hypochondriac

Agreed. Loads of quality keepers would jump at the chance of playing every week in the prem even if it's a loan. I'm still holding out hope until told otherwise.

If you follow some American commentators they say mental things like that all the time. I expect it's effective at rubbing off onto the general public as evidenced just now.

Agreed with almost all of that apart from the ridiculous catastrophising at the end.

TBF we had the 9 out of 10 squad two seasons ago and we were fecking shit. Maybe solid and underwhelming is better than flashy but unstable.

I'm holding judgement until we know definitively he's first choice. If he is then the club have shit the bed.

Doesn't sound definitive to me from the quotes.

Have you considered the possibility that we had some sort of agreement with kwp that if he gave us a season we would let him leave with our blessing?

Well I'm fine with that. Two top quality loans can be as good as signings as proven by the likes of Broja.

Can't disagree. Will be interesting to see how we do. No doubt our moral and team ethic will be light years ahead of two years ago but I'd say we are a fair bit weaker in key positions. Midfield we are a lot weaker in particular and most likely in attack too unless Stewart is a revelation. If we strengthen the keeper, replace kwp and bring in another defender then I'd be confident that we'd be better at the back so then the question will be if our team spirit can lead us to be a better collective.

I do wonder if we would look to replace Manning and Bree who I don't think are really up to it. I'd also question if Smallbone, Lallana and Aribo would be sufficient in that area. I aonder if we'd look to bring in a utility player who could do a job across the back line also.

I agree. I think at this point though we have no choice but to go all in for Downes if he has signalled he's willing to return. He's a known quantity and we can't be taking risks in that particular position. If we were forced to take a punt with someone else and it didn't work out that's basically us relegated straight away. If we get an underwhelming fullback you can imagine we'd be able to cover it somewhat even if we played a cb out of position for example.

Lol. If you think we aren't getting an Adams replacement as a bare minimum then you're laughing. I understand we don't have loads of cash to splash but you're insane if you think we don't have at the very least a few tens of millions to spend as required. Not a chance are we not strengthening in attack.

I agree that fullback are important. The position Downes has however is the most important.

Maybe I misread it but that was what I believe it said.

No I mean it says we will be paying cash to the hammers as well as kwp.

The rumour is it's cash plus kwp for Downes.

Yep. His time here shows he wants to be playing football. Maybe being a squad player at a big club isn't that appealing. Fair play if so.

Even if he is overrated he's still their best player. Two possible points deductions, new manager and little ability to strengthen. Looks grim for them.

The other thing worth considering although we don't like to think about it. If we do go straight down we should hopefully have some decent championship players who won't be looking to leave immediately for better offers which should mean less upheaval.

To be honest I'd take that. Right backs are more replaceable than the role Downes plays in our system.

Do people forget some of the dross we had to make up the squad last time we had just got promoted? We aren't going to get top class expensive players in every position, we need enough to avoid relegation and getting in experience is obviously important.

Be honest. You have no fecking idea do you?

If Trump wins the the primary reason is the Democrats failing to be even vaguely competent. They will only have themselves to blame.

I'm not suggesting him, American commentators were.

Looks like Trump can add the charge of elder abuse to his rap sheet.