SNSUN

My guess was that Aribo, Downes or Smallbone were supposed to get forward to become the false 9 but it just didn’t work. It might work better with Fernandes but personally I’d rather see us drop Stephens and bring in Archer, especially against teams like Forest or Brentford.

A few windows remain open, Turkey and Saudi are a couple, so still time for outs to them. Tall Paul to Turkey in particular could still happen. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/transferfenster

If Fraser is on a free, am I right in saying he doesn’t need to be signed before the deadline? Or does she need to be signed tonight to be able to register him?

Now I really hope we stay up. We're building a very good team here. Just need to survive this season and hopefully we can start adding more quality to it.

I thought he'd go on loan so a permanent transfer is a bit of a surprise but his contract is running out and the money we're getting is good. Assuming KWP stays we're in good shape there anyway. He may be another Thierry Small or he may be another Bale but it'll be a few years until we find that out. Shame but with PSR it's the sensible thing to do with a short contract.

I guess we're expecting Ramsdale and Cornet over the line, but I wonder if there'll be a surprise "in" and I guess there'll be a few "outs" too. If Russ genuinely considers AA a striker, I do think we need another RW, even with the emergence of SAA and the fact that Cornet can play there but personally I'd rather keep AA as a wide option and bring in another striker. Ultimately regarding the "Outs" I do NOT want to hear of a late move for KWP, even if we have covered his positions. That said I do think the club would entertain decent offers (because we have covered his positions and because of his contract running out) and I do think there may be interested parties willing to make a late move. However surprisingly there's been no mention of a move away for weeks so 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞. I reckon there'll be a few loans out too. I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning go now he's slipped down the pecking order.

If Russ perseveres with a 5 man back line, then Suga, THB, Bednarek, ABK, KWP would be a superb back line for a newly promoted team. Add Ramsdale to that too. I guess it depends on whether anyone comes in for him. Same with TP, although with ABK coming on yesterday, it shows that perhaps he isn't as frozen out as TP is.

I'm working all night, I'll break any news if and when it happens, but will disguise it to look like I'm ITK. 😀 As for Cornet, that's an interesting link, not least because he can play LWB/LB and it seems like we are trying to cover our bases in the eventuality that KWP leaves, but also because as an attacking outlet he's very good, he can play on both wings. WhoScored lists his strengths and weaknesses: + Strengths Long shots Strong Aerial Duels Strong Tackling Strong - Weaknesses Offside awareness Very Weak Maxwel Cornet's Style of Play Likes to do layoffs Fitness appears to be an issue, as it is with seemingly most of the players we sign, but if he stays fit, he can be a real asset. I think I like this link more than I like the return of Fraser TBF. I wonder if it will contain an option to buy...

Keylor Navas is available on a free - great back up.

I liked James when he was here, an academy product with a good engine, always fit and reliable and of course, he had a specific skill, but we've spent the summer building on top of an existing midfield and I feel he wouldn't be the guaranteed starter he used to be, although perhaps he would fit Russ's passing/keep-ball philosophy. He needs to leave West Ham and become a regular starter somewhere but with Downes, Lesley, Fernandes, Lallana, Smallbone, Dibling and Aribo currently all in the squad, I can't see him coming, especially for the money West Ham would want for him. I'd rather spend the money on improving the attack.

Bring back Brooksy to keep him company. Whatever it takes!

Ah the Che Adams play book. Have a hot streak just before a transfer window or contract renewal whilst being very average the rest of the time.

After spending over £25 million on O'Riley, PSR may hinder that. They may get a loan in but likely they'll just keep Gilmour. Sucks for O'Riley though. I'm hoping our lot stay away from injury, particularly Dibling and his invisible shin pads. Thanks. Yes nasty and it looked uncontrolled. Definitely a "lower league" challenge.

Looking forward to his first mislaid pass that results in an opposition goal so I can boo the living piss out of him! 😁🤪 But seriously this is an excellent signing - he's maybe not the sort of Goalkeeper Martin wanted (like Steele or Bijlow, keepers that are super comfortable with the ball at their feet) but he's an excellent shot stopper and takes command of his area and is still young. Maybe this means Martin will take a more pragmatic approach to tippy tappying it around at the back. This is a keeper that should arguably be England's number one. It is an excellent signing in a season where not long ago we thought that McCarthy would be our number one until Baz got back.

Sliding doors moment. Join us, or Atalanta, or even stay at Celtic, and that likely doesn't happen. Poor bloke. I haven't seen the challenge but the guys on TalkSport cannot believe the Crawley lad didn't even get booked. The saving grace for Brighton is that the window is still open... or they hold on to Gilmour who was touted to be sold or loaned out.

The good thing about having another defensive midfielder on board is that Smallbone can operate further forwards, which is more his thing. But with Fernandes and Les on board, with Dibling pushing hard too and Lallana looking like he has something to offer, Will and Joe have their places in jeopardy right now.

KWP TO START!!!!! That's the one I want to see as it means another 6 months at least with the wee fella as the window will be closed by then. Well for English/big European clubs, just a few more around the world we can worry about.

He's bloody 20. I know it's still early days but he looks like he's a Rolls Royce of a player for 20. No wonder Sporting fans were sad to see him go, he looks very good already, nimble, vision for a pass, a good touch and finish. Looking forward to seeing more from him.

This competition is not a priority so another chance for the kids to shine. Winnable.

EDIT - You comedians beat me to it...

Enjoyed that. Even defensive frailties were entertaining. Fair play to Cardiff for making a game of it.

Archer doing what good strikers do, not been in the game much but bang bang

Bosh 5

Well beats penalties...

What a strike Breezy