Nah. Who signed the cheques? Do you really think that self made man Parish is so easily persuaded to part with his cash. For him surely it was part of the dream, like the new stadium. Problem is the game is full of grifters, sick notes and overpaid chumps...

I’d almost rather play with 10 men than watch Jeff Schlupp impersonate a football player. Woeful.

With our midfield so unbalanced I would play Luka, Doucoure and Hughes in the middle with Olise and Zaha either side of them and Matteta as our main forward. Normal back four and with that 11 we will pick up the necessary points to keep us in the prem. Eza as an impact player from the bench. I’m sure PV won’t do that, but after Forrest, Fulham and Spurs and with tough games coming up we will drop into a relegation fight if he doesn’t sort the unbalanced midfield out :-(

Had my Roy Hodgson head on :-)

Next one out the door for free could well be Zaha. That would really not be good.

I fully agree. Against the top teams we cannot afford the luxury players all across our midfield as they do nothing without the ball. Its giving the better teams too much time and space and puts too much pressure on our back 4.(The stats don't lie)

Something like this would be a sensible change:

Guaita

Ward - Guehi - Anderson - Mitchell(when back)

Luka

Doucoure Hughes

Ayew Eze

Zaha

More workmanlike but solid, need to start with defence against the top 6 sides and hope the forwards can create a moment of magic.

We have players we can bring on to change things if needed, but team needs more steel at this time.

Happy to stick with normal formation against lower teams as this seems to work a little more.

Some people are like Slinkies … not really good for anything, but you can’t help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.