James

West Ham sign Kudus. Ings becomes available?

Would love us to go for Ross Stewart. Would be a bit of a gamble given his injury but I would say worth it. If he comes back in October and hits the ground running he might have higher placed suitors in Jan. Ings on loan or Stewart are probably about the best we can hope for. Hoping we don't gamble on a Shankland or Duk as our CF replacement.

There hasn't been any investment at all so far bar Shea Charles, he's the only transfer fee we have paid out. Appears we were prepared to bid for Piroe but fucked that up so remains to be seen who we spend that money on. Feels fairly clear cut we will lose ABK, KWP and Che next week and bring in Wood and a striker. Fingers crossed for no sting in the tail sale like Alcaraz or Sully but if SR want their money back already after screwing us last season then anyone is for sale.

Has turned into a bit of a must win. If we have a disappointing end to the transfer window then we go into some very tough games in September. Fans could turn very quickly and will do even faster if we drop points tomorrow after today's events.

All that BS about how they didn't want the quality players to leave but the fees would support the squad rebuild etc etc. It's utter rubbish, just a front whilst ticket sales soar. Feels like our entire season turns on who they bring in to replace Che now.

Maybe SR are just fast forwarding to the 2023 version of the Jason Euell/Stern John era? Mason Holgate the new Andrew Davies?!

Fact remains we've downgraded what was, IMO, the best attack in Championship significantly in the space of 24 hours. If Che departs then our attack is arguably not top six standard.

Wait until the window closes but if the Che replacement is in the same vein as Ryan Fraser on loan then questions should start to be asked.

Don't think we've scored an open play goal in th league that hasn't been scored by Tella or Che. Did not expect us to be here a week out from the window closing

Would literally have removed all open play goals from the team (unless I'm misremembering one - not counting the Bednarek rebound as that was a corner).

Difficult to see that team scoring many goals from open play.

It's a difficult one for Wilcox and team to manage. Maybe getting rid of Paul or Mara unlocks things as we'd have some latitude to bring someone else in regardless of what happens with Adams? Surely we can't allow Adams to leave without a replacement but if an acceptable bid comes in on deadline day then who knows?

That's why I proposed it, I agree that it's the most likely scenario. The downgrade in our attacks would be stark. At the moment we have the best attacking options in the league but we wouldn't post window if my scenario panned out. Question for those on the more optimistic side, do you anticipate any material changes from what I have suggested?

The Martin quote re Sulemana also implies he expects him to stay given the reference to planning for him to be in the squad for Sunderland.

If RM confirms Che is not in the squad this weekend then hopefully someone actually asks him what he thinks of Piroe going to Leeds/what his view is on a potential replacement.

If the situation pans out as follows: - Tella departs, Fraser comes in on loan and Sulemana stays put until January. - Che departs and we sign Shankland from Hearts or Duk from Aberdeen. - KWP departs, Holgate arrives on loan and we end up signing Wood from Swansea to replace one of ABK or Lyanco. - The young lad from Gronigens signs. Will people be satisfied with the business that we've done?

Not sure its narratives being constructed - reports are suggesting that (a) we wanted this winger from Genk, it sounds like he is choosing Leeds over us and (b) we wanted Piroe but he chose Leeds over us. Assuming those reports are true (no reason to believe otherwise as some of the reporters are well connected) then it seems reasonable to suggest that Ryan Fraser is an alternative to this guy from Genk and that, if we had been working on Piroe all the way up until yesterday when he chose to go to Leeds, we will now be trying to progress our second choice striker target. If Che doesn't train then seems like his move is close but our ability to get a replacement has suffered a set back as I suspect we thought we would get Piroe. The concern is that there is only a week left in the window, we have holes (and will soon have more) and appear to have lost out on two targets. Don't think its unreasonable to be disappointed at losing out on Piroe and being concerned that we now need to move on another target with time ticking on.

Typical. Another "we tried but" story involving Saints.

We are still worse off. Sulemana has produced basically zero in terms of attacking output since he's been here whereas Tella was one of the best players in this league last year and has had a direct involvement in us winning the two games we have. Still a complete gamble IMO and no doubt if he is half decent Sulemana will be angling for a move away as soon as he is able.

Yep - its going to be Shankland or Duk late in the window and we'll be rolling the dice on whether they are going to be good enough.

On a positive note, playing at home to QPR tomorrow is perfect timing. If we look absolutely toothless at home against one of the worst sides in the league then perhaps that is for the best in terms of generating some urgency for quality, thoughtful replacements rather than cast-off Premier League squad players on loan.

This is what will have happened I reckon. Not holding my breath for the Piroe alternative to be honest...

Wouldn't surprise me if Holgate on loan is the replacement for KWP rather than as a CB, especially if we are still in for Wood.

This window is becoming worse and worse by the day. If Tella is being sold then Ryan Fraser on loan had better not be the replacement. If that's the standard we are going for then god only knows who they have up their sleeve to replace Adams. If Che was that close to being out the door then there better be a decent explanation for not pursuing Piroe.

Bit worrying Paintsil didn't want to come here but is happy to join the shit show at Elland Road...