Slugger

He was usually our biggest threat even when not scoring. Won lots of freekicks too and carried the ball forward at pace which allowed other players into the game. Redmond is a good signing, without question, but lets not pretend Mane was some sort of in and out player for us. Do you remember him bossing Chelsea and Arsenal (til injury) at home in his first season? Scoring the fastest ever PL hattrick? Mugging off Terry and Cahill at Stamford Bridge this season, excellent against Arsenal on Boxing Day, hattrick versus City, matchwinner against Liverpool. Its not like he was a flat track bully, he scared the best defenders in the league. If he did it every week he would be Messi. I certainly can't think of a player from a team below us that was anywhere near his level over the last two seasons.

@rayoherald: El guardameta elegido por el Rayo Vallecano es Paulo Gazzaniga. Llegará cedido por el Southampton. Desde UK nos aseguran que llega mañana". Says he is expected to arrive on loan tomorrow. Not sure how reliable of course but could be why Lewis played 90mins yesterday. Rayo got relegated from La Liga but Segunda is a decent level and hopefully if true he plays every week. Nice trip for Kelvin Davis to check up on him of course. [emoji6]

Massive LOL: @SportsPeteO: West Brom are are weighing up a move for former Newcastle and Southampton striker Leon Best. #wba https://t.co/DQsK7dhjrU

Possible loan move to Rayo Vallecano mentioned on Twitter. Would be great for him to get a season of starts under his belt IMO.

Also thought he wasn't overly impressive in the Euros.

Targett is fine as back up, although his better performances came at LWB when he didn't have to defend as much. Point is, its such a cop out to say we wouldn't find good players who will be happy to sit on the bench. This season someone out of JWP, Hojbjerg, Davis, Clasie and Romeu will start more games on the bench than in the starting team. If you sign good players they have the belief they can get into the starting lineup when they get their chance. Players like Long, Martina and Romeu being good examples.

Absolute garbage. We finished 6th in the PL, are in Europe and can pay bigger wages than many other teams in Europe. We have had better players than Gardos and Targett on the bench over the last few seasons and could definitely buy other good players to add to the squad if we wanted to.

WH opponents so dirty. Have about 3 yellows after 15mins. WH have a pen now...

I think generally fans are pretty pleased with whats happening and its not a case that we need stacks of players. Aside from a GK I would happily only see one more signing: a very good attacking player. Otherwise its hard to argue our attack will be lesser in quality and options than in May and thats not a situation you would be thrilled with. Otherwise in the squad it is fine IMO.

Valencia, Sakho, Emenike, Carroll, Nene...

West Ham moving down to number 834 on their striker target list. http://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-back-in-for-striker/

One of those will be backup GK, most likely McCarthy I guess. Interesting to see if we still pursue a RB. Would say Martina is better backup on the right than Targett is on the left so perhaps Puel thinks he doesn't need one.

Hants could learn a thing or two from Saints re scouting and transfer market. Signed our 23rd seamer today to play in the second XI. Luckily has a good injury rec...oh.

We saw Long on the wing for enough time under Koeman to know he is considerably more effective playing on the shoulder of the defender. There is definitely scope for that within this system but it has been noticeable from opposition goal kicks that the strikers split quite wide and in open play are asked to track back quite a lot more than Long and Pelle would have last season. Ironically a system that would have suited Mane perfectly.

Wanyama was 21 and Mane 22 when we signed them. So they were examples of buying good young players.

Slattery recovering from injury. McCarthy on loan at Walsall in L1.

Agree. Turnbull too possibly. He is behind Stephens and now seemingly Jones and will be 22 in October. In general I think the younger ones have more long term potential. Jones and Valery especially look promising out of those listed.

Overall yes it would make us stronger. But if we sign one attacking player a good striker would be more valuable than a good attacking midfielder if we are going to be playing the 4-4-2 diamond.

Isn't he another Ziyech type player though, i.e would be competing with Redmond and Tadic for a place rather than Long, Austin and Jay?

Agree. Whilst we don't seem to be in for him a player like Berahino would immediately improve the starting XI. Aside from cover keeper which we are sorting I think we are strong everywhere aside from maybe 4th CB. But a decent striker would be a great addition, and is needed if we will play 2 up top with the added uncertainty around how effective Jay Rod will be. Potentially also a more mobile ball carrier in midfield if we were being picky, as the likes of Romeu, Clasie, Reed, Hojbjerg, JWP all are better as deeper lying, passing players and in the midfield 3 there is room for one more expansive player, albeit of a different type to Davis. Aside from SD and the unknown quantity of Hojbjerg its hard to see many goals coming from central midfield again, assuming the 10 is counted as a forward.

Its interesting. Media reports suggested we had a club wide desire to play 4-3-3 which this is a non traditional variant of, so interesting we are moving slightly away from that version. Main things I have noticed: - There is one pivot midfielder instead of two. - Full backs provide the attacking width and play high -Strikers split and often the 10 player is furthest forward Based on friendlies it suits: - Tadic and Redmond who have space to influence the game. Redmond has also played as a striker which is interesting - Full backs who are capable of beating a man and making good forward runs, Martina has done well going forward to an extent. Cedric and Bertrand should like it - Should suit Jay Rod in theory as he can start wide and drift in but he still looks rusty. Its a similar role to which he had under Pochettino. May suit Long but you want him on the shoulder not dropping deep. Doesn't seem to suit: - Austin, who is a penalty area player and not overly adept at dropping deeper and having to chase the oppo full back. - Targett who lacks the pace to take on his man in the final third - Any get to the byline type winger like Isgrove as that isn't required in this system. Midfield three is hard to tell so far as we have a lot of more defensive types and there is definitely scope for one to attack more, which will likely be Davis. Could be tough against a team that dominates you, especially one with very attack minded full backs as our two strikers could end up chasing them the whole game. Attack wise there is little point signing a winger if we play like this and we have Tadic and Redmond who can play 10, so a striker would be the most useful attacking addition.

Early impressions he looks an excellent, technically gifted player. If he is good with the pace, power and tempo of the PL then he should be brilliant. Quite a lot of competition for the 3 central midfield spots.

Which striker are we linked with? Tello is a winger and the other guy a DM.

Shame that despite all the posts we aren't signing him, so you and Saint Charlie and Yuki (and others?) will be disappointed!