Nir Bitton

No laughing matter I'm afraid Bitton, got away with that at the end as we'd definitely have conceded since Gordon doesn't save Pens and dropped 2 points. Like people said also he was in no mans land for Doolan's header. Bitton had his chance and didn't take it, time for Ajer to step in and potentially cement his place alongside Jozo. These games could be the making of him.

I like the way he brings the ball out from the back and pushes forward with it but Ajer does that also.

 

Can we not send him on loan to the Iranian league.

 

Selling Izzy looks even worse now Tierney could have moved in and bitton not even tried at cb its got to be ajer from now on

 

Erik 100% out for Wednesday?

 

He's out for atleast the next 2 months apparently.

 

Yes, out for about 6 weeks.

 

We MIGHT get away with it against Astana but would get * destroyed in the group stages. Bitton needs to get the ball to * when hes playing in defence when the attacker is putting him under pressure or hes going to get caught in possession and we'll get punished.

 

Not back until September 15th.

 

Exactly why we need a CB imo, him and Boyata will be out for some time, yes Bitton and Ajer are capable in the league and cups, but in Europe * that.

 

Don't worry we will get someone.

 

You have been saying Armstrong is signing aswell, I'm starting to think you are a one trick pony i.e. Links.

 

Against a pacy strong striker we could be * bricks for 90 mins on wednesday. I would be tempted to play 3 at the back with Lustig, Simunovic & Tierney. Leaves the flanks a bit exposed though.

 

I'm * off that we're going into the most important match of our season without a proper centre back. You may argue, we've been desperately unlucky with injuries to Erik and Boyata but we've had time to rectify it and bring someone in.

I feel stupid even saying this but Brendan has been a bit naive here. He's got 99.9% right but he's got this wrong IMO.

The striker situation I can understand, with the way we play, we only need 1 striker and LG and Moussa are similar players. Realistically, bringing in a quality forward to sit on the bench and play second fiddle to them two is very hard.

But, hopefully, we'll dominate the ball and protect our back line we'll. If Bitton plays a defence splitting pass, like he did v Hearts at CP we'll say it was a masterstoke!

 

He was photographed with crutches two days ago

 

I mustve been watching a different game i thought bitton looked solid as last night

 

Sooooo maybe?

 

You must of mate. He was terrible - Astana will test him harder on Wednesday too. Very nervy times

 

It takes time for new cb to settle. Bringing someone in a throwing them I could be worse along with the fact we're not gonna just buy someone in a week or two it takes time to make the right decisions and bring someone in. I think Asher is a solid player while somewhat inexperienced I still think he can do the job. I'm certain we're looking into cb options but none of this happens overnight