coalman

Yeah. Well paying 20 year olds £100k a week isn't likely to lead to a balanced human.

The CHO story is really illustrative of how the big clubs' academies work. Rather than let him leave for Bayern they offered him mega money to stay then never gave him a proper run. Yes he was injured but this hoarding of players is one of the less savoury elements of the massive financial disparity in the game.

Broja had two season long loans before he got to that point and was prepared to sign a long Chelsea contract last summer. That being said I think it's increasingly clear to players in City and Chelsea's academies that their path to first team football is likely to be through a permanent move. I really hope Delap sees it this way too and we can sign him up.

I just hope we get a couple of seasons out of him.

City may think a season on loan ups his value by 10-20m in the same way it did for Broja at Chelsea. For City and Chelsea the academy is a money making thing.

Agree with all that. Seems like we're at that point where we need some outgoings. 2 from 3 of Valery, Stephens and Bednarek (or all three if we get Colwill) A large chunk of our attacking midfielders. Yesterday our play was crisp until we got near the opposing box. On their day, Redmond, Djenepo and Tella can all stretch the defence. I just wish that day was more often. And for the rest I've lost track of the number of times I see an overlapping fullback who is ignored to stop and pass backward. I don't know if it's an awareness or a coaching thing. I'm happier with our defence and centre mid than I've been in years though.

They're probably giving Eddie Howe a chance to stabilise first. Then either get in a Pep-like manager or splash once they have confidence they're a top half side.

I'd like to apologise to everyone I doubted over the last couple of years when they highlighted our weakness at 'keeper every transfer window.

Judging by the first few minutes of extra time maybe not even that.

Lucky our attack is so incisive.

If we combined the best team from both halves we'd be ok

I keep thinking we've signed Pierluigi Collina's younger brother then I remember Smallbone has given up on hair.

Lovely header

Maybe there's a £50m defender inside Bednarek. It's just he gets ruthlessly punished for any slip by his own keeper.

And went at true daisy cutter pace

At least we know our first choice keeper now.

For some value of "missing", yes

It's like we've put a sign up saying "get your goals here". Can we put Gavin back on?

Wait. Did I just see a Saints DM drive forward and shoot?

We have no cutting edge.

This is uncomfortable watching. A goalkeeper who commands his area AND distributes the ball. What sorcery is this?

Our new GK is talkative and comes for crosses.

Bless them and their condescension

For £10m Winks might be worth a punt. Don't want us paying Levy tax though.

Delap on perm. Broja on perm. Simples.