DT

I'm now taking a draw after my dream last night. Went one up (Lambert), then threw it all away in extra time. Adkins picked Davis in goal. Hopefully this is balderdash.

Benteke is ok and we're suddenly looking ropey at the back. Suspect failure to get players in will again cost us.

Not convinced he's prem class, personally. Think he's top Championship striker, not much more. Certainly overpaid for him.

this

Will he end up with the tractor boys?

Clyne and Gaston to play so I guess Yoshi and Jos in the centre, Shaw as normal and Cork in the middle protecting/playing like a God. Hope Lambert plays.

Thursday afternoon. Perhaps we'll play Cork as centre back v Villa...

Amazingly good news. Future England stalwart. Well done club. Well done Luke. Great start to the day.

I have a feeling Puncheon's agent has been on the phone more than Noel Edmonds in Deal or no deal and that we will be surprised by one player leaving who we wanted to stay. Praying this is not Luke Shaw - couldn't help looking at those shirt-swap pics with Ashley Cole and imagining him saying something like 'this will be yours for good soon, mate'. Please no.

I know he's a former Skate but frankly I don't care. I think Papa Boupa Diop at Birmingham could do us a job in terms of breaking up play and getting stuck in. Might be a realistically inexpensive option. No doubt this will provoke outrage from people who want us to sign Messi instead.

But that was Redknappian. No return from those gambles. F'sure.

And you'll ne-ver get... a loan you'll NE-VER get... a loan

We're after two players in Italy. That's heavily weighted for you.

Perhaps he might be keen to play for one of the world's most famous clubs? (Or failing that, Liverpool) arf

At least I'm consistent! Hopefully the same outcome too! Think this is more crucial than the Ramirez deal, though.

Gut feeling is we won't get him. Surely Liverpool will offer more money both in contract and fee? Or is Cortese promising a new manager (half joking)?

Personally still think Lambert is the only one with a clear head at the end of games to sensibly keep possession, and remains a big aerial threat. If we get rid we're mad.

I agree. The cost of the delay in getting crucial players in could far outweigh the extra £ we'd have to part with to get them 2 weeks early. We might be too far adrift in a month.

Compare with Joe Cole to West ham, immediate impact. We've been not getting decent centre halves in for years. And keepers. And centre midfielders. Really hoping we get reinforcements but have that sense, honed over years, that we might be a bit disappointed. This will only get worse when Villa win.

embarrassing. pick your strongest team

they were taking the wee. the atmosphere wasn't great, and it was a bit dreary. and hammond was very slow indeed - not popular in the stands near me at least. ground's okay - good park and ride, but bit soulless. one thing they did do which i quite liked was put a video on before kick-off of big moments for the club right through the ages. Bit marketingy but seemed popular. Suspect newcastle coudln't give a toss about going out.

He looked good today. I went to watch Brighton v Newcastle, who were toothless. Good reminder why we got rid of Hammond. We'd have beaten both sides, although Brighton had a goo midfielder called Birdcutt or something. Was trying to stay awake. Hard being in other club grounds.

Bloody hell. Amazing if comes off.

Lawrenson says what some of us feel - we need a keeper this window http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20805220

Oh dear