MC11

I hope the holding back of transfer funds is explained in the summer. Signing an injured player on loan was always risky and the inevitable happened - Lukaku got injured.

When we signed him his career at the top level was coming to an end. We got a transfer fee for him which was good. Other than that I think he was just a squad filler because of the lack of funds available.

By that wording you have to expect a 6-8 week lay off IMO. The signing and the sale of Jelavic has backfired in my opinion.

With Barry and McCarthy in the same side I think we lack an extra body in the final third. I can't make my mind up on him. He works hard, plays simple balls here and there but there's no creativity or goal threat. I don't dislike him I'm just trying to see the benefit of the two defensive minded players when we are going forward. If he had a goal in his locker or better vision he'd be all there but I personally don't ever see him gaining either of those skills. Sometimes I just see him as the spare man.

He has improved the brand of football in the sense that we now move the ball across the back four rather than 50% of the time going direct. However it's just plain fact that he hasn't taken us to the next level just yet. It is the same scenario as last season. We have fallen away from the top 4. We will have to wait till the end of the season to make a proper judgement on things.

Sometimes you get enough of a view to make an early judgement on someone and I was very very disappointed. I was expecting a really top end player. When a top player has been out for months they still have their basic technique and ball control it's usually just fitness that's lacking and being a bit rusty here and there. This lad had nothing. Seriously I think the goal was a fluke as well Do you honestly sit in the top balcony?

Here's some logic... Traore didn't even look half the player of Barkley v Chelsea.

Kid? You're 20. Serious question mate and not trying to be offensive. Do you wear glasses and sit in the top balcony? I've never seen a player come in with such an inability to trap a ball ever go on to be a decent player. Never mind in 5 months. He a write off. Straqmk2

Ahh I see you reduce the games to 5 and use the Europa league. It's the premiership we're talking about here and 20 points from a possible 27 isn't too bad going.

It's easy. The ability to spot a decent player and a shite one.

If this injury is a hamstring reaccurance I doubt he'll put the shirt on again. We'd be silly to keep hold of him.

Well from the beginning I was watching him like a hawk to see if he was any good. All he did was spit all over the place.

I noticed all he seemed to do was Goz all over the pitch.

Before their defeat. They had taken 20 points from 24. (League games)Thats very good form up against our 8 points from 24.

There is no way on earth Rogers will be selling the lad anytime soon. He's going to save face and try and get him playing because of the money he spent on him. I wouldn't want him here anyway.

From what I seen of the lad against Swansea he's stealing a living. Injured again? Batshuayi was available for £7.5m a relatively small punt IMO. Yes he stated he wanted to remain at Liege for the rest of the season but money talks and he could have doubled his wages here.

We need to forget about these big lumps upfront. We need a nippy, clinical one on one striker who can make his own goals with runs in behind or turning defenders. Lukaku is a static target who forever has his back to goal. He's going to be a fantastic CF one day but I don't think he's what we need. We need someone with good technique and skill. I know I am asking a lot and they dont come cheap but that really is the description of what this side needs. Of the Di Natalie mould but younger of course. There is always the option to have a lump on the bench.

We played some great football under Moyes. It's a complete myth that we were just hoofball specialists. Last season our built up play was very good at times.

I understand it completely. You would accept a mid table finish for possession based football and you'd congratulate the team for doing so. Well I'd rather watch direct football and actually finish higher in the table, it's all about success for me and tikka taka can be very boring if you aren't getting wins.

That is one of the worst comments I've read in a while. Accepting a mid table finish to see good passing football. Not for me. If you want the benefits from the nice football you have to put the ball in the back of the net. Of late we have looked toothless at times.

£12m signing Daniel Sturridge. 18 goals in 19 games.

Just states everything we knew. He's not going to be put up for sale.

Jelavic never got a chance under Martinez. The first 3 games were poor but it was a breaking in period. It wasn't for the want of his trying things just wernt going for him. I think it was a big mistake letting him go and not replacing will a permanent striker.

7th will be a very very disappointing position considering our standing at the end of December. United team last night looked very balanced on paper and they turned a shite game into a win against a team that we drew 0-0 with. They have players in attacking positions that can each win a game on their own. Spurs have taken 20 points from their last 24 available in the league. They've only been beat by City in their last 8 outings. That's very very strong form. We have taken 8 points from 24. Not hard to do the maths.

I think United will march on now. Their team looked very balanced yesterday. Spurs are rolling teams over, liverpool are too good going forward. That leaves us in 7th. Shite season if we don't get the cup.