Chez

That's a shame. His goals in recent games have given us half a shout in games. Sadly it's just another in what's feels like a long line of injuries. Amazed someone sanctioned his signing. Paying far too much for him to be sitting on a physio table...

I am no Long fan, but all I keep reading is that fans can forgive players for lacking ability as long as they show the right attitude and work rate (finger being firmly pointed at Redmond), but that's ********. We want talented players that work hard.

Why not? The number of times our own corner becomes a counter attack for our opponents.

Amazing that both Pellagrino and PUEL gave him the same instructions.

from my point of view that is good news as it will free up a squad place. Get him off our wage bill and look to upgrade in that area with someone that poses a real threat. I love his work rate, but that is not enough at this level.

A vocal minority within the SFC management maybe.

Every VVD story I read seems to be an attempt to convince Saints that they will need to lower their asking price. Call me naive, but my impression was that we weren't looking for a buyer or provided an asking price. If someone wants him they will have to make an offer too good to refuse. In todays market that is a **** load of money. If the likes of LFC cant afford him and City are unwilling to make such an offer that is not our problem.

I wouldn't.

If it was your multi-million pound investment on the line, how edgy would you be right now? Would you be thinking, `we need stability and the grass isn't always greener. I am going to stick with this hand'? Or, would you be thinking `****, we are still bottom of the table and the £150m a season income we rely on to pay these players on long term contracts could disappear overnight leaving us with a huge back hole in our finances and the possibility that we then need to invest more money just to get back where we are, rather than make a profit from our initial investment'. Seriously, if you were really wearing one of those 100 or so new owners shoes, what would you do?

Very interested to know the current situation regarding debt and funding at the club. I doubt much has changed yet, but perhaps in time it will. As I recall Gao had to use his own money to acquire the club rather than his company's money. Should we expect to see Gao recoup his outlay over a period time in advance of a future sale? Whilst Kat helped to finance the club with regular low cost loans to help propel us through the leagues and create an asset worth a lot more to a potential buyer than when Marcus acquired it, I wonder what the model is for Gao. I suspect it will be a case of simply trying to maintain our premiership status in order to see the value of the club increase naturally in line with other sporting assets. If, during that period, he can have the club pay him a substantial amount (be it in the form of a dividend or some sort of loan repayment), perhaps the whole £200m, then when he comes to sell he could make £250, maybe £300m in profit. Should that be the case, the club will have a smaller budget and retaining our status will be tougher. It will be a fine balancing act - as it always is. Perhaps I am miles off track, so interested in other thoughts on this.

For my sins I ventured to **** park on Saturday to see if the Shakers could turn them over, again. Sadly, bottom of the league Bury weren't up to the task, although there wasn't much in it. Woeful marking of Matt Clarke, probably the best player the skates have got, allowed a free header for the only goal of the game. First time I've seen a side, other than us, lose at their place. I'm usually a proper jinx. By and large it was pretty dreadful. Bury only caused problems when Danny Mayor came on, who is a decent player - worth a look. Bury brought about 100 down and made little noise. The skates marginally louder. My friends thought I was surprisingly restrained, despite my best "**** off pompey, pompey **** off" throughout. One minor thing of note, they appeared to have given the place a lick of paint. Perhaps paid for by the ridiculously overpriced £25 ticket price for away fans paying on the gate. ****ing hate handing them money...

Dembele? Talk about aiming high

Do centre backs need to be rested? keeper apart, they do the least amount of running. Aside from that, he's hardly played. Sounds like bull**** to me.

or put another way, "Liverpool can't afford VVD". Funny how the subeditor didn't spot that headline opportunity.

Ben Brereton is an investment we should consider. I'd be tempted to sign Robles too.

we look to retain possession at all costs, but don't have the players that are good enough to break down our opponent. Usually inferior teams select an alternative method, like as you say hitting the channels or playing off a target man. Not sure we really know what we are doing.

you dont have to like them to like what they say.

Articulate yes, but pretty much every single thing he says is absolute ******** IMO. I listen, listen and listen a bit more. He goes into great detail about a tactical subject like overlapping or dropping off or suchlike, and I listen intently hoping to learn something from an ex pro. Fair play to him for offering this insight,but at the end of this and every little lecture I just think, thats a load of horse **** Danny. You sound great, but despite 30 years of experience you simply don't seem to know what you are bloody talking about. Obviously that conclusion is based on me thinking I know something about the game. Opinions, opinions.

Also like Claridge, but then again he's a Titchfield lad so he's bound to talk sense. He quite clearly watched and attended a **** load if games so actually knew how teams were performing rather than just rely on motd clips and a league position. Quite like Jenas on his Friday night bbc5 live radio show.

Not sure if that was in response to my post or not but Ive never said he was too slow. Also never said he was championship level. I did compliment him by saying what he does do well. Strikers must score goals and he knows where the net is.

He's slow. Not glacial slow, but still slow. The fact is though, when he gets there he does something useful. Strikers at this level, at any level, must put the ball in the onion bag...

wages will always be a huge issue when it comes to buying from United.

Whilst the John Stones move might show an alternative outcome. Very similar type players Imo.

I cant see us signing or selling anyone in January. The squad is balanced. Someone would need to go before another came in.

Has the first touch to play at this level, but the question is will he ever excel? One things for sure, SFC is going to give him the time to fulfil his potential. Which I don't think he has reached yet.