Chez

reads well but The cynic in me thinks if only he had Sturridges ability...but what does the cynic know. Bet Burnley are thinking he is bound to score against them. A debut goal,would be just the tonic we need.

Why bother to have a loan. Bat**** mental deal. Why the **** didn't we just loan him, see how the land lies then sign next summer. I hope he shines of course, but yet another strange deal.

Very good point. It will be painful to all concerned having to sign Forster's monthly wage cheque. Maybe we will have injuries in that department and then he will come in handy.

Personally I don't understand this signing. We already have goal hanging tap-in merchants in Austin and Gabbi. Isn't he just more of the same? If we were going to sign a striker, don't we need one offering pace, skills and genuine creativity? That or a powerhouse to hold the ball up and play long to. If Ings offers those facets then I'm happy, but not sure he does. Anyone able to enlighten me? I've heard the clamour for a new striker, but I ask again, who the hell is going to create the chances for all these strikers? Redmond and Mohamed Elyounoussi? Blimey. Who is the option when they are not doing it? JWP and Sims?

how about £15m as per Sun article? What about £17m, £18m or £19m? Love seeing young players come through into the side, and loathe to let him or any other player go, but the way I always think it is are they preventing a better player playing for Saints? His wages will be much higher than you imagine and that shirt could be filled with someone that dominates an opponent (which JWP fails to do). However, it relies on the quality of player brought in, an area most on here wonder about right now.

Could argue that Armstrong takes his place already, even if that signing was perhaps intended to replace Davis long term.

yes. Austin needs two wide men beating people and getting to the byeline. He is effective in the box, but needs chances laid on for him. I'd say Gabbi two. Goalscorers tend to finish things off. What have our strikers had to finish off in recent times? the supply is the issue.

after two years of almost non existent entertainment, brilliant game at Anfield apart, I'd be more than happy to see a Saints player actually beat a man, and get me out of my seat. The row z part might be right, but at least i'd of seen something positive. Loved Chicken George, loved Antonio and would have loved those two as well.

I'd take Bolasie in his last season at Palace for £25m every day of the week. He was tremendous - cut teams to ribbons. Everyone keeps pointing to our lack of strikers, but its the supply that is the issue. Bolasie #1 from 2016 with Treore on the other side would offer the much needed pace if nothing else. Hopefully Mo proves to be top notch out wide. we certainly need him to be.

Every time I have seen him he has impressed me. I know a few on here have said he doesn't do it, but I just see a player that makes things happen. He can genuinely beat a man...boy are we short of that attribute. Personally I think he is exactly what we need. It will be interesting to see how he and Mo fair. Similar price, similar position. I think Traore will have a similar impact as Michael Antonio.

One of my favourite players to watch and was very envious of Everon signing him, but game based on pace, power and tricks. If the pace has not returned after the terrible injury/operation then that limits him massively. If it has, then don't understand why Everton would want to sell.

I think they will be top half, maybe even do a Burnley.

With a wage bill matching TV income that's just as well then.

We play five at the back because individually the players are not good enough. We are trying to hide our inadequacies. In the end though you get found out as you either lack goals or you leave gaps are you attempt to get them. Midfield is a major weakness. Not sure we have top class strikers, much threat out wide...we are short everywhere really.

dont believe that for a minute. Dyce is no fool.

wonder of they will rotate players like we did whilst in Europa.

Dyche just confirmed in his press conference that Pope has had an operation and they are looking to bring in a keeper and will try to get dispensation from UEFA to allow him to play in Europe. Heaton not fit for game against Aberdeen. Wonder how quickly a deal might/could be done? I know everyone says the real money in the champions league, but English teams earn a tidy sum from the Europa league, so they won't want to miss out and thus will be very keen to get a keeper in.

pretty high wages for a championship club, even if we paid half.

nice post. I feel very apprehensive about the side and our prospects, but you make an excellent case for us having an improved season.

We played Shaw right from the off. Why? Because he was bloody good enough. There may well have been a change of manager or two since then, but IMO Sims and Gallagher simply have not been to the standard required to justify more games. From what I have seen of Sims, a nice run and pass at Anfield apart, he isn't some sort of Ryan Giggs in waiting. Gallagher also lacked the composure in front of goal when he was thrown in at the deep end. I admit there isn't a huge amount of games to judge them on, but the coaches know what they have. If Sims is beating Bertrand then you have a player. If he is in his pocket its hardly surprising the manager is reluctant to give them starts. Both may still come good, I've seen Gallagher improve steadily once The Clott was given the shove at Brum, but he needed another season in the Championship. Personally I have no problem whatsoever them being sent out on loan to learn the trade and get game time. Far better idea than reducing the quality of our first team. we have made some woeful signings. You don't stop trying to improve the first team because of those errors.

Cedric is not the man I'd want defending a back post header either, and our midfield is too slow and lightweight. We don't keep the ball or offer enough threat to put teams on the back foot. In short, the whole team creates defensive issues that a keeper can't always cover.

if we lost the first 6 games, conceding a few and not scoring many, our board would sit on its hands I suspect

I can't get Sunderland out of my had. Almost get relegated. Stuck with a load of players draining them of cash preventing them making serious signings that can turn the team around, get relegated, Are our signings going to make a significant positive impact to our side? If not then I predict 17th, at best.

sort of good news - shame he hasn't been sold - I've never rated him and never thought he was good enough with or without the ball. He's simply not big enough, strong enough, fast enough or fit enough. Without those facets you have to be some ball player. He aint. A very poor signing. Bet we could have signed Dembele that summer too.

amen. The use of the term black box has made me cringe almost as much as the #WeMarchOn and the bra kit.