Dman

I think that is the concern. We've been pretty lucky to win the games we have. Saturdays result has been coming, it could have been QPR if they had a bit more cutting edge. Out of possession we are dreadful, our pressing is ridiculously poor, we stupidly easy to play through and the full backs get too high up the pitch leaving CB's exposed. I really like Martin, I think he speaks well and is a great figure head for the club. However, I do think he's very limited as a manager though. I thought at the time of his appointment we wouldn't go up under him and 5 games in, I still think the same. It's probably for the best we don't to be completely honest. We'd see results like Saturday every single week in the PL playing in the way that we do.

If Larios is fit I'd start him. Probably the strongest side we'll play this season. I think they'll have too much for us. Bazunu KWP THB Bednerak Larios Downes Charles AA Sulamana Adams Fraser

He was really shite today and doesn't look match fit. I wont blame any of our CBs though - Martin's gungho system leaves them all way too exposed.

Is Gnoto still there? he's the game changer imo

ABK doesn't mark that Armstrong out of the game lik eBednerak (other than 1 misake) did Saurday. He'd have been bullied and ran all over the park. Bednerak is / has been one of our better performers since his return in January.

I don't think he is our best CB. He looked weak as piss in many games last season. Half hearted and couldn't be arsed. Who knows what type of crap he'll throw in, in the championship with even less motvation.

Read my posts and please point to where I've moaned that we are / were selling ABK. Spolier, you wont be able to. We have 4 CB's already at the club who'll expect to start - We do not have room for ABK as well. I'm sure everyone at the club was expecting him to leave and have signed Holgate or THB as a replacement.

What do you think? "Southammpton might sign someone, I don't know who, they might not, they might"

Lets be honest, we don't have room for ABK in our squad now. We're heavy at CB anyway, let alone another who'll expect to be a starter. If he sticks around, I hope he's made to train with the kids. HE absolutely jacked it in at the slightest sign of it being tough last season

You've been telling us for the past 4 weeks we have someone better than Piroe and Adams coming in. Almost like you we're completely making it up.. who'd have thought it aye.

I'm going to start to measure inflation by the cost of a James Blunt ticket. £85 each, blimey.. makes the fee paid for Tall Paul look a bargain

yep - It'll be interesting to see how Martin manages that. We've kinda shot ourselves in the foot giving Stephens the captaincy... I'm not sure he should even be starting.

Day 55 of OldNick mentioning the CoT

Not something I was expecting to hear this window... something has either gone really really wrong at Atletico or we're chasing unrealistic targets again.... (or, most likely, its complete rubbish made up by agents / press)

I can only assume other targets aren't achievable in that case. I think there is a player in Mara - we just haven't seen it yet. Will we ever is the big question. Really needs to work for him and us.

No one is forgetting him - He's isn't a number 9. We've seen that.

Its a bit of a tricky one. It'd be a huge risk to rely on him for any period of time so we need 2 seasoned professionals ahead of him and we only play 1 up top, so he's relying on a long term injury to get some game time realistically. I think sending him to Reading (with a recall clause) is sensible for us and him.

For me, our season hangs on this. Its essential.

FWIW - I think the value we got is pretty fair. Just not a fan of coming out saying about how we demand X and they'll only leave on our terms. As you've said, in the minority I suspect. Although, I do think Che is worth more to us this season than £15m is next. So long as we get 2 strikers in, it wont matter.

I'm sure there was a Burnely fan on here a month or so ago - Mostly to talk about Tella. I'm fairly certain that he said when THB was mentioned that they have 3 really strong CB's so he might not actually get a game there.

Is that actually true? I was lead (maybe incorrectly) to believe he played more out on the left / in the 10. Not too dissimilar to how he's been playing here. Personally, I think at this level, he's absolutely brilliant in the deeper role and starts ahead of Alcaraz for me.

Fraser, Downes and THB are all absolutely brilliant championship signings.

Tino - wanted £50m, got £40m JWP - wanted £50m, got £30m Che / ABK - Sending out on loan ffs. I don't see how that suits the club in any way shape or form.

Can't wait to watch us cook, innit.

Really good defence that. Along with the midfield, that's arguably the strongest core in the league. Still - Goals, or lack of, is going to be what kills us.