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I must say if all the players not getting game time Tzolis is the one that worries/baffles me most. This is a guy playing regularly international snd Europa league football before he joined us. He makes stuff happen when he plays. It worries me he’s getting shut out and I can’t see him being too up for championship football either. We need to get him onto the pitch more often.

Good posts from horsefly and sonyc. I have followed politics since the mid-1950s, and what you have now in the UK is unprecedented. Until very recently Johnson would never have got near 10 Downing Street. His fellow Tories wouldn’t have allowed the electorate to have a chance of choosing someone so totally unfit for the job. And his opinion poll ratings now would have mystified them. There have been many analyses of why this is, but it struck me that the current craziness is encapsulated in the ‘levelling up’ policy, in three ways. Firstly, it is presented as if the Tories have been out of power until Johnson became PM, rather than it now being 11 years of Tory rule, during which time Cameron or May or even Johnson early on could have started implementing the policy. The reality is that it was the austerity drive of Cameron and Osborne that exacerbated the economic divisions already existing in society for which levelling up is now painted as the panacea. Secondly, as others have pointed out, this policy, far from being part of an economic strategy, was suddenly dreamed up in desperation not just as the solution to the catastrophic - and widely predicted - consequences of Brexit but also to have all along been the real argument for leaving the EU. A lie about a lie. Thirdly, even if one ignores both the above absurdities, to implement such a far-reaching shift in the economy of a country requires a steadfast and hard-working prime minister and a cabinet of all the talents. Which the UK very much does not have. This is the worst and least talented government since world war two. And yet I have read articles taking this Potemkin policy seriously, arguing that Johnson has stolen a march on Labour because the people want economic change, and this appeals to them, despite all the absurdities listed above. It will not happen and anyone who has been following Johnson’s career should know it will never happen, but it seems many voters are still baffled by empty slogans and boosterism into trusting the completely untrustworthy.

A healthy breakfast enjoyed up in Cumbria this morning.

I know this will be ignored, but could I suggest that from now on this thread is limited to general questions that affect at least a reasonable number of fans, or specific issues posters have come across that equally affect a reasonable number of fans. Amusing as some of the above exchanges they are too particular and personal to be of any wider relevance; and I doubt Wolfie et al find it fun to wade through them to get to posts they really need to see.

Excellent post, with which I fully agree. I also think it gives me a good excuse to return to one of my hobby horses which has had quite a few outings already but I think is relevant here It clearly is an absolute prerequisite that Labour unites around a centre-left agenda for them to have any electoral success. But given our dysfunctional electoral system and the ways our politics have fragmented since Labour last won an election, I don't think there is any chance whatsoever of Labour winning an overall majority at the next election, not even if Keir Starmer walks on water next week. But what is definitely possible, indeed very likely is that an opposition alliance with a centre left platform could defeat the Tories and probably quite heavily because as we've seen before the Tories would be extremely vulnerable in many constituencies if they were only facing a single opponent rather than a 2 or even 3-way split.

Agree with this FZ. It feels as if Farke has been to trying to deal with a specific issue (defence of course) and getting that solid and will graduate the playing 'dynamics' of our midfield and attack. It is as if he is starting the season now in earnest (having had virtually a new team to integrate following such a truncated pre-season). I believe his comments yesterday on Dowell (in relation to the Cantwell question) give us a little glimpse. We might be seeing more of him. I'm expecting too to see more of Gilmour and maybe Sargent more interchangable with Rashica or Tzolis soon. Interesting times and luckily, despite our start we are still within touching distance of safer ground. It makes for quite a fascinating campaign actually as we see a coach under such pressure try and navigate out of it. Whether we are depressed about our start or not (of course we all are) it still holds a lot of interest, We actually are watching an emergence of strategy and the coaching taking place. As supporters it's still important to have patience and perspective. Yesterday we watched a very expensive Man Utd team lose 4-2 and a Watford team absolutely steamrollered by Liverpool. Then we saw how a team coached by the 'god' that is Bielsa really struggle against a lowly Southampton team. There remains much room for hope and some green shoots.

You would hope that the call for less divisive rhetoric after the murder of another MP would be heeded by the press, but no, straight away carrying on in the same vein. IPSO ain't no regulator.

It's pretty much a repeat of the 1980s. Labour infiltrated by the far left elect a leader who completely alienates the voters it needs most to win over (only this time the infiltrators, Momentum, are far posher than Militant Tendency). In the meantime the people Labour is supposed to represent found themselves royally screwed over, while the far left congratulated themselves on their ideological purity. As a result Thatcher, among other things, was able to sell off vast quantities of the social housing that we are now so desperate for but shall never recover, and introduce privatisation into key areas of the NHS. Corbyn was a godsend for Johnson, just as Foot was for Thatcher. The fact that Corbyn also made the utterly insane decision to allow Johnson a general election when he had absolutely no need to do so has left Labour with a mountain to climb. I get the feeling Starmer is going to find himself playing Kinnock's role of reconnecting Labour to the interests of natural Labour voters and away from the far left ideologues dominating much of the constituency party membership. Hopefully the transition of Labour back to the centre-left ground on which it has won in the past will be quicker this time round. Whatever one thinks of Thatcher there can we no doubt she was an exceptionally shrewd political operator, whereas Johnson is demonstrably bereft of the intelligence or political will that Thatcher displayed. If Labour get this right we could see a very rapid change in public support as the sh*it storm that currently envelops the country worsens through the coming months, and Johnson's appalling incompetence, indifference, and dishonesty become increasing exposed. That scenario, of course, rests on a very big IF. The current evidence suggests that Johnson is able to get away with quite catastrophic levels of incompetence and failure, not to mention astounding levels of corruption and unethical behaviour; thus it is not enough for Labour to think the public will at some point see through his fraudulent reign. The party needs to unite behind a centre-left agenda that convinces the public that they can trust them to act in their best interests, and does not exist solely to serve the interests of far-left party members. I can't say I'm massively hopeful that the far-left will tuck away their ideological yearnings for the sake of the interests of the working population they claim to support. However, at the time I thought Kinnock's task of retrieving Labour for the ordinary working person was virtually impossible, and ulimately it lead to 13 years of Labour government. And let me conclude by reminding those Labour Party members critical of Blair and Brown that they helped transform the lot of huge numbers of ordinary working people by investing record levels of money into education, health and the transition out of poverty. Those people, indeed, who give the Labour Party its very raison d'etre.

I'll definitely be voting tactically next time, but tactical voting is very much the sign that our electoral model is not fit for purpose.

I'd back DF as having the right credentials to know the best way to manage a young talent like Tzolis.

Is this serious? Radio Norfolk mentioned there were two polarising opinions about Sargent which surprised me but now are we really trying to compare Sargent with Hugill? Are some that sad that they’re holding that miss against him in such an angry way?? I was pleased to stay in the ground after the whistle and applaud the team off the pitch. Even more pleasing was that everyone around me was shouting support to Josh as he came off. “Well played Josh” “It’s coming Josh, keep going” “great game” just some of the comments I heard (and joined in with) and Josh came over and thanked us for the support. Was a moment that restored my faith in the fans, particularly after sitting behind an absolute bell*** who criticised everything throughout the whole match.

I have absolutely no idea what you're on about, you talk the biggest load of b0ll0x. I really feel sorry for the poor person at the club who has to answer this nonsense.

It takes time to bed in some new players. Emi didn’t feature immediately, took about 6 games for his first start. Also that was in the championship. We’re now trying to introduce a young, raw attacking midfielder into a PL team that has been haemorrhaging goals. Sort defence first, then bring in the creativity at the other end. I don’t think there’s anything to panic about with Tzolis.

Meanwhile .. nothing like take back control eh?

Hope they get relegated to be honest

We haven’t tried 4-2-3-1 in the PL except all the time when we last in the PL. The problem I have debating with you is that you seem to think it’s all so black and white and it feels like you won’t concede you’re wrong about anything. ”The defensive issues in the wide areas were entirely caused by the switch to 4-3-3”. That’s simply not true, we had massive defensive issues last time in the PL and massive defensive issues in our first promotion season under Farke - when we played exclusively 4-2-3-1. This was addressed last season and in the championship we had the players (Skipp) to play an effective system that allowed our full backs to get forward with adequate cover for the defence. Farke has shown he learns from mistakes and this seasons changes are as a result of last time we were in the PL and the defensive issues we faced then. I’m not saying 4-2-3-1 can’t work, of course it can but do we have the players good enough to execute it and get way with sloppy mistakes? Are we a club able to get the players good enough? (Is Skipp good enough for the PL - Spurs fans and pundits I listen to say No, not yet). You talk about width and the lack of it a 4-3-3. The full backs give us the width, it has always been the same under Farke. Buendia and Cantwell were allowed to play inside looking for this balls to Pukki and to support in attack. Ironically, for your argument, the no10 has always been the issue for us (particularly in the PL). Vrancic not suited to it, Stiepermann great in the championship but ineffective in the PL and others given a go (McLean, Leitner) but with similarly poor results. The effective moves and through balls came from the full backs and Emi/Todd playing more centrally thus negating the need for an out and out no10. Our last truly effective and essential no10 was Wes. “Players don't generally have only one position they can play in. Midfielders in particular tend to be quit versatile. Saying that someone who plays central midfield couldn't play in defensive midfield is frankly nonsense.” - disagree. It’s about discipline and the reading of the game. Tettey was fantastic at being in the right place at the right time, protecting the back 4. Trybull, although tried in that position was simply not as well suited to it. He liked to get forward more and just wasn’t as tactically aware. PLM dropping into a back 4 where the full backs are more than likely still running back is not even comparable to a back 3 of actual defenders, and a back 5 in all likelihood unless caught on the counter. For the championship (or if we had a better overall standard of player) yes, with our style of play (like Brighton) in the PL, no. Yesterday wasn’t the finished product (that so many seem to expect immediately) but was an indication of what’s to come. The huge positive is that those attacking players are ready and waiting to be added to what is now a solid defensive base. That’s exciting to me and not the negative that is all over this forum.

Maybe Peter The Deleter could add another sub forum to run alongside Non Football called Essex Canary.

I didn't see the team sheet until after I arrived at the ground today and my first thoughts were that it looked a bit safety first and Hughtonesque, but my spirits were raised when we won the toss and decided to kick what I always insist is the "Proper Way", ie River End second half. Historically I reckon it has always served us best. It was rather disappointing once again to see the visitors dominating the opening exchanges with City barely able to get a touch of the ball and apart from one long ball up to Sargent the ball was rarely out of the home area in the first ten minutes. Unfortunately the Brighton defence was able to snuff out the danger before he could pull the trigger. Just before the quarter hour however there was a decent spell down the left and this time Sargent did get an effort infrom the edge of the box which was deflected for a corner. The game became more even for a time with both sides trading corners which came to nothing. High balls into the box seemed a wasteful exercise with a couple of real giants in the visitors back line. After a lull Brighton again got on the front foot and a goal looked certain when City failed to clear their area and Krul had to make two exellent parries from close range before the ball was hoofed clear. Then minutes later and still under pressure, a deflected ball seemed to bouce nicely for Maupay as he got in front of Hanley. He went to take the ball wide of the advancing Krul and from my position above and to the right of goal it did look like he was clipped but he certainly dived theatrically. Now I haven't seen the VAR but I was relieved and a bit surprised that it wasn't a penalty. From here on I was just hoping we could make it to halftime without conceeding because we were definitely second best for most of the first forty five. Right on the stroke of halftime however City should have gone in front. After exerting a little bit of pressure Brighton were looking to clear but good work by Sargent caused a mistake and he emerged with the ball between the goalkeeper and a defender and simply had to stroke the ball into any empty net. It was on target but with nowhere near enough power behind it and it was easily hooked away. It was a golden chance but on balance all square was a better reflection of the play than seemed likely earier. From the whistle City began to get a bit more of the ball and a few minutes in they broke at speed down the centre. Pukki's ball inside to Sargent looked perfect and I was half out of my seat only to sit down sharply as Sargent's awful first touch ruined what should have been a great opening. From here on it was hard graft as play swung from end to end. Brighton still had plenty of the ball but City looked resolute at the back so chances were at a premium. Normann showed up with a couple of lovely long passes out to the wings but neither side could get anything clear cut on goal. Gibson banged a twenty-five yarder but Sanchez always looked favourite. Rashica came on for Sargent with fifteen minutes left and as we moved into the last ten he latched on to Normanns pass and sent Pukki away on goal only for a Brighton defender to get in a fantastic block just as the City "Main Man" went to pull the trigger. City were certainly worth a point but they nearly lost it when Maupay finally got some space but somehow scooped the ball over the top. In the end just a point and probably a fair result, however Sargent will likely be replaying that moment in his mind well into the early hours. Pukki, very sharp today, just a shame the two best chances didn't fall his way. Lees-Malou, best game so far, Normann, exellent but I'm giving my MOM to Grant Hanley. Stuck Maupay on his **** a few times and generally was a rock in the middle. Onward and upward.

Daily Express Headline: Merkel outrage as Germany 'sourcing gas destined for UK' after plunging Europe into crisis And here's the one line in the article that shows the headline is nothing more than xenophobic bating: "The energy expert said: "Germany is having to source gas from elsewhere, so it's adding to the demand pressures on gas that is also, potentially, destined for the UK." So, from the headline misquote, "sourcing gas destined for the UK", we get to the genuine quote, "...potentially, destined for the UK". In other words, gas NOT destined for the UK. Dreadful, hateful journalsim in every respect.

You’re dreaming if you think this season’s squad is better than last. We sold our best player, lost our second best player (Skipp) and brought in mostly journeymen to replace them. The results are there for anyone to see.

This- we struck lucky with Pukki and Buendia- and in fairness have done well developing talent. But in terms of first team signings - Webber had an absolute stinker last Prem campaign and it’s looking like it’s all wrong this time too- overall a very poor return for the money spent. We are worse than we were last season having splashed cash

"Farke doesn't have a Plan B!" "Our attacking brand of football doesn't work at this level against superior teams!" "Why aren't we Sheffield United?!" *Change of tactics to stem the flood of goals conceded* "Why aren't we playing our attacking brand of football?!" "How can we expect to win games when we can't score?!" "Why aren't we Brentford?!" I don't know much about football, but I know a couple of things. One is that shipping 40 odd goals in 16 games is not a recipe for taking points, and another is that it takes a lot of time for substantial changes to tactics and personnel to translate into results and performances. The balance still isn't quite right, but had you offered me two clean sheets after the Watford game I wouldn't have said no that's for sure. We've got to be a bit more pragmatic at this level, and I do believe we are slowly making progress towards being more competitive against the very best.

I really don’t understand the negativity. Can some really not see what Farke is doing, and has been doing for the last year or so? Last season in the championship was a definite target on being better defensively. We played to our strengths with the formation and bossed the league. This season is a continuation of trying to be tough to beat. The 4-3-3 was to suit the midfielders we had (and which we quickly realised wasn’t enough/or we were just being patient and waiting for our man) and now, to stop the rot, the system has changed and we’ve stopped the sloppy goals that were all too regular in the first games. Farke can’t win - he doesn’t change it and he’s naive, he changes it and we should’ve stuck to ‘our’ formation. Today was far from perfect BUT there’s clear improvement. Chances were made, we grew in confidence and were playing some good stuff. Had Sargent scored one of his chances we’d be talking of a really good overall performance. So I’m not ecstatic but satisfied because I can see what’s being tried. We were the laughing stock of the league and sooo easy to play against. That some fans expect us to just be able to flip that on it’s head and be defensively solid and score goals, is baffling. It will take a bit of time but the goals will come. They should have today (which is a big improvement on the previous game) but that they didn’t and we didn’t lose is still a massive improvement. OTBC

I never said a ‘lot’. But can you not see the focus has been getting the back line right? The demand from some fans for immediate success is just detached from reality. Those first few games we played Rashica, Cantwell in a formation that failed miserably. It can be argued Tzolis could have played in place of one of those for one of those games but the end result would more than likely have been the same due to the massive defensive issues. Since then the focus has been defensive solidity and using our two strikers on the break and with longer balls upfield. Those attacking players won’t be so easy to fit into that system and so haven’t got as much time on the pitch. It’s resulted in two draws and clean sheets. If our attacking line up continues to solely consist of Pukki and Sargent then yes, questions will need answering. If we had created nothing yesterday that I could almost understand the negativity. But taken in context I can fully understand why we went with the 3 in midfield and Sargent/Pukki up top for the last 2 games. This is just another example of ‘football manager’ fan opinion. Success is just a few clicks away. Thankfully Farkes in charge and he’s building something in the real world. His record of bringing new players, and young new players at that, through to the first team (not to mention this is the PL rather than the much easier championship) has been pretty exemplary and until there’s an obvious time when Tzolis should have at least been tried, we should all just trust and wait.

I do not understand what bedding in is. Talent over tactics when you are as poor as us at the moment. The boy has played enough football to know what to do. I am bemused with all the spouting about bedding in. Scaring the carp out of defenders suits me over whether he covers for his fullback like the flipcharts say he should.

"you're getting sacked in the morning" ringing out, shot pans to Bruce with a smug look of "I'm getting £8million in the morning" 😁

Gove ate all the pies.😀

Honestly would love to see a poll. Why? Beacause I guarantee the result would be around 90 percent positive towards Delia and want her to stay.

But not how they wanted them, in groups, heated seats, bit of acknowledgment of how important they are, you know the kinda thing people can get used to. Oh, and an apology.

Me too. If your system is so flawed you have to rip it up and start again 5 games in thats a coaching problem. So I'm not buying the whole 'its a new system, time to gel' excuse because all that is showing is how flawed the coaching has been so far this season. As for Webber, its noticeable we're talking about our top performers being PLM, Normann and Kabak, all players he recruited this summer. I think he's done his job of improving the squad. Farke hasn't done his thus far.

Neither are Dms that will just sit in front of the back 4 and with the attributes they have, we wouldn’t want them to do that. Normann was fantastic yesterday and was everywhere (no surprise he cramped up and couldn’t last the 90). Disciplined when we were set as a 5-3-2 but also pressing them high before transition and played some lovely balls over the top to the strikers. One cross field ball to Aaron’s in the second half really was another level. Not a DM in front of a back 4. PLM, I agree had his best game and has a knack of getting his long dangly legs to the ball to knick the ball off the opposition. Made a few mistakes but was always eager to rectify and was full of running. Supported the attack well and will be useful around the penalty area. Not a DM in front of a back 4. What the 3 at the back gave was the extra cover whilst also allowing one of them to step out of defence at times knowing the other 2 are there (and also at least one of Normann/McLean/PLM). Something else that I don’t think has been mentioned enough about yesterday is how good Kabak looks with the ball and stepping out of defence. This happened on enough occasions to clearly be a coached game plan and I look forward to seeing more of it. It shows there are attacking plans and intent and that the formation is not simply about defence. Playing a back 4 caused all sorts of problems on the flanks (particularly our left side) which became all too easy for the opposition to exploit (Woeful Watford knew how to beat us). The 2 sitting wouldn’t solve that. The solution would have to be that the full backs sit deeper which in turn stifles attacks. We have found a workable solution to that problem whilst hinting at some joy in attack. I know I’m in the minority but there were a lot of positives yesterday and am happy to see the formation continue. The defence is as sorted as it can be (with more training and playing together only going to further help) so now the focus can be more on how we counter and attack to get some goals.

I've just taken a section of your long and thoughtful post Horsefly in order to respond. I too sense that Starmer might play a Kinnock role (which means electoral defeat next time for him - I guess a possible leadership change thereafter. Burnham is playing the longer game). Interesting comments about Thatcher too in comparison to Johnson. The latter is in his early populist phase it appears - his use of 3 word slogans, his so-called levelling up agenda and public spending announcements - many of which will not come to fruition of course because change is structural and far more long term - he can only see being in power again as his horizon. Many studies of populism see 4 or even 5 distinct phases - from a kind of euphoria to collapse, at which point so often the incomes of the middle and working classes are lower than they were when the populist movement and project began (an experiment it might be called). Populism appeals to many voters who want their politics simplified. There is a wide disinterest for education about politics and the bigger picture. Hence, spiv's like Johnson (let's make no bones about it, that's what he is) jump in to the vacuum. Speaking of vacuums, I've posted below an article that provides a picture of modern-day France (a really well-written piece of journalism) and what is happening on our doorstep (yes, we ought to be very interested in our nearest neighbours) and the complexities that are playing out in the next French presidential election. It's a good description of how a political system can be torn apart, be it Macron's 'neither left nor right' or the far-right's Zemmour with his 3 'i's' (immigration, identity and Islam). A fascinating watch and I think there are lessons for the UK, even taking into account the differences in electoral system. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/17/macron-and-the-french-trump-trap-gaullisms-heirs-in-a-political-vice?

Get new owners in who will adequately invest seems a much more sensible answer

I've met "Norwich Fans" who did not want us to go up and still want us to go down. I've met Norwich fans who did not renew their season tickets in the past when we went up and said they would renew again once back in the second tier. I'm in a job where I meet a lot of local people and therefore Norwich City fans and all too often there are those that do not want EPL football. I can understand preferring The Championship as a spectacle, but wanting the club you support not to go up/go down is beyond comprehension. Then again, should we be surprised? Delia has made her views on the EPL perfectly clear - remember the infamous Times piece in 2016 - and my spouse worked at CR a few years back and it in her opinion there was not the desire for EPL football - maybe because it exposed their financial limitations? My view is is the 'Deliaisation' of the club has got a certain section of the fanbase - it's debatable how much - into her parochial nonsense and accepting second best all too often. This season looks like another brief flirtation with the EPL and back into the comfort zone of The Championship which will please some - they do exist - because I've met some of them.

Your comment would have purchase if it wasn't for the fact that we created 3 very clear cut chances. That's where the goals will come from if and when when our striking players find their shooting boots.

Nobody is taking about 'blowing teams away', but we live in a results business and Farke doesn't get results at the top level. That is not an opinion, that is a fact. He hasn't and isn't 'evolving' the squad, he's almost starting again and lost all momentum from the previous season. All the evidence so far suggests that we will get the worst top flight points total in our history and the worst goals total in our history. I said at the start of the season that I couldn't see where the goals are going to come from and so far I'm right. Five at the back is fine against Chelsea, but not at home against Brighton. Farke picked at team not to lose, so it that sense he got it right - but we want a team to win. And we need to win games like these to stay in the EPL, though that will not be of interest to some of our fanbase and our hapless majority shareholders. I want Norwich City to stay in the EPL and anyone who shares that view has every right to be critical of the club.

Sargent had a poor goal scoring record in Germany and yesterday showed why. He may be a useful player to have around due to his workfare etc but he is not going to score enough goals at this level to justify being one of only two attacking players in the side.

And since the Watford game we have fully integrated Normann and moved to 3 center backs... what's in the past is in the past.

I said it once I’ll say it again, experts believe in 5 years time you’ll never be 2 metres away from an ex Watford manager 😁

If we want to dream aboute staying up then Cantwell have to be inn the team. He and Max is the 2 best players in the team in my opinion.

Did you pick it then?

Like how McLean has. No ability but plays every game.

The BBC write up suggests that if we can’t score against an under par Brighton we are heading only one way. It’s hard to disagree. We spurn chances when they come and don’t create enough when they don’t. It’s not pretty. 1 goal in open play is beyond poor - it’s embarrassing

Hi I've just made an account. How do you block users?

Weren’t we playing 4-2-3-1 while being repeatedly spanked last season in the Prem?

Starmer will do as he is told by Blair, Mandelson and those that pull his strings in the security services. He offers nothing than the status quo and will rather align himself with the Tories than to ever realise that his rejection of the centre left, many who are not paying membership anymore and have left, is what is needed to enact a different agenda to the Tories. To be honest, I can't see him changing his support rule for those in Government who failed, even if he says nothing and waits until the Tories peed off the EU so much that they shut the channel ports, which would be enough to bring chaos here within a week.

What exactly am I making up? I was at the game yesterday and we played a very direct style which is the complete opposite of the possession based football that Farke has favoured in every other season he’s been in charge. We had 35% possession. At home. Sensible debate means you listen to other people’s option and don’t just dismiss them because it’s not what you want to hear.

Do you think? Caught out of position so often and very nearly cost us a goal (again) today. And I can't recall any major contributions up the pitch either. I'd love to know what he does in training to have earned this right he has.

After Normann he was our best performer out there today. Agree he should have buried that chance and also the one when Pukki slipped him in. But Pukki was guilty of hesitating on a couple of occasions also. Its what you get when you're a side trying to get a foothold in the toughest league in football and the lack of confidence is evident from all the players in the attacking third. Small shoots of progress though. At least we're making the chances.Feel we are not far away from where we want to be.I know its difficult to keep the faith,but its all we have at the moment and we have to believe we'll get there.Chelsea away? Strange things happen.🔰

Exactly - and chuck in the player turnover, and what you're seeing here with Farke is a manager who clearly has an idea that we needed to get the defence sorted out first after conceding 16 in the first six games. And let's face it, two brainfarts against Everton and a rather unlucky one against Arsenal where a handball was missed in the build-up and that could easily have been four 0-0 draws.