Saint Charlie

Noticed he was back in training this week but the official line still seems to be that he has no future at the club. I guess he will leave on loan somewhere on deadline day?

We don't have any attacking central midfielders apart from Ramirez though, and he obviously has no future at Saints. Haven't really ever replaced Lallana in that respect as Tadic seemingly will only play wide. Wijnaldum would have been ideal for oir CM three judging by his performance against us.

Will go to deadline day or thereabouts I reckon. First PL game (Clasie too) will be WBA.

Seeing as had just got into the Spain squad, surely he would have moved expecting (at some stage) to become a fairly key man rather than a backup?

Surely thats the best way? Have a good team, consistent top 6 finisher, occassionally make the CL and also make a profit?

Jonathan De Guzman available and likely going to Sunderland. Good attacking midfielder who would add goals in the Davis role.

Because we sold a player 6 months ago who could improve our team now. Interesting by way of explanation of what the midfield now lacks. We knew Morgan would go and Koeman obviously isn't totally sold on Reed so I'm suprised we didn't forsee a starting role for Cork this season and I'm not convinced (yet) that Romeu is a better player.

Agree 100%. We all know we need a CB etc but midfield is the biggest problem area. We have good players in there but they aren't setup well at the moment and possibly Wanyama and Romeu are too similar? Has to be said Cork would probably have started every game so far, we definitely miss a central midfielder with a bit of mobility and agility and it seems thats not Clasie either. Ironically, Djuricic would have actually been a decent signing for our midfield as a more attacking version of Davis, as he is a player who can beat a man.

Need to decide what sort of team we are. If long ball, then might as well put Long up with Pelle and be open about it, Long can run the channels and Pelle act as the target. Yoshida LB and Martina RB, beef up the side physically and look to make it a scrap to frustrate the home fans. Caulker a threat from set pieces so he starts and JWP too, purely for his delivery. 0-1 Caulker 62.

Koeman reiterating to Solent. No more players will leave this summer.

Owen Hargreaves saying he thinks the identity of the team has changed and its not really working.

Mostly poor. None of the new players bar Stekelenburg have made any real impact let alone improve us. Too much long ball to Pelle, midfield looks a shadow of last season. Defense looks shaky and not creating much from open play. Ronald doesn't look happy and something missing from the team, drive passion, interest, team spirit? Doesn't look like many are "enjoying their football" or "playing with freedom".

Koeman must be steaming at our start to the season, pretty dismal. Haven't played well in any matches. None of the new players bar Stekelenburg have made any real impact.

Two main negatives for me: 1. Lack of an apparent style of play beyond playing long balls to Pelle. 2. Lack of on field leadership and team cohesion. Lots of new players, not a lot of slick play.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33977457

Long at times is awful!

With 5 players in the starting XI who wouldn't have got a look in last season in the first choice team then it is hardly suprising.

If Ronald has the backing of the baord then it will be rejected as he said on BT Sport that its not about the money, the player simply isn't for sale.

Mail says United are happy with their business but may raise Mane bid to the £25m they expect would allow a deal to happen, and that the player (obviously) wants the move.

Which ones?

Pelle is a good player IMO and I can't believe the stick he gets from certain fans. He consistently scores goals yet people seem keen to get rid or replace him players who aren't proven to be better. Bizarre.

Same as Feyenoord players who are loved there.

He just adjusts the weightings inside the box when Reed tells him to. Has gained 3kg muscle over the course of the window.

Hopefully them going therough doesn't make a difference but it could put the price up maybe.

Romeu is interesting in that he has a heavy weighting 2 but also highlights a new emerging category. "I know the agent of the player..." has been said more than once this summer by Ronald. Not necessarily a bad thing.