Saint Charlie

10 goals and 10 assists for a midfielder is a pretty unrealistic expectation. Maybe someone like Silva might get close but not many. Otherwise, fair point and we don't really have anyone to fill that role which is why Mane, our best player by a distance, is there. We just need to set the side up better for him to be successful and for us to still look solid. If thats playing a slightly lopsided midfield then so be it.

http://talksport.com/football/transfer-news-every-premier-league-club-ranked-net-spend-summer-2015-transfer-window-so-far

He isn't going on loan anywhere. Source: Januzaj on the radio earlier.

Only Saints, Chelsea and Spurs have made a net profit this summer. Another good window for the books, even with van Dijk or another CB signing we will have spent net £10m, which when combined with last summer means a profit in the last two years which is healthy, especially with the TV money we have and will rake in. Whilst we have fewer saleable assets now, the squad still has good value and the finances of the club must be better now than ever before.

I would put Pelle in personally

He said today he doesn't want to go on loan. Plus he started their last game so chances nil IMO.

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/eng/norwich-joins-southampton-in-race-for-koulibaly-the-details-of-the-offer/

Spot on for me. The likes of City, Swansea, Liverpool etc play that system well because they have a quality player in our Davis position, who is capable of scoring, assisting and dropping into shape when needed. Davis isn't a goal threat, Mane is, so understandable we want to get him involved as much as possible, but playing with him is more 4-4-1-1 as he doesnt drop in and make a CM three when needed in the way Davis does. Other option is be a little lopsided and have Mane loosely playing left but drifting in very often, Tadic firmly right and Pelle up top but we three CMs behind who can cover out wide when Mane moves centrally. That could be the best option once Bertrand and Clasie are back. If we had a Barkley type player they would thrive in the Davis role, and also add more balance to the side, but we don't have any naturals in that role.

Evertom now set to sell Stones.

Times today says Hull and Derby want Reed on loan. Surely nothing happens til Clasie is back.

To be fair, the only reason we would sign two more CBs is if one of them was going. We don't need 5, especially not 5 who all think they should be starting, plus Martina. Will be amazed if its not one or the other of Koulibaly and VVD.

Thought Bournemouth passed the ball well to be fair. Lots of nice one touch play and Gradel and Daniels had a good partnership down the left. Possibly lacking in both boxes but not as poor quality as you say IMO.

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/17/chris-sutton-says-celtic-should-demand-20m-for-virgil-van-dijk/

Clyne quality on and off the ball so far. £12m a bargain for a player of his age and quality.

With VVd as well we would have too many CBs. It will be one or the other. We have midfielders to cover Wanyama.

That it won't happen.

I know we all love VVD but is Koulibaly better, worse or about the same? Certainly having played for Napoli last year has better league experience.

Nothing much to see til 26th/27th Aug, although Celtic loss versus Malmo surely helps even if slightly.

Squad is plenty good enough to have a good season, especially with the CB signing we know will happen and return of Bertrand and Clasie. Just need to firstly have a better shape than Saturday and secondly, have individuals play better - which we know they can. Too soon for mass panic.

Same issue as Everton and Newcastle, awfully balanced team IMO with too many attackers with no defensive instinct. I would play as close to the starting midfield as possible and get them into some rhythm. 4-3-3 but with a proper midfield three.

Spurs hoping to sign Berahino for approx £20m this week. Decent if understated window for them. Keeping their best players, shipping out overpaid dross and some clever additions.

A few areas to worry more about than Tadic on today's evidence!

Apparently Mitchell put it up on the top shelf when he left and Ross hasn't been able to reach it all summer.

Like we did with Lambert versus Clyne when he played for them? Then when he played for us, with decent coaching and an organised defence it was rarely an issue. A few weeks ago everyone was saying how we had replaced Clyne with someone half the price who was a class player. Reality is he could be class but Clyne already was which is why Liverpool bought him instead of Cedric. Thats the options money gives you.

Overreaction. He just needs time to settle. Yoshida is mediocre at full back and was just as poor as Cedric today anyway so should focus on mastering his own position.