The Kraken

Just some examples off the top of my head. We were linked at one stage with Robert Huth and Jonny Heitinga; no idea how much they were being talked about for so don't know if we could have affored them, but either would have made a fantastic difference to us and I'd have liked us to prioritise a signing of this type (Heitinga was player of the year last season for Everton but now playing second fiddle to Jagielka and Distin). Ryan Nelsen went to QPR on a free; higher wages perhaps but a decent acquisition for a year or two. Norwich signed Michael Turner and Sebastian Bassong; a couple of very decent signings. James Collins has been mentioned already to West Ham; also George McCartney. Ron Vlaar at Aston Villa could yet be a good signing, he certainly looked it at the time. Danny Rose went to Sunderland on a season-long loan, even Nicky Shorey (to Reading) is an example of a back-up left back we'd probably have benefitted from in the short term. The type of defender we could have brought in isn't going to be a world beater; and admittedly not one to make people say "wow, what a signing" in the way that Ramirez was. And I fully expect people to scoff at some of the names I've listed; maybe they would have worked, maybe they wouldn't. But its fair to say that pretty much all of those listed would be a step up from the basic error-ridden pair of Fonte and Hooiveld (Yoshida hasn't had nearly enough time at centre-back yet to form any realistic opinion of him), and would have solidifed to some degree an area of the pitch where we are very much at our weakest.

Yoshida was at fault for at least 1 goal on Saturday; arguably two (4th goal he put his head in his hands when it went in). He has shown that he is demonstrably terrible at left back and shouldn't play there ever again. Dickson or Reeves are the only viable options and can't do any worse than the shambles of Yoshida.

Not as a full back though; he's been horrendous when put there.

Tottenham have currently got Kaboul, Vertonghen, Gallas, Caulker and Dawson on their books. All five are infinitely better than anything else we have at centre back.

But why do that when its glaringly obvious that we need a spoon with Premier League experience.

There's no need for Pompey fans to pretend to be fackin scummahs; we let you lot on our board anyway. Saying that, it didn't stop Corp Ho (Banker from POL) masuerading as one of us (in addition to racking up thousands of posts of his own). So you never can tell with you lot. What is an "openly Pompey", by the way?

He was actually on the radio the other day, whoring himself out and saying that he was waiting for a big job to come his way. The short-arse little c*nt.

We've just had an international break; how much more rest does he need?

Is he really worse than a right footed centre back playing at left back?

I just hope he's not thinking of Guus Hiddink.

I think we need a settled side; that would be a start. And then we need a clean sheet. Or a game where we only let one goal in!! Apparently in every game we've played we've been behind at some point; that also needs to stop. From a side huge in confidence we're rapidly becoming the exact opposite. Anything against Spurs has to be a complete positive. But yes; with Demba ba's own goal today he became Sunderland's second highest scorer for the season!

I met Peter Shreeves once; I was in the directors box at Watford and he was in there. Absolute sh*t of a man; and even pulled out the "don't you know who I am" card (apparently he'd had trouble getting in without his ticket). Gerry Francis' mullet rules him out instantly for me; Dave Pleat is a worry too, he'd probably be straight on the phone to Avram to find out about Colden Common's more salubrious areas.

Whatever you do, don't tell us who it is.

Did you see his hair?! It was absolutely hilarious.

Terry Venables must still be available. What a coup he'd be.

Perhaps not; but its where any side looking to consolidate in this division should sort out first. I'm still amazed our transfer activity was so lop-sided; £10M for 2 strikers to add to the first choice one and then try to shoe-horn into one central striking position. And £12M for another attacking midfielder (when Lallana had seemingly been moved into that same central role). Being defensive-minded is not a concept we seem to be able to embrace; at all.

Hopefully also someone old school Italian who knows how to coach and implement a strong defensive unit.

Well it is your job to say, until we sign someone else in January. Until that happens there is no-one better in the squad than Fox to play left back.

£10M on strikers who aren't first choice (or at least shouldn't be); and playing a rigid 4-3-3 that only allows for one central striker. Barmy.

Did he? If that's the case why did he say he wanted to "bring in one or two centre backs to improve the side"?

STOP using so much bold.........................it doesn't make your posts CLEARER..........................in fact it makes them MORE confused.

He really isn't.

He'd be a good choice for when we played against better sides away from home and need to be a bit more disciplined and defensively solid.

Apologies That's what happens when I decide its a good idea to login after an evening out drinking