Saint Charlie

He broke our bid for Wanyama which was true (I think he has good Celtic contacts though). Re Cortese, he has no reason for a grudge, and his comments were plausible as an opinion. Gets most his info from Agents and a few Managers I reckon. Plus, Managers would know which teams were close to other players as they might has also asked about them. Nixon has more sources than most in that game.

Admitted he knew little about the other deals we did, rather than pretend he knew all along. Would listen to a story of his more than most anyway. Especially compared to shysters like Crook.

He definitely had a scoop with Clyne, broke that story. Also Jay Rod I think. Plus Mayuka also. He is certainly a lot more ITK with certain clubs over others but that goes for many Journalists. At least he is interested in things outside the top 6 PL teams and interacts with fans.

Good. In any case, TP (or ARP) won't be the new Passion/Set Piece Coach at Staplewood. Or at least not that I know of. Wouldn't suprise me if he did appear occassionally to observe training as many out of work coaches do, seeing as he is based down the road in Christchurch.

Like employing Terry Paine as Honorary President?

His actual initials would be ARP anyway, but he is commonly known as Tony Pulis hence using those intials, which he uses himself. I am comfortable with the stance I have taken re the use of his common initials rather than his technically correct initials.

Probably Shelvey's Agent.

Ha - Liverpool are getting rid of Shelvey for £6m to Swansea, good business that.

Yes. We have an official taxi driver for SFC on the Forum. Its moved on since your day pal. So should you.

Just an ITK hunch on this one. With someone of that style as a passion coach our glass ceiling is removed IMO. Hopefully doing some set piece drills today. Not Pulis however, but a coach will be doing some passion drills throughout pre season.

He is probably still in Kenya. Or in the Hilton, Cardiff.

From what Im hearing this might not be overly far-fetched. Will be interested to see the OS Gallery of the first day of training...

Ha - that was class. It was at the Limehouse and rumour has it he got fired.

Its financial reasons most players choose clubs, especially those outside of Europe. If he goes to Cardiff its because they have offered him the most, if he comes here its because we have.

First day back at Staplewood today.

Not really sure when he would actually play. And seeing as he isn't and never has been a left back he isn't an upgrade on Fox. For RB I guess it depends how highly Calum Chambers is rated. Perhaps he will be the cover this season.

Wonder if we have any triallists training with the squad today? Maybe Valery Mezague again?

Ha, so true.

The difference being that most of those weren't released on a free aged 22.

Another 2/3 of the Lovren stature would do fine!

We looked at him last summer. Apart from coming through Barca's academy Im not sure he is all that. Pretty sure some of the reports on here last summer weren't overly favourable.

Did you make that up or it's genuine?

Sky saying West Ham bid 10m for Bony. Would make a decent partnership with Carroll.

Sounds like we have moved on anyway.