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Sounds that way, but why would he expect to play in the prem when he can't even be available to play anyway?! He probably didn't realise he'd have to take such a large pay cut to join a Scottish team and had burnt his bridges with us a bit...! Now watch us sign someone who's never been injured and does his ACL in the first match.

For a nominal (undisclosed) fee. We better have a massive sell on!

He'll probably get a chest infection before that one!

What about Harwood-Bellis and Max Alleyne? I'm not sure if the Alleyne rumour will come to much, but would make sense to get him back on loan to the Championship, and to us. He'd be an upgrade on Wood, who I don't mind, but doesn't seem as natural on the ball as some.

Interesting if true. Would be one of their best players (for the third of the season he plays). Sounds like his agent has potentially dropped one here though as doubt he'll get anywhere near his salary with them than here.

Seems like a complete waste to even sign him in the first place. Is pretty tiny (from what I recall of the Valenciennes highlights) so probably had to be very good to have the potential to make it here. Unless we have a big sell on, why do we bother?

I missed your response, but this was exactly my thinking!

I thought the whole thing of Stewart leaving was that he had a very high salary for someone who was only available half the season and can't complete 90mins, and that ditching him, and potentially selling Archer would allow us to buy a star fit starting striker (in addition to Larin). I like Ross as a player and a person, but there'll always be a big question mark as to whether he's fit enough. The other way to think is that we really need Downs to come good - maybe with someone like Larin around helping him, he might have a chance if he's kept around?! I'm assuming Brereton-Diaz is off and that Oyekunle and Dipepa aren't really ready for regular first team football.

How have they not concluded and just said "they've been punished, case closed" sort of thing? Is this just dragging on due to relentless pressure from Gibbo / Boro again?! Just seems crazy when there's so much wrong with the world that something silly like a team (getting caught!) spying on opponents for a game is made to be the worst thing ever...

I was going to say he's good from 6 yards, but no evidence of much else (including his miss against us last season), and then he scored that screamer for the last goal!

Are you sure you dont mean Justin Devanny from Crystal Palace (who we were linked with last week)? If not, that feels like a bit of a come down from a semi-regular at Palace to some kids who's played 13 games for St Mirren.

Plus he plays international football, which our other central midfielders don't so doesn't get a "rest" then.

He's barely been given a chance, but probably needs regular game time. I thought he looked pretty decent (quick and obviously good in the air), but not quite good enough to be a starter. What's happened to Kayi-Sanda (sold to us as France's best upcoming centre back...)? Thought he also did look promising.

Or we've got someone better lined up? It's not like we don't have a manager or won't be one of the biggest clubs in the Championship next season. I'm sure Neil would be a good player in Scotland, but was decidely average last season for Ipswich (worse than any of our current midfield options) so not sure we should feel we've particularly missed out.

Big money for Stoke - around the same as their total outlay the past couple of seasons. They've also signed a couple of other players for fees, so either expecting some big departures (do they have anyone worth a lot?) or the new financial regulations are helping them a bit.