egg

What makes you think he's ready for a season in the prem? Personally I think he and us are much better off with him getting another year of championship football than an occasional 10 mins and a few cup games here. Long was decent the season before last, and properly motivated and used he'll be decent again.

25 man squad limit so couldn't happen unless we shipped a few out.

That we do agree on. He drifted through the game. Loose passing, seemed disinterested and couldn't wait to get off the pitch. Blatantly overlooked on the overlap by Redmond a couple of times too but I'm not sure if that's down to Redmond not getting his head up or I'm reading too much into it. Either way, if that's what we can expect until the next window I'd rather see a committed Targett and McQueen fighting for the LB role.

Hilarious. I assume you were there? No they didn't walk through the middle but they set up with noble in the middle, a kid plus one other who was so anonymous I can't remember who he was. They were never gonna walk through any midfield, let alone our 2 plus Davis, Gabby dropping off, the wide men tucking in and the full backs pushing on. Our set up nullified them (most of the time) not the new boy. He did the long hem though by the number of times he gave the ball to them. Today he wasn't great but will hopefully improve.

I wasn't impressed. Poor distribution unless he gave it 3 yards sideways. Sure he was rusty but clasie or hjoberg would have been no less effective today.

Agboolaesque. With huge potential to improve. Will be out captain for sure and England player within a year.

He was bang average imo in that game but there's definitely a proper player there. What impressed me though was his attitude. Didn't stroll about but put a shift in and spoke to the youngsters and was a leader in the middle.

We clearly need a no 10. I'm struggling to think of anyone better who's probably available on a season long loan. He'd improve our starting 11.

He'd be a great signing. Can't see it, but would be a good addition.

Little looks better imo. Barnes dangerous and the kid Bakary decent too.

That's not my point. If they offer significantly more than anyone else we'll take their money. Principles will disappear if there's another £5m on the table.

I find it astonishing that people think that we won't take Liverpool's money if they come in with a bid that's much higher than the next best bid.

No chance imo but him in front of Romeu and the new guy, and behind Gabbi would be superb. Let Redmond, Tadic, JWP and Boufal fight for the 2 wide spots whilst putting pressure on Barkley. Would be a huge upgrade on Davis.

Agreed. Rather than multi function players who won't improve our first 11 we need specialist players to improve us where we are weak. Personally I'd like a proper attacking midfielder to play behind the striker. 3 strikers are enough and I'd happily lose long if it means bringing in a decent attacking midfielder and making do with what we have out wide and up top.

My comment that you quoted was in response to someone saying that we need one player who can do a job up front, as a 10 and out wide. I asked who he had in mind.

I'm with you on this. Gardos arrived a good international CB. Sure he's been injured but there's no reason why he's now not back to his best. How good that best is we don't really now but we paid good money for him at the time which suggests that we thought highly of him. I'm worried about Bednarek though, he has a long way to go.

Gray wouldn't improve us imo and isn't the 7,9,10 and 11 rolled into one that the fella was saying we should sign. King is a great 9 and I'd take him in a heartbeat but I reckon he's well out of range now.

For me, yes. We've progressed beyond wanting players who can do a job in many positions. Long can so a job in a variety of positions, but on last year's form none of them very well. We need players who can improve the team in a specific position. We have JWP who's best position is unclear, ditto Boufal, PH and others. We've experimented in pre season with Austin as a 10. I want players who will have the ability to improve the team. Sure, good players can adapt to different roles but show me a player who is available to us who would improve us up front, in the hole and out wide.

You're not after much from one player!! Any suggestions of who?

I got as far as it's Les's fault that he tied our best player to a long contract and that Liverpool then acted like ****s. Bad man Les, should have seen that coming. Ffs.

Yes. With a heavy heart - I hate employees holding guns to employers heads and I'm worried what message giving in to the little **** sends to other want away players. However, we need to strengthen and don't need a bad apple around the place. Leaving him to rot does us no favours, and neither does attempting to force a reluctant player to reintegrate. On balance I say cash in and move on.

Talented lad for sure. Great defender, as was Watson and Svensson. What Alderweireld and VVD (like Wright) have is the ability to defend like a CB should, but also play. Hall would have been brilliant and we'll never know how good he could have been (ditto Richards) but I never saw a great footballer in him, just a very good defender.

Agreed. Just. Mark Wright was superb and the best centre half I'd seen in a saints shirt before VVD. Alderweireld was the best since him. In between them, Richards, Svensson and Dave Watson were brilliant.

Thanks. Any clues on whether these are first team starters or squad players?

Yep. Giving an apology for doing something that they had permission to do makes no sense whatsoever.