hypochondriac

I think I'd be surprised if we didn't make the playoffs where anything can happen but automatic seems unlikely at the moment.

Personally I'd take a player who has proven they can work under our current manager and who is most recently in form over a player who performed in this league with different players and teams a few years ago and who has just been relegated and is out of form. I think there would be a noticeable difference.

Indeed you could. And in January I was excited for Onuachu and thought he could save us. Naive fool...

I think not bringing a new striker in before the start of the season would be a mistake and could cost us regardless of who goes.

If it is true how it is being reported, then I'm loving the fact that they are going on our terms. Despite relegation, the way negotiations are being handled - if true - is to be applauded. We are certainly not acting like your typical championship club who seems to acquiesce and have their bellies rubbed as soon as a big club come calling.

I completely agree. I actually think it's more likely if we do get promoted that we go up next year rather than this year because we simply haven't had enough time and there's been too much upheaval. Someone posted earlier in the summer about Burnley having a slow start but only losing a small amount of games all year (was it three?) I would say if we avoid too many early defeats if possible that will give us a good indication of if we're going to have a chance of automatic promotion or not this year. I reckon we will know fairly quickly.

Yes I agree the most likely outcome is that he goes but if we demonstrate that we're not getting pushed around then that's a great thing. If they want him this summer with his long contract it should be 40 million plus imo.

That's true but if Jones had been successful on the pitch we would have been loving his confidence and no nonsense attitude. I do like how Martin comes accross but it's not going to take much to find him intensely irritating if he doesn't get results.

Brilliant news from Adam. I thought the reported fee made no sense when we don't need to sell. I think he will still go but they will have to pay the proper amount. Let's hope we sell Lavia soon to remove some of the financial pressures.

Source?

Source?

The turd that won't flush.

Because that happens all the time. Why on earth would we be pushing Tino out the door for relatively small amounts when we have Lavia or JWP if it came to it that we could sell for double or more what we would end up with for Tino? Lots of players say something to the press and then when it comes down to it, money and prestige talks. Look at Jordan Henderson.

Because he hadn't yet shown he had quality in the Premier league? I'm guessing if he's off to Newcastle he would have been told he'd get a decent amount of game time this year with a view to replacing Trippier. Someone also said that Trippier could be utilised as a lb in the same way that kwp is or he does for Englan

Maybe. Hugely more likely that he's seen that a champions league club are in for him and he wants to go there for three or four times his current wage.

Yes but that is the majority of our decent players. Only really Alcaraz and kwp left from last year after that lot have gone.

Maybe but I think he's the one I really wanted to watch apart from Alcaraz next year. I was excited to see what he could do in the championship. Never mind.

Is that 30 for saints or 30 in total with us getting a piddling amount after Chelsea take their slice? That's a bit disappointing to be honest.

Yes I get that. I just don't think being not so great at dribbling isn't something that doesn't seem to fit in a Martin team. The evidence suggests the opposite.

I remember reading that Martin teams don't do dribbling.

I wasn't disputing that bit.

You said "Bree isn't the best RB in the league". I think many people were of the opinion that he was the best RB in the league last year.

Wasn't he one of the best rbs in the division last year?

You're insane.

The other point with Tino is it's not actually a loss that we will really feel given that he was out for the whole of last year. Obviously would prefer to keep him but it's not the end of the world.