saint-crinny

There's a core section of our fans that will be pretty much be there throughout, rain or shine, whatever the opposition. Then there's a percentage of fans who live further afield and can only make occasional games and a percentage of more casual fans who, righty or wrongly, attend lots more games when we're doing well. Nothing unusual with that, it's the same for pretty much any club. So last year, the games were basically sold out, as we riding quite a wave of optimism about the season ahead. This season, let's face it, there are quite a few less causes to be optimistic a month further on into the season = a lower attendance. Disappointing and I can't say I agree with it (not attending, rather than feeling less optimistic - I certainly am feeling that), but that's just the way of it.

Idrissa Gueye is a lot better than I thought he was. Villa last year could make any player look not very good I guess. Would have been a cracking replacing for Wanyama - he was all action last night and looks a steal at £7m.

Genuinely not sure he does, Certainly not up top - as shown by the fact that he's started Long, Austin and Jay in various games and none of them have performed particularly well. It's Long for me, but like everyone else I'd suggest it would work best with a front three of Long than Tadic left and Redmond right (Boufal when fit on either side, swapping with Tadic maybe) - but clearly that is going to happen any time soon.

Given Puel doesn't seem to have settled on what the strongest side is yet, you would expect there to be some changes. No problem with a few tweaks, but frankly we haven't got the squad to make any more than that and still compete in the Europa, even against a side who we supposedly should beat. Heading out at the group stages would be disappointing so we should take it seriously, given the effort to get here. Plus, it would be a bonus to head into the Swans game with the 0 wins this season off our backs. Get it done

Agreed, we created a lot of chances away at Arsenal which has to be a positive - bringing Boufal into the equation you would think would only add to that. It's taking them that we need to work on - Long takes two of those chances that he had in the second half and that penalty would have been irrelevant. We can't keep passing them up or you leave yourself open to exactly what happened on Saturday, and you come away with nothing from a game that you could easily have won

A statement like this from Fonte would have felt more sincere had it come during all the window speculation, as opposed to a day after it. For me, he clearly wanted the move and why shouldn't he - amazing summer, last shot a big team that probably wont come again and his stock has never been higher. But it didn't happen and so we now him back to full sharpness and playing well for VVD. Certainly won't be holding anything against him and would suggest that a couple of good games from him and most of the fanbase will be in that camp too

Ultimately, after a window that has seen us lose some very good players and sign some potentially very good new players (nothing new with that) I have two main concerns/frustrations. 1. it does feel like an opportunity missed to really strengthen the squad after the success of last season, further raised profile of the club and more games due to the Europa this year. Had we done all of the business in and out that we have, but added another striker and centre back of equal quality to the likes of Hojbjerg and potentially Bouffal I would have been pretty happy. Note that I don't think this should have happened on deadline day as a panic, there was plenty of time to get it done beforehand ala Redmond and Hojbjerg. 2. As that hasn't happened, the squad on paper still looks pretty good and therefore, main concern is that the current system doesn't look like it fits the squad's strengths. Either they need to adapt quickly or Puel needs a pretty sharp rethink, otherwise even a squad with talented players can slip into trouble. I don't think we'll go down, but if in a month's time, results haven't picked up i'll be getting nervous, regardless of the obvious talent in the squad.

Not a phrase but when Pardew was a guest on MOTD 2 a few times, before the infamous rape comment, i saw him use "POMO". "He's got himself in the POMO there." Before being asked by whoever was presenting, to explain what that was - Pards then delivered the explanation with a stupidly smug look as if to say check me out, i'm in the football coaching game you know and i've read an old coaching manual. Leave it out Alan, just say he got into a good position. ("position of maximum opportunity" if you were feeling far less football educated than our man Alan)

Quite good, could do better. Expecting more this season

United actually looked very good with the Bailly and Blind at CB yesterday - nice mix of pace, power and intelligent reading of the game. Plus they have Smalling to come back into that who was decent enough last year - they may well want Jose but I'm not really sure I believe they do. Could be wrong and he'll be gone tomorrow, but I feel it is probably just agent trying to ramp up the last pay packet for Jose from us.

don't think too many people thought the signing would be Januzaj, but he's just gone to Sunderland on loan anyway

Whoever the signing and new contract is, would appreciate the news announcements this morning so we can all get on with our lives and I may actually get some work done today

Probably Gaston for me, I thought we'd arrived when he signed. This season though, was really pleased with Hojbjerg and from everything seen in pre-season, he looks quality

I know that, just in response to "Fonte should take a leaf out of Davis book". It's not the same is it

I think Fonte would happily tweet a response like that about a link with Celtic too. Would Davis be tweeting something like that if it was a link with United or City - I think not

Pinch of salt stuff with the Gabbiadini link I guess given the media source, but compared to some links, he does seem to fit the bill. Don't know much about him, but right age for us and a quick read up suggests he can play any role across the front three and his preference is to cut in from the right, similar to the way Mane was often deployed. Could have legs, although the fact that he has been named immediately makes me think it won't happen!

If we sign the player from a team in this country then yes - shop elsewhere, as we probably will, and we'll probably find a very good player for that value. As an aside, if Villa, Norwich, want to pay that much for McCormack then they need their heads tested

If the Echo are spot on with this, I have to say, I'm starting to feel concerned for the first time this window. Not that we are letting Pelle go, but opting not to replace him is a very odd move? JRod has showed no glimpses that he is anywhere near the player he was, Austin has not been able to stay fit, and Gallagher isn't anywhere near good enough (if he was a signing rather than academy people would be slating him). Equally, I hardly see right back as a priority - it was fine the season just gone and both Cedric and Cuco should be better this year. Redmond is a great replacement for Juanmi, but for me we will now need a new striker, new winger, new powerful holding midfielder and probably a top AM as well, just to be back at the level we were last season, let alone improve as we have previously. Not sure where this apparent tightening of the belt chat is coming from but when there is more money than ever in the Prem, this would seem an odd and potentially foolish move. Caveat - we've been before, we like to do things quietly, let's judge in a few weeks time. Doesn't stop me starting to worry though

Maybe we get to a Wanyama type situation where some of the bigger teams are interested but happy to let us take the chance. then so be it if they have to spend £20m more to sign him in a couple of years after proving himself. personally, happy with that to get a player that looks to have real quality. Hardly a reputable source though - could just be rumours based on Puel being appointed and him being a French league veteran

Really hoping Austin has a strong pre-season, stays injury free and starts off the season bang in form. Would be a great addition to the squad then - we carried him along last season after that superb debut

"Happy, hippy and rose-tinted"? Which part of my "essay" did you disagree with then? That we have a good scouting system? Or a strong academy? Or that we develop the players we buy? That when we do sell we get great money? Or perhaps that we have improved our league position consistently with the current approach? I'm disappointed to see Mane go, he's a real talent and will be tough to replace. But history to date has told us that we will be able to, so until we have seen that we haven't been able to, I'll back the board's decision. You feel free to wallow in despair about the horrendous plight of our club though.

This is a poor piece of work from someone who supposedly understands football. For me it's pretty obvious. We have a great scouting system that picks up players that others maybe haven't or perhaps aren't prepared to move for while they are unproven. This coupled with a great infrastructure, good youth system and ability to bring in decent managers mean that for a club of our size and status, we consistently perform well in the league, give those players a platform to flourish and upset a few of the big boys along the way. Come the end of the season, those unknowns or players who weren't worth the gamble are now very much proven and while they cost more, are now very attractive to the big boys, who in turn are working with much bigger budgets to pay huge transfer fees and wages as sell a story of real opportunity (trophies, CL, status etc). In the end, the money is too much for us to turn down unless it is deemed business critical (eg. refusing Morgan leaving first time round after all the other sales) and we have confidence that with the huge fees, we'll continue to reinvest well and continue to improve our performances as a whole. Also, forcing players to stay is not usually conducive to getting good performances from them thereafter, dependent on that player's own character. In short, we are victims of our success. And I'm happy with that - I'd rather be doing what we're doing than be messing about in the lower reaches of the Prem or leagues below. Maybe in the end, the strategy will fail and if it does, fine, we should all question it, but until then, with our progress over the past 5 years or so, I can't complain. Now, let's get the right manager in, make some sensible acquisitions and go again. And cheers to Mane, the Villa and City hatricks and the comeback goals against Liverpool will live long in the memory. Liverpool especially (even if it did effectively seal your departure)

Partey from Athletico? Have we had a Ghanaian before? Can't think of any

Berahino? Great talent, terrible attitude. Hardly think this site is gospel, but ultimately, if he did come and we got him playing to his potential, he's an exciting player. We'd get a couple of good seasons out of him before he decided he was too good for us I expect, which is pretty standard these days. http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2016/06/28/west-brom-transfer-news-southampton-want-to-replace-sadio-mane-with-saido-berahino/

Not saying I particular want either, especially as part of a Mane deal, but journeymen? Ibe? He's 20