yemmik

The slow pace of the game and of the players plus the conservative defense makes Serie A a tough watch for me. It leans boring and even the good teams let the lower clubs hang around by playing for 1-0 wins.

Agree here. Credit the EPL for getting a great TV deal and having an easier sell of an English-language league abroad, but it's more fun to me with the other leagues are not so top heavy and have teams that can really compete internationally. It's competitive for the UCL title, but the PL has taken the Europa and Conference league two years running without much stress.

That rounds out a disappoint set of three this season. Haven't liked the black kits the last three years. Liked the away last year with the green and orange stripes over cream, and the away two years back that was mostly cream colored. My fave is 03-04 with the black and blue stripes down the middle of the white shirt. Like the one that's my avatar and the Green-blue from 3 years back as well. But it seems we did better in the 00s and 10s with away and change strips.

He could use a loan to nearly anywhere to play regularly and get some positive feelings. Hull City? Strousburg?

Maybe a loan lets him play and restore value before we can move him along. Had high hopes for him, but between health and physicality issues, it's not been an auspicious start.

They can have interesting pairing at CB such as Hato-Colwill-Lacroix, Colwill-Lacroix-James/Acheampong. Eventually, Chevarria seems earmarked for LWB/LM and I wonder if you see Neto pop up there too unless he leaves. Neto could also be in the RWB/LM mix with Palestra, James, Acheampong. Obviously, Gusto could play either side, but I've got a feeling they cash out on him if possible to fund everything else that's going on.

I'd missed that Cuevas was re-assigned. Agree with @Sconnie Blue about McPhee helping Villa score the set number of set-piece goals as Arsenal with finding space rather than punching in the face.

Straight swap for Gittens, who says no?

I, too, want to believe in Penders. Not sure why. Guess it's the hope that kills you.