Colinjb

Who's cheaper?

A good point. Again though, I believe there was more to that then meets the eye which further leads me to believe that the Billy Sharp situation is purely a professional impasse.

His personal issues probably contribute to it. Sharp had been through an awful lot just before leaving Doncaster, he came here for a fresh start, did exactly what was required of him and then just 4 months after signing he was deemed to be surplus to requirements. It is harsh..... but it's football.

I don't think it makes us look silly. He is behind many in our pecking order but is obviously talented. If as you say three premier league clubs have bid for him then it shows he is regarded as a potential danger in the hands of a rival. It is harsh on Billy personally that he is still here but not wanting him to go to a rival makes perfect sense to me. The club has shown itself to be ruthless on many matters since coming out of administration, it is a double edged sword. The massive progress we have seen has come at the expense of certain pleasantries. Sadly it seems that Billy is coming out worse, hope he gets a good loan out at Championship level; was there any truth in Sheffield Wednesday wanting him?

Agree with the sentiment.

I doubt it's like that. The nature of football is that if you let a player sign for a potential rival you just know they will come back and haunt you. It could just be a way of ensuring that one of our current 'assets' cannot leave and cause us damage, especially as the club doesn't need to sell. I seriously doubt it's anything personal, just a ruthless attitude to business.

We get your opinion (jesus christ you can't miss it!!!), a lot of others disagree. If that makes you feel the need to keep typing that's your problem my friend.

The best transfer window i've ever known as a fan, not perfect, but the best. Players in: Three players all signed who improve the options, depth and quality in the spine of the team. A player with international experience with Croatia (no mugs...) and Champions League experience with Lyon who has immediately settled and also looks to be bringing the best out of his defensive partner. A key player from the scottish champions (yes... yes, I know...) who excelled in the CL. And a player with several caps for Italy as a striker. I felt we needed evolution not revolution, that's exactly what we received. Was it value for money? That's the only question. A Players out: All youth stars retained, all key men retained. Puncheon leaving was a pity yet I understand there was more to that then meets the eye. Puncheon was important in a few games last year with some notable goals v Reading, Sunderland and QPR even if he wasn't one of the first names on the team sheet. He will be missed. B Timing: Not something we can always control but Lovren came in early, Wanyama had time to settle and only Osvaldo was a late one as he had to be 'sold' on us. No last day melt down occured, satisfying. A- Overall: A- Perfection is an admirable aim.... but you will never get it. It was however one departure away.

The best transfer 'windows'..... those are your serious answers?

When was this Bearsy?

Under FIFA rules players can become naturalised citizens, hence Deco playing for Portugal not Brazil. From wikipedia: Manuel Almunia was also eligible for England having lived here for 5 years.

In the Football 365 mailbox today, a letter from a 'John Daniels' states that he has heard that Morgan is eligible for a British passport and therefore could play for England. Doubt he would ever want to, he seems to be a proud frenchman to me, but is this true?

This, very much this.

I would imagine the administrative staff would be a little bit important though. I doubt the security staff have been trained on the fax machine.

The press team have gone home, the administrative staff have gone home...

LIVE AT ST MARY'S SSN's Mark McAdam "Nope... all done here....."

Libor Kozak joins Villa from Lazio. Czech striker, impressive record in the europa league.

As you say, time will tell. Until that time has passed we will not be able to tell either way.

But they havn't played in the PL, that was your point! And yes, lots of foreigners have failed to make the grade in the PL, so have many, many domestically trained players. Nationality is immaterial to a certain degree, talent and attitude on the other hand are not. Many academy players have also failed to make the grade. Back to the key point, You seriously maintain that we havn't benefited from signing the three players we have?

Sorry Alpine, it's just as strong as yours! Wanyama and Osvaldo do not have Premier League experience, neither have many players who have come to England and excelled... let alone ones who have been key members of sides who have reached the Champions League knock-out stages and played for their country. (In Osvaldo's case the number nine for a country who have won the world cup in the last decade.) On the basis of your argument I take it Ward-Prowse, Chambers, Shaw and any other youngster shouldn't be near the first team as they lack the experience?

Another attacking midfielder.... Can he play out wide?

Just as much as you doubt whether the new guys can step in, there is also no certainty that the existing players would be able to maintain their form either. Much better to have Lovren, Wanyama and Osvaldo supplementing the entire squad we had last season (Punch notwithstanding) ensuring we have greater options. It works both ways mate.

That name has been mentioned on here a few times before. Wouldn't think too much of it.

At worst though our squad is still significantly stronger then it was when the window opened.... That is simply a fact.

And neither do you Alpine, you are just assuming the worst when as you say it's too early to tell.