Chez

Losing JWP was the fundamental reason why we struggled in September. He was ideal to play Martin's keep ball and it took a while for his replacements to gel and do the same. Losing Fernandes might have a similar impact, assuming he plays the next couple of games and has a major impact. We will need to start again in September with Spertsyan. Hopefully the new attacking midfielder can hit the ground running and we don't have a similar slump.

Leeds have been linked with him since about January this year. The need for a creative midfielder and Farke having managed him helps connect some transfer move dots. Have they made a bid? The last time they pipped us to a player it was Junior Firpo who turned out to be garbage. Obviously there was the Gakpo tug of war too.

I am not sure anyone really thought we would retain them, so rebuilding a side capable of winning the league and perhaps having a few good enough to help keep us up, was always on the cards. If they don't depart, which would be a surprise, that would be two positions filled if we were promoted. Do we need to improve wide attack and AMC if they both stayed?

Got to say the difference Fernandes made on Sunday compared to the previous week was noticeable. Dibling only had a few minutes, but there is no one else offering his ball retention and dribbling ability. At this level, those two and Robinson would be a handful for opponents. Not exactly a surprise seeing as we want the best part of £100m for the pair.

It was an interesting hypothetical discussion about how fans would see the window if we didn't buy or sell anyone from here on in. Not sure my reply needed your nitpicking about the other positions we could buy players if we had a massive cash injection, but I guess that's what you do. That said, I agree, we'll get a keeper in come what may. I said keeper because I couldn't think of another position (other than right back) that we might buy a player (ignoring the attacking midfielder and right winger that would be needed to replace Dibling and Fernandes). Maybe a right back and a left winger? Returning to Forester's original question, how would you see this transfer window if there was no further movement MLG?

Interesting. IMO, if Dibling and Fernandes go, no matter who we bring in, we get weaker in their positions. If they go, we may have the funds to also buy a right back and a keeper, so strengthening in other areas, but I still think the drop off in quality from Fernandes and Dibling to Spertsyan and Guilavogui should not be underestimated. No one in or out. I'd be happy with that outcome. Not sure the CFO or the two players will be too chuffed.

The72 website suggests Plymouth, Barnsley, Orient and Reading are all looking to get Ballard.

If either player's contract sees them get a percentage of the sale, they are going to be very happy indeed!

They will price him as they see fit.

I specifically used the word "impressive". Did he impress you in the championship? I haven't really made my mind up about him.

It's impossible for all but the top two or three clubs to keep their best players, But the window of opportunity for smaller PL clubs is bloody tiny...

possibly, they certainly have a good eye for a championship talent, but THB hasn't been overly impressive, even in the championship, has he?

He's got one year left of his contract at Inter. He started the CL final. Not sure he's quite ready to drop down to the championship.

wise men say only fools rush in.

I guess we are caught in a trap and can't walk out because we love him too much, baby.

For all we know, we may have moved on already. We have obviously enquired about Rudoni, so certainly aren't putting all our eggs into one basket when it comes to the attacking midfielder. I wonder where WBA are financially. They sold Heggam, who I thought would be good for us, so that will have generated much needed funds, but they may still need to sell another to balance the books. The fact Fellows has not been bought by a PL club is a slight concern. Are we buying a guy that can't make the step up should we get promoted. Should we worry about that right now?

Plenty of moaning on here about us buying inexperienced nippers/potential, squad players or mediocre/shit, and then more moaning about our failure to offload the deadwood...yet if we target quality players, that end up at bigger clubs, we are unrealistic, time-wasting etc.

there was one for Onuachu. Our scouting must have missed it.

We have talked on here for a few years about building a side capable of staying up on promotion, and how the 2011 side was built on outstanding young talent like Lallana and Morgan. It wont happen, but a season of those two causing championship teams problems (followed by promotion, of course) could help us create that similar foundation to build on next season. I'm getting way ahead of myself here aren't I? Your post Sue just allowed me to dream for two minutes of a better (saints) world.

One year left on his contract. Brentford demanding £60m. Newcastle desperate for a striker, Brentford desperate to keep theirs. Talk about supply and demand dictating pricing.

They sold Vlachodimas to Newcastle last year, for about £20m, not this year. it was part of the Anderson sale that sorted out both Newcastle and Forest's PSR issues. They don't have the sane issues this year with the Elanga and Danilo sales.

Midsummers's night cream? [borrowed from the interweb]

I'd expect any loans to happen in the last week of the window, once permanent transfers are pretty much in place and clubs know what they have to work with. I'd be surprised if we signed a winger (or two) until there were some departures. That's out of our control. Not overly concerned. It's pretty standard pace/activity. It's a long season. The 4 points from 2 games means we have not lost too much ground.

Europe's statistically best manager

His value probably won't go up over the next two years, but the price offered between now and the window closing might. I see Everton returning with a larger bid.