Hus

Busy googling synonyms for "inherited" and "monitoring".

Absolutely, you're right it may have impacted Gravs development (in terms of his role in the team and general confidence) but he would have been a great option to have available, to cover both Grav and Macca.

Agree - they do it on purpose, after that precious engagement. My main gripe is the contract renewals, I definitely think that parts of the squad are in need of reinforcements but there is also an argument to be made that (as Hassony has just alluded to in his post) we're not running as much as under Klopp so hopefully there should be more in the tank as we approach the end of the season. But that's based on all our players staying fit and as we know a few of ours do not have the best track record in that department. At the very least I would have liked to see an additional player in midfield, someone to ease the strain and rotate with Grav, especially as the jury is out on Slot and Endo.

I see Rich has been on the phone.....again Will someone please get him an "I hired Arne Slot" badge, maybe then he'll sort out these contract situations?

Decent cameo tonight hopefully he can make a difference in the 2nd half of the season.

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Signing players is one thing...at this point in time it's all about retaining them.

Sigh...can Hughes get anything done?

Not that I recall - but I did wonder why more clubs weren't interested in him.

Agree, think he would be ideal. Can play multiple positions and has a decent goal threat, his set piece delivery is also good.

Game of the day on Sky for anyone who wants to watch it again or catch up.

Don't worry he'll be reminding us in an article soon enough.

Looks like Rich has been on the phone, there's an article from Joyce. NEW: The sporting director, Richard Hughes, will already be assessing left back options, primarily as Andrew Robertson will soon turn 31, with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez among those being considered. [@_pauljoyce] There is also mention of both Elliott and Diaz contracts having only 2 years left in the summer.

The fax from Hughes should be arriving any minute now

Agree - was a while back but their have been others. They have a track record of refusing to sanction purchases when we have been in need. Re Trent, yes of course we're doing very well at the moment and exceeding expectations (with Slot I mean) but it's not about this season or the next, it's the ones after that and beyond. Look how difficult it appears to be to get Mo and Virgil sorted, and they want to stay. I'm hoping next season won't be an issue but with the way these contract sagas are dragging on...there could a huge turnover of players and I have little or no faith in Hughes delivering, tbf most would struggle.