thought Neto was meant to be more defensive minded. Dorgu has been free all match so far.

He's "PL proven" and experienced.

Possibly saved by VAR. Tosin all over the place with that frame is inexcusable, though.

I was worried Maresca might go down the false nine route again. I'm pleased to see he's made the right decision (one that really should have been made after the Fulham game).

There were literally reports like a day ago saying he wants to remain at Como and continuing to build that team. It would actually be refreshing to see him remain at least for another season rather than these former players making the step up at any opportunity (Motta - failed, Kompany - joke league, etc).

I've been very vocal about his lapses in concentration, which seem to happen multiple times per game, so I'm totally with you and your evaluation. The issue is those making the decisions and actually being blindsighted where one of our own is concerned. Guehi doesn't excite me in the slightest especially if the rumoured fees are to be believed. Are players in their prime really going to accept £150kpw~?

What happens to Colwill if we purchase two CBs? Purchasing someone who would mostly be a bench/rotation player would be a waste of money because it appears that the club has all of their expectations on him for that position. That, in my opinion, is mostly due to the owners' readiness to spend a lot of money on players. We may be in a far better situation both financially and on the pitch if they stopped spending £50–80 million on poor players who COULD be the next this or that.

I could play devil's advocate and say, we were a win off being top of the league in December to potentially missing out on CL football entirely. There are key components to building a balance squad that are missing - Reliable GK, WC CB, and WC WF/CF. Those three are effectively what won the title for Liverpool. If I am to believe everything that is written, we won't be addressing any of those areas with the level of quality required. Estevao could potentially "take to water like a duck", but I highly doubt it given his age & physique.

Your guess is as good as mine. City have a buy-back option as well, which I hadn't seen mentioned anywhere. Whose we? My thoughts match yours. I saw enough off him at last year's Euros to see he's just another hyped up player. They did sign Reis & Khusanov for almost £70m in Jan. I don't see them as ready made anything. Getting De Bruyne's massive wages off the books might have the slightest impact on potential business next month.

I agree. If he hadn't come from City's academy, there would be little to no hype surrounding him.

Delap going to United couldn't be a worse move for him considering the state of the club. It's just a shame that something like this doesn't immediately signal our intentions of going back in for Osimhen.

Feeder club!

I applaud him for actually taking accountability, especially at his age. A number of players here could learn a lot from him.

Obi Mikel said he wasn't a top CF who could lead Chelsea. Jackson having the nerve to call him out on social media screams everything that is wrong with most modern day players.

False nine knowing Maresca.

Really has. He seems to constantly be picking up injuries which doesn't help his case either. Sad to think we might have to go after a RB if Acheampong isn't giving more playing time.