VectisSaint

As was everyone else who commented, with one (or maybe two at a push) exception(s).

Mane played for Red Bull Salzburg (in the Qualifying Rounds). I think Juanmi played twice for Malaga in 2012/13 (they won the group stage that year unbeaten and lost in the Round of 32, he apparently made 2 European appearances so must have played in some of those games). Stekelenburg surely played for Ajax in the CL as well (don't think he did for Roma or Monaco although was probably on the bench for the latter). Tadic never played CL for Vojvodina.

YNWA? Really gets on my tits these days. World Cup Willie, now there's a real football song.

Don't think Chambers ever played CB for us in the PL. He was usually touted as a future MF. Think its a stretch to say he is a succesful CB from our Academy.

Except the wage bill mentioned was for last season (2014/15) not the season just completed. These figures are all based on data that is nearly a year old (clearly because there is nothing later available). Why did the Grauniad feel it was newsworthy to issue an article based on season 2014/15? We all knew this stuff anyway.

Sounds like made up stuff again. Still, knowing we are "braced for bids" is comforting. If Leicester will pay 25m then fine, if Spurs want him they should be told to go **** themselves (and I don't think for one minute they want to add Vic to Dier and Dembele). Wouldn't mind Lamela though, but doubt he would be offered now after he has done well in the last season.

To answer your question, Matt Mills is probably the only other one. Chris Baird was never really a CB either, but filled in admirably and showed his worth with his great ability to leap. Anyway, its not about Stephens or Turnbull replacing the incumbents (Fonte and VvD) its about whether they are good enough to replace Gardos and/or Yoshida. That's where they should be, and I don't think there is any huge difference, at least with Florin. But is there the appetite within our management team to trust in a young player? We gave Stephens a contract until 2019, so you would think we should be getting him to step up to what we have seen and expect.

Scored one and an assist.

He played in midfield or RB that day I think (Gibson and Ayala played at CB). He played 4 times in the LC for Boro, but only once in the League.

Jack failed to make an impression at Boro because they already had 2 good CBs (see above post, Gibson and Ayala?), they didn't actually need Jack, and hence he got very little game time, thus his loan was cancelled. Subsequently been on loan with Coventry and done well. As he is no longer u-21 expect to see him in the first team squad this season, trouble is he won't get many opportunities with Jose and VvD with Yoshi and Gardos as backup. Unless Ronald begins to trust in our youth then its difficult to see how Jack will break through, really not convinced he is not as good as Florin (no offence to Florin). Another year of loans, perhaps in the Championship again, although in my view we might be better loaning to Spain or Holland to develop his footballing skills. Jordan Turnbull will prsumably play another (3rd) season on loan and then he will have the same problem breaking through.

Turkish in reminding everyone what a tit he is shocker. Must be a slow day in the world of photo copying and staples supply.

More likely will they stick or stick? Do you really think that the Board will sack Ronald? Because that's the option to not sticking. It won't happen. Ronald has a contract agreed with the Board to continue until 2017 and that's what will happen. If Ronald does sign an extension great, but if he doesn't i really don't believe anything will change, certainly the Club would not go down the route of replacing him and then having to fork out compensation, and also making themselves look completely foolish for sacking a manager who has just delivered our most successful season for 21 years and European football.

On the other hand, with the very notable exception of Leicester, all the teams that pass forward more than us have either been relegated or flirted with relegation this season (West Ham seem to have approx the same ratio as us). Villa hardly passed at all, hence their ratio is low.

Just "off" is all thats needed.

Its not as tiny as it used to be. Winners (if from England, Spain, Germany or Italy) can earn 25m euros. 2.4m euros guaranteed for Group Stage entrants, plus 360k per win, and 120k per draw prize money, and there is TV money on top of that (proportionally higher for teams from the Big 4 countries, the overall pot is 152m euros, on top of prize money). This is based on 2015/6 figures, which were agreed for 3 years. http://www.totalsportek.com/money/europa-league-prize-money/ OK small fry compared to the PL, but guaranteed 2.4m (thats 2.2m more than West Ham are guaranteed, so thank you Man U).

Cheers, eventually found a link and as you say it has been removed. AS i said not a big deal, just want to move along one seat, but it would have been nice to have seen something a bit more clear that this was possible. Have to take my chance now.

Ron, thanks, can you give me a link to the form, as I have (seemingly) looked everywhere but cannot see it (I found reference to it in FAQs but there was no obvious link) Cheers

I thought there was a period when season ticket holders could change their seat before they went on general sale. Have I missed that? No big deal just wanted to shift along one seat to the end of the row (as I know the fella there is not renewing). I did not get an option to change seat when I renewed.

Would be a step up for him, European football and all that. Always a bit mindful about taking players from teams with a habit of losing though, shows a possible lack of backbone.

This. If we won't deal with Spuds I'm not sure there is any other team that is interested/needs Victor (and don't even think they need him now). Really not convinced that he will be off, all the speculation is based on last season, not this, and hope he doesn't go, he is too important to us.

More likely Red Funnel, some free tickets to the IOW would be welcome.

At least we can still remember who we are talking about :-)

I know I've got grandchildren, but shocked that Rickie is already a granddad as well.

The goal by Shilton clinched it, not sure I think Eric Martin is the answer to our goal keeping conundrum though, he's 70 now and probably a bit too old even to sit on the bench.

WhoScored stats are supplied by Opta. Can't really argue with any of the other names (except perhaps Gomes who has actually been outstanding behind a wobbly defence, even if some of his goalkeeping is comical at times). If you think Cedric's inclusion is because WhoScored stats are silly then presumably you think VvD is included in the same way. I wouldn't have said Cedric was the best RB this season in the PL but for a good part of it he was excellent. He is still a much better defender than Martina and also gives us more in an attacking sense (as the stats show). There is something else going on behind the scenes with Cedric, not just his ability.