All the Germans

No, I certainly do not admit that and I'm not completely sure how you came to that conclusion, other than trying to put words in my mouth. I fully agree that form and ability are separate - that was my point. My assessment is that he's a decent - but not regular Premier League level - player, that had some good form in that season, which, is above his natural level. This is just my opinion, and one I have held even during his purple patch in the Premier League. I find it strange that you single out my statement that he's a decent footballer that will make a decent living out of the game but not at the Premier League level, as the one you want to address when others are much harsher?

Have they made any comments about him recently or are you just referring to what they said a couple of years ago when he had some good form? (However, you are right; I don't particularly give any stock to what they say anyway).

I've never been as certain of this as some. Physically, he is not up to it - not big, not strong and very slow. To get away with this in the Premier League, you have to be special, and he isn't. His technique, I'd describe as adequate, his first touch and control is at the poorer end of the scale. That's not to say he is awful, I'm just not convinced he has any additional potential, and think he peaked a couple of years ago. I expect that he'll make a (good) living out of football, but doubt he would ever be a regular at a Premier League team in the future.

Daniel Farke. Absolutely no competition what-so-ever. Bond was before I was born, Brown was before I was interested in football and [the later part of ]Stringer [when I was old enough to follow] and Walker was very good, but nothing has felt like Farke for me, which, was just special. I'm still gutted about him not being here.

I like the principle of VAR and hope it stays and improves. However, if you just move the rubbish judgement from the man on the pitch to the rubbish judgement of the man sat in front of a screen, you have barely improved at all. It's not VAR's fault the people reviewing the footage are terrible but you may as well not have it if that is the case.

I agree. Not flip flopping from result to result is more boring than being a sensationalist like Cambridge and changing with the wind. Because it is more boring, it doesn't mean it isn't right. Wagner has made a brilliant start and I think he will be better than Smith (not particularly hard to be honest), but I'm reserving judgement in the same way that I would if we had lost today, one swallow does not make a summer. I also won't jump on his back like certain people will after a couple of poor results. PS, I strongly disagree that waiting more than two games (one of which we lost) is "excessively cautious".

Whilst I think you will ultimately be correct, I think based upon two games it's far too early to say he is vastly superior? My big gripe with football in general is fans flip flop from game to game from amazing to terrible, with nothing in between. Wagner looks really promising and the bar isn't exactly high from Smith, but to say it's clear, based upon such little evidence, is a stretch. It will be clear in 5-10 games when we (hopefully) have continued how we have started.

Local lad, through the youth team, creative and attacking player; in theory I should love him, but in theory communism works. I can't put my finger on why, but I just think he's a bit of a pr*ck and I struggle to warm to him. He's a decent player and fine at Championship level, but his lack of physicality (speed and strength) means you have to be special in technique to go further, and his technique is ok-ish (ropey at times). My feeling is that he thinks he's much better than that and think he is in for a rude awakening. If he gets us a fee, good luck to him and hope he does well for the rest of his career. If he leaves on a free and we don't get anything, I hope he drops like a stone to the national leagues.

Not relevant to him specifically. Disagree. he is good enough for top Championship. I generally agree that he can't be our defensive midfielder, mainly because he doesn't have the discipline to stay there. Based upon today, I'd say he was but it's only one game, if he does the same in the next few, I'll change my mind. Don't be fooled by your own preconceptions. He's good at this level.

Played very well today and has never been as bad as some make out, despite some deficiencies. However, a reasonable concern is; if he is your best central midfielder when you are in the Premier League (he was), you're in trouble (we were). I still think he could play a role in the squad at that level though.

It's a little early to get carried away and make proclamations, but the signs are definitely good. Couldn't have hoped for a better start, from the performance, result or attitude/message from the manager. Keep it up.

I disagree with you both, he's OK. Can do a job definitely but also definitely not "very good".

I both agree an disagree. Nothing personal against him and good luck to him for the future, but he certainly is a disaster transfer, 2.5m (upfront, ignoring anything else) for 4 league goals? For a striker? That's a disaster. He was signed for a "Plan B", which I agree with the principle, the problem is, he's just an awful footballer. Admittedly, I'm not entirely sure who we could have got that would sign knowing they were 2nd to Pukki but it was pretty clear he was rubbish before we signed him and yet we still wasted a significant sum on him. Disaster. I am still shocked how - as a professional athlete - he is blowing out of his @rse within 5 minutes of being on the pitch. Sell for any money what-so-ever.

Yes to both. I don't rate either of them at all. They both have only one positive - Hanley is a beast in the air and Gibson is decent at passing out progressively from the back to start attacks.

I thought that was OK. Didn't particularly want extra fixtures, so an encouraging performance and a loss isn't that bad. I liked the energy and attacking, the way the full backs were pushed forward. Realistically, we should have won that, at least one of our attacks should have been a goal and if Hanley could pass a ball, we'd not have conceded. I also thought Dimi played well and should keep his spot (but I've always thought he was decent, so maybe my own positive prejudice influences that!)

They take Horses, not Donkeys.

You're really blaming this on Wagner? Give me strength.

I think that's my favourite free header / shoulder / back at goal from within the 6 yard box ever.

If Hugill is the answer, the question is wrong.

Ever thought of taking up a new hobby?

That Hanley can't pass a ball?

Hanley not good enough (and never has been). Give him a crossed ball to attack in the air and he's a beast, anything else and he's a liability.

I'm fully aware of that, I was just making a comparison. Still pick Krul for penalties though!

I have a lot of time for Krul, he has been excellent for us, good personality, a leader, but it's a massive backwards step from Gunn with the ball at his feet.

That's the spirit.