England look to me to have a serious shortage of wide players and the only ones lately have been Oxtail-Chamberpot, who is obviously goosed, and maybe Rashford operating in wilf mode. Townsend tends to come inside rather than go to the byline and cross, but ought to be at least an option i the circumstances.

Obviously they should have picked Zaha when they had the chance but hey ho.

============
The Ferret
============

I'm not having a go at him because of his striking abilities as he's an out and out winger. If RH wants to play him up front ... well we're stuck with it! He is such a left sided player it's not funny, it's not gonna cut at international level these days. And I stick by my claim that he can't cross with his right foot! He is effective on some dead ball situations and I'd rather have him take our corners that Cabaye! Again, I don't rate his defending as time and time again he fails to support the fullback in getting back.

"Billy Gilbert really is God"

What's going on with Townsend ?? He was ever present last season and all of a sudden seems to have lost his place in the side. He was awful against Sheff UTD and has been dropped since.

I like him as a player but there are a lot of flaws in his game and he is definitely slowing down. I wonder does Roy now see Schlupp ahead of Townsend ?

Any views ?

And it worryingly says a lot that given the likelihood we will at some point sell Zaha... we seem to have had zero anticipation at ever needing another winger, zero succession planning for 2 wingers now into their mid twenties, zero backup for injuries...

Daniel James was an affordable candidate for us, he very nearly joined Leeds United last year. These players are out there, why don't we pre-empt anything? We certainly didn't have a right-back lined up, we've just resorted to the one we had be AWB came along.

On form he is one of our best. Clearly seems a fine line between firing on all four or not, but our coaching team led by Roy clearly have the eye to know who is on form. Ayew being the current classic example. Andros will be back.

Edited by dreamwaverider (03 Sep 2019 1.55am)

I've taken this to be Roy on a ruthless streak this season.

I think he was a bit p!$$ed off with the summers activity, or lack of, and his general demeanour now seems to be hardened and no nonsense.

I think this might actually bring the best out of him as a manager now, and maybe some of the players.

I would of thought Andros was almost undroppable but now he has been and maybe sends a message to all players that they have to earn their right to be in the starting XI.

Must note - I don't think Andros has played awfully just had a slow start and to echo previous posts will work his way back into the side.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!