Lucas Digne

[London Villan]

I think he rode his luck in some ways... League Cup Final, Covid break, start to the second season vs the second half of that season.

More ruthless owners may have sacked him the summer we stayed up...

Oh well, interesting times.

[lovejoy]

Wolves was Smith's Preston moment. As Stoke was for MON.

For what its worth I respect the owners for giving Smith a fair crack at the premier league.

[OCD]

It's easy to say in hindsight but really they should have brought Gerrard in last summer. Smith clearly didn't have full backing and Smith knew that if he didn't get us into Europe this season he would be looking for another job. I also watched Gary Neville's SoccerBox with Gerrard last night and they talked about when he nearly went to Chelsea and the reasons why he stayed. It reminded me of the Grealish situation and I wondered whether Gerrard may have convinced him to stay longer. Gerrard's formation would have also been better suited to Grealish with him playing as one of the two number 10's.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's easy to say in hindsight but really they should have brought Gerrard in last summer. Smith clearly didn't have full backing and Smith knew that if he didn't get us into Europe this season he would be looking for another job. I also watched Gary Neville's SoccerBox with Gerrard last night and they talked about when he nearly went to Chelsea and the reasons why he stayed. It reminded me of the Grealish situation and I wondered whether Gerrard may have convinced him to stay longer. Gerrard's formation would have also been better suited to Grealish with him playing as one of the two number 10's.

Did Gerrard mention the death threats in thge interview?

[OCD]

Strangely, no.

[Gerrin]

They're saying it's a 4 and a half year deal. Is that not quite long for a player who turns 29 in July.

[paul_e]

They're saying it's a 4 and a half year deal. Is that not quite long for a player who turns 29 in July.

finishes when he's 33, seems pretty reasonable, a lot of players are still going strong at that age, particularly defenders and players who aren't completely reliant on pace.

[Hookeysmith]

They're saying it's a 4 and a half year deal. Is that not quite long for a player who turns 29 in July.

finishes when he's 33, seems pretty reasonable, a lot of players are still going strong at that age, particularly defenders and players who aren't completely reliant on pace.

I thought pace was one of his key attributes?

[paul_e]

They're saying it's a 4 and a half year deal. Is that not quite long for a player who turns 29 in July.

finishes when he's 33, seems pretty reasonable, a lot of players are still going strong at that age, particularly defenders and players who aren't completely reliant on pace.

I thought pace was one of his key attributes?

maybe, but he's still a defender.

[OCD]

Digne may highlight the need for a DM even more. Last season Ancelotti had 2 defensive midfielders in Allan and Doucoure, when they were both fit. That gave him a lot more license to focus on getting forward.

[sickbeggar]

Yeah 12 days now and STILL no concrete DM link

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Yeah 12 days now and STILL no concrete DM link

12 days? Try 2 or 3 years. Let's hope this window we get it sorted.

[VinnieChase84]

Yeah 12 days now and STILL no concrete DM link

Doesnt mean one is not in the works

[eamonn]

At least we're not still stuck with Concrete Ron who turned out to be made of jelly.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Yeah 12 days now and STILL no concrete DM link

Doesnt mean one is not in the works

You've got my attention, Vinnie.