Bill

What exactly is a "football insider" anyway? Am I one?

Yes, Sakala brings enthusiasm and a directness that has been sadly lacking. As for contribution and end product, didn't he lay on a goal for Morelos and at least two more chances that should have been taken? Didn't he dispossess opponents deep in his own half on more than one occasion? He seems to me to be one of the last players we should be critical of.

By the same token, he's a perfect ambassador for what he appears to believe in.

For a couple of years back in the early 90's I worked alongside Davie Robb who played for Aberdeen in the 60's and 70's. He died this summer aged 74. Davie was an excellent guy, rough as anything but a kinder heart you couldn't find. He struck me as a typical footballer who battled alcohol for years after hanging up his boots and suffered for it but he was 100 times the man the Thumb will ever be so it wouldn't surprise me if you're right.

It's not hard to predict where this loser will be in ten years' time. On the dole, propping up some backstreet bar, looking at least 60.

If there's a point to this, why not cut everyone a break and plainly state it.

I don't understand all this criticism of Qatar. It's an excellent place to visit, just maybe not if you're a bleeding heart snowflake with the weight of the world on your shaky shoulders or a boozed up thug looking for a fight. If you're the former no one will give you a moment's notice and if you're looking for a fight then the Doha police will certainly accommodate you. Otherwise, great hotels, great roads, great restaurants, great climate, great stadiums, green grass, the lot. I also don't understand why no one in the UK is capable of pronouncing the name of the country properly. The emphasis is all on the first 'a' not the second one. But most of all I don't understand all this fuss about Qatar being selected to host the tournament. It seems to me nothing took place in this selection process that hasn't also taken place in every previous World Cup hosting process. The umbrage taken because the host isn't one of us and still openly practices institutional bribery and slavery seems completely over the top.

And that tells us what exactly?

Agreed, the Leeds support seem very different, as do Newcastle fans who probably have more claim to a unique geographical identity than most.

I think it's best not to get too excited about income. I'll be interested to see our expenditure side and especially whether any provisions have been set aside to cover particular costs.

He was first choice LB who out of necessity was moved to CB

That's a very good point.

Yes, I think that's right. Or perhaps Sands should be the deep midfielder anyway. Lundstram just seems to contribute more when allowed to move further forward.

Or Yilmaz maybe. There was a reason Calvin Bassey became first choice LB.

Good news. I'm not sure if football clubs are like other commercial entities but if you were thinking about selling the club, this might well be maximum valuation.

I suppose the only credible reply is "I don't but how do you know that's what the manager insists he does?" My point is that here's a guy with some talent who spends too many games contributing almost nothing. Of course he can cross the ball and can be very successful doing so but does that mean we should ignore the many times a suitably-angled plank of wood on the touchline would be a more cost-effective alternative.

No point anyone shouting into that echo chamber

I've always been intrigued by the Liverpudlian psyche - the cloying self-pity and desperation to be seen as victims, competing with their cheeky-chappie claims to be superior and worthy of better consideration. They do seem to be a tad fucked up contradictory.

That's exactly why Lundstram and Jack often performed well together

A fair impression of one anyway

IMO Barisic has been nowhere near our best player this season. I'm all for seeing the good in players but you're pushing credibility here. One thing I will give Barisic though - he has outshone Tavernier for weeks and if it wasn't for Yilmaz he might currently be described as our best fullback.

I take your point but Borna's classic game is hug the touchline, receive the ball, take four strides forward, stop, turn around, pass the ball backwards, ad fucking nauseam. He looks for one pass - down the wing - never comes inside, never leaves the touchline, never tries a different approach. He drives me insane watching his chickenshit performances most days. He's another of our players who suck the tempo out of games and seems too terrified of being criticised to ever express himself. Now and then he shows confidence and positivity but far too seldom to see him as anything other than a selection of last resort.

If it's even handedness you're after I suggest you need to try a different shop because they stopped serving that in this shithole a long time ago. It's best not to hanker after something you already know doesn't exist and never will unless we find ourselves under very different management.

Bugger the SNP. They’d have us all gagged and locked in cages if they could. I’d rather have freedom to say what we want, when we want, how we want - even if it occasionally offends.

Many candidates but for consistent contribution throughout it had to be SANDS for me. He's finally reaching the stage where he genuinely feels he belongs in that team.