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Rogers, Pedro and Palmer all put in very good shifts defensively. Their role is to defend high up the pitch to make defensive players think twice about bursting forward. We should not be relying on them defending near the box. Pedro's inexperience defending led to a simple block turning into an OG. Gusto and Neto were most at fault for the first goal. Gusto stood ball-watching while Rogers was trying to shield the ball from two Brighton players, and he did well but unluckily conceded a throw; instead of running back into position, Gusto stops, then throws his hand up, and then tracks back at speed but only after Neto has missed his tackle. There is no logical reason why Gusto, the nominal CM and a player actually capable at LB, should have been waiting stationary in an attacking LM position while Rogers and then Neto had to deal with an attack. He was certainly at fault for the last goal, Gross was his man and Rogers' height and presence means we rely on him to defend set pieces there, and I'm sure Austin McPhee expects Rogers to be one of his 'generals' out there given they have previously worked together well. Yes, it was at the end of the game and Rogers was clearly gassed, but we will have more consequential injury times in the season ahead. Rogers is by far the best defender of the three, he is excellent at winning the ball in central midfield. His seeming hesitation (like King's goal at Fulham) is at least partially explained by a lack of understanding with his new teammates. The defense only gets better if Rogers, Pedro, Palmer (and Estevao/Quenda) are allowed to do their thing and create real jeopardy and risk in the minds of midfielders wanting to push forward. All it takes is a save and a long-pass from Martinez to make them instantly regret their decision. Rogers "working harder" doesn't meaningfully solve the main problem with our defence, which is that our players are spaced way too widely and have to cover big ground to catch people running between the lines or at the back posts.

The only people that benefit are the foreign banks and private equity companies that lend money to finance the transfer payables. The league is essentially a shadow bank where clubs transfer debts and promises of payments, the sums "paid" for players might as well be Monopoly money. FFP/PSR was intended to bring solvency for clubs, instead it has created an anti-competitive mess that threatens the financial stability of the sport itself. There is a real risk that next year, players are no longer able to be accounted for as intangible assets the same way they are now, meaning clubs will be owing 5-10x as much to private lenders as they can possible recoup in transfer fees. TV deals and advertising around the world have stagnated. It may not look like it now but we seriously could be entering the death throes of the EPL, in the same way the first dominoes fell in Serie A in the late 1990s.

Best wishes. Worth keeping an eye on Como with Cesc, Trev and Sanchez

That only stands if Fernandez was key to us moving forward. I’d argue both Camara and Kone are better suited to Alonso’s midfield than Enzo ever could be

For extra perspective, that would be paying £65m for a kid who is equally likely to be the next Bakoyoko or Tchouameni, and £75m for a player who has a similar injury record to Lavia despite playing in much less intense leagues: We do need midfield cover, but not at that cost and risk. I'd keep the powder dry for January where both Alex Scott and Adam Wharton will be readily available.

It's very early days in his development. He's not going anywhere and if this rumour is true its just Liverpool showing an early interest so at some point in the future they can say they have been long time admirers. Dippers do one.

If we play like Villa did tonight we might get something as our attacking options are far better…our defence and non existent midfield is the worry…..if Enzo stays…does he play? If we play like we did against Fulham and Brighton I think we’ll get spanked…

There's also Maresca, Lampard, Gerrard, Gattuso, Carrick and Xavi who were obviously top players with mixed success in management, at best. Then you also have Scaloni, Iraola and Espirito Santo who have had relative success despite very middling playing careers (although all three were Football Manager legends at some point!) Alonso earned his stripes as manager not because of his playing career, but because of what he did with Leverkusen. Same as Vincent Kompany. Their reputations as players are nice for social media clips but they are only of value because they proved themselves as managers first.

But did we get a clause making his inclusion mandatory when they play us?

It's more their tactics at attacking corners that have been concerining. The league is supposedly clamping down on it. So far they have resorted to short corners as a result, it's 2019 all over again.

This is needless doomerism. It's been three games and Estevao is coming off a major overuse injury. The world does not need yet another Christian Pulisic, Ansu Fati, Jadon Sancho etc who are mentally and physically busted before the age of 24. For the sake of the team, Alonso also has to juggle between allowing players to build momentum, getting results, and getting players match-fit and ready to peak for the mid-season.

Interested to see all the post summer transfer spend summaries once the window closes. Feels like a massive summer, with so many of the transfers between PL sides. Wonder how that impacts foreign leagues (if true compared to prior years) given the dependence on lucrative PL sales. This net spend info is from yesterday, so likely before Barcola or Spurs splashing out on Tosin - so lots will change. 1) Liverpool -£173M 2) Spurs -£168M 3) Ipswich -£156M 4) Arsenal -£155M 5) Coventry -£123M 6) Chelsea -£114M........ 20) Villa +£123M

Good luck to him. I can see him meandering around the Italian countryside in pastel shade clothing. Should be good for his nerves and a good move for him.

If he does well he won’t be coming back. They have a £75 million option on him which will be a snip based on where prices are going. Never rated him but I’d still rather he went to any other club than them.

The sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what has Mudryk ever done for us?

I’m not worried about Estevao at all. He’ll get plenty of game time and is genuine competition for Palmer and Rogers. If he’s good enough he will play.

Camara alone is fine.

I still have a feeling that, should we get such money for Enzo, we are going to get Adam Wharton. Unlike Bournemouth I don't think Palace turn down a huge offer.

LOL cannot be true. Too good to be true. Mind you is just a buy option I guess.

Have to think they’d reject any offer at this point unless it’s obscene money (150M). His value isn’t going to drop - and just needs time to regain match speed after the injury.

He's been injured for too long, we need to have patience with him.

Let play devil’s advocate; you get £140m for Enzo from City tomorrow, and you pay £65m for Camara and Kone £75m for Kone?

Weren’t they asking for £20m 😂

We’d be f**king stupid not to be jumping at that. Value for moneywise, the worst value signing of the BlueCo era. To recuperate anything is a huge win for us.