Dman

I think this is where I'm at, although I have to dissagree with the CM comments. We essentially have 3 of the best central players in this division and I really like the look of the German lad who imo will replace Downes and be the "number 6". There are a lot of 'what if's' for me. If still can get the balance right in the middle, if still can get Archer firing, if the new lads are as good as they look on the face of things, if Bazunu doesn't do bazunu things... We have the bases of a side that could, maybe should, piss the leauge (with Leciester getting a points deduction). All in all, I'm a lot more excited for the season than I was a month ago.

In Fellows and Scienza (by the look of things), we have 2 players who are brilliant 1vs1 and can beat a man with ease out wide. You could argue the same for Robinson as well. With the German lad in CM, who appears to at his best dictating the play from deep and can play forward balls (something Downes and Charles aren't good at). That'll create a load of space for players like Azaz in between the lines in the middle or Archer in behind. On the face of it, we have a brilliant squad at this level. Much, much stronger than when we started.

Maybe I’m just incredibly naive, but I think Archer is shit hot at this level. Could easily be the divisions leading scorer if we can get the ball to him. keeper is our weakness however. How long until McCarthy is number 1 again..

IMO, the Paris link was always a case of trying to drive up what we’re offering.

In fairness, I don’t think the level will be as high this year. Ipswich have also had an iffy start, Leicester will likely get a points deduction. No one has really stood out as any good this season, tbh. hopefully, with the signings last week, we’ll have a squad much more suited to Still and removal of the deadwood. im really nervous about the GK situation however.

Have you been to Paris in the last 10 years? Absolute shit hole. He’ll be rushing to move once his missus is held up a knife point for her luxury handbag.

The bench?

We need a new GK before we even think about a number 9. Bazunu is an absolute liability. His injury last time round saved our season and we’ve gone back in this year with the same Achilles heal (no pun intended) which has already cost us 3 points this season. I cannot believe we were in the market for a new keeper and we’ve picked up one that’s worse than the other 2 idiots we have… after seeing against Stoke what a decent keeper can do.

All ifs and buts, I don’t think there is much more he could have done. We played square pegs and in square holes at least. Had it not been for Bazunu, we win the game. Probably the same could be said for Stoke as well.

We've never seen him with a bit of quality in behind him though. We finally have that.

That's a bit OTT.

the co-commentator here is absolutely insufferable

I'm going to give the benefit of doubt ot MF here. I suspect this was his Agent telling him he'd been given permission to travel. His agent has been working like a dog to get him a move and the best her can muster up is West Ham. Not ideal.

Is this when you say "now were cooking bro"

Nah I agree. More than capable at this level imo. Reviewing Hypo's absolute headloss at the signing, when he turns out to actually be alright will be brilliant.

Like it or not, players like Fernandes are brought to sell on in 1-2 years time at a profit. I'm relatively happy with the model, so long as the money is re-invested and we continue to find players like Fernandes, Alcaraz etc. High risk, but In that respect, its been a success for SR. I'd rather us sign and sell players like Fernandes, than sign dross like Aribo etc. who we cannot shift.

I suspect a couple of bad defeats this week have escalated the situation.

After this sell though, there is absolutely no excuse for SR to not go out and bring in a top quality attacking player. Wether that is Sargent, Fellows, that russian geezer or another. We absolutely have £20m to go out and find a match winner and someone who'll take us up.

He doesn't at all. He, Charles & Downes are all the same player essentially - obviously MF is a level above the latter 2. They want to play "the number 8" get on the ball and drive forward. We've been vunerable on the counter and that is because our CM's are all too high. For me, obviously without seeing them in the flesh, this German lad and Azaz, suit the system mucher greater than MF does.

From what I've seen / read, I think he looks pretty decent, if I'm honest.

Unsurprising, he clearly wanted out, we're not keeping a £40m player in the champ and tbh, I think he's replaceable. However, if given their start weve not got £50m, that'll be very disappointing. Good luck to the lad.

Apparently he’s had a fall out with a few player… imagine my shock. one of those is supposedly Raskin. Tidy little CM, wouldn’t mind a go if true

This is a brilliant watch. Only 3-0 but could easily be 7 or 8. Carved open like a turkey on the kitchen table. reminds me of his final days as our manager (Tottenham game). Couldn’t happen to a better bloke.

Regardless of how high QPR fans rated him, he’s not for us. How many other players from QPR would you take…? My guess is probably none.

Based on everything I’ve seen, he’s really average. Telling only QPR, a side more likely to be battling relegation than a top half finish, are after him. stick a decent sell on clause in and we’ll be laughing.