Rayvin

You think? I think he's been next to useless at Liverpool

...Not as confident with this one. Really unsure. If they go for the win, I think we'll do them. If they defend well and are organised more than aggressive, I think we'll find it unnerving, become desperate in our attempts to break through and could ultimately end up with a slim loss or draw.

The Russians are having a fucking mare with diving

Nice!

I think the disconnect here, if I may, is that you and CT are arguing different things. You're looking at stats and drawing conclusions (primarily) - CT is looking at what he's seen Mitrovic do and assessing based on that. It's kind of understandable that you'd both be able to come to different conclusions. Mitrovic certainly gave the impression of being a bit profligate in front of goal last year, even if the stats don't back that up. That said, he also seemed to be taking up the right positions and generally making a nuisance of himself (in a positive way) whenever I saw him.

@yourservice does seem to have a good eye for the scores, based on an early reading of it. I'm guessing we decided against a pool for this in the end?

Isn't a solid reading of the game something that comes with experience? Surely people aren't just born being able to predict the ebbing and flowing of football matches. Anticipation is a learned skill isn't it? Granted some learn faster than others.

Have you ever had a positive, optimistic thought though?

...Anyway... Whether we rate Mitro or not, I guess we can all agree that getting in this other lad would be a good move, if we can. Any mention of a fee?

Godspeed, Meenz...

I don't know what Mitro ever did to CT, like. He's one of the few likeable players at the club...

Yeah, CT always rated Mitrovic of course, so it makes sense that looking at someone who's a similar age, build and with a comparable scoring rate would be right up his street

A striker... do we need another striker? Cover for Gayle?

I still reckon Lascelles will come good. Clarke and Hanley I'm less sure about but it's still too early to tell really.

One way or another the infighting has to stop. Surely we can all agree that one thing worse than a Corbyn led Labour party is a Corbyn led Labour party that is perpetually undermined by its MPs.

I think that's one of those 'it's all relative' ones. It's fair unless you consider the last 8 years though. Young people coming into work now are not, I would argue, better off than those who entered work before it. On that basis alone, surely things are getting worse?

Nice one, thanks. I just want to see all of the indignation from the Chinese

Anyone think we're likely to pick up any more golds? I'm judging success in the games based on whether or not we can stay ahead of China...

I feel like I know that song, but it's been replaced in my head by what feels like a much more recent version sung by someone like Katy Perry? Or Rihanna? One of those kinds of throw away popstars... Anyway thanks, that's not going away for the rest of the morning.

I agree, I'm not saying their system was better. I'm just concerned that this game hasn't really proven we can break teams down if they're obstinate. That said, we'll have Mitro back soon and there are definitely a number of positives from this match. I'm probably just overthinking it.

The only thing that's really bothering me in truth is that this is exactly the kind of game that Rafa supposedly excels in. (i.e. the other team trying to make things happen and us on the counter). If this was a case of his gameplan just working well against a team who set up in the way Reading do, then I don't think we've actually made as much progress here as we might hope. Does this result give any indication that we'd be able to break down teams who stubbornly defend and concede possession? I'm not sure it does. Not that it's all doom and gloom - we're finally converting chances for one thing.

He's just covering all bases IMO. Classic CT.

Wykiki has dropped all pretense now, I see.

I think Reading play a possession game anyway mind. I had a look on their forums and loads of them were complaining about how they prioritise possession over success. Apparently Stam is trying to reinvent them into some kind of Barcelona.