S-Clarke

I saw some chat on twitter, it was in Marca, who said we'd tried and failed with a loan deal for Atletico Madrid's right back, Nahuel Molina, which would be quite frankly ludicrous. I fail to believe it even happened.

Their academy players are top notch. Ben Nelson, Wanya, Mcateer, Monga - they won't miss any of their players, that cohort of academy players are top level.

El-Khannous replaced him.

Their move for Mcatee is probably more relevant in their pursuit of Fernandes. That probably sticks a pin in that one.

Nothing will happen, as per last year. Count me surprised if it does. They'll sell some players this window for big money, then go and buy some good players or bring some on loan, and you'll hear nothing more about it. Until next summer, when the PSR reports come out that they breached it 'this season', and then rinse and repeat basically.

The issue we have is that he likes width, he wants players hugging the touchline and providing width high up the pitch. In light of us not having any useable wide attackers, or attacking midfielders in general of that ilk, he's having to push Suguwara and Manning/Wellington into those roles, so as they're more advanced it will require a little more cover at the back and players who can pull back to the full back slots. That's my take anyway. He's already said he's flexible and works with what he has, and what we see today isn't the team he see's later on in the season. I think it's a necessary evil due to our lack of actual decent attacking midfield players, and thus will probably continue until we sort that.

I don't think we've ever used him in the right way, the closest we've come to doing so was against Northampton as he was playing off of a 'big man' - but I still think he needs to be 'closer' to the striker, and not hugging the touchline. He was at his best when he played up close with Akpom at Middlesborough, and fed off of his strength and knocks ons. His movement in and around Akpom also opened the space for Akpom to score stacks of goals. In the right setup, I believe he's useful - but we just haven't fully played him in that environment yet. I think he's a typically 'buzzy' forward who makes good runs in and around, but playing up front on his own or out wide is never his game. He's also not helped by the lack of quality wide players to support him, all of which I hope we'll sort in the next few weeks. I still see a place for Archer here, but we need to help him. He's not perfect and his touch isn't amazing, but he can still be an asset as he's proven at this level.

Yep, that's true. What I can see in the differences between Matty and Dibling, is that Dibling has clearly told the club he wants out and he wants to leave. Matty is more than happy to stay and isn't busting a gut to leave, thus he's still involved in the team and training. Obviously Dibling is entitled to his own needs and wants, but as a club we also have to protect ourselves and that means pulling him and avoiding him getting any injuries. I don't think he's 'out of it' because he's causing a fuss, it's more down to the fact that he is a mega-million pound asset who wants to leave, so we've got to protect him and ensure we maximise what we get for him. He will be sold, and we'll replace him - probably with Rudoni and someone like Tom Fellows.

Reminds me of the Gakpo situation, he stayed with PSV thereafter.

I guess part of my feeling towards Downes has been soured due to his mid-season strip last year, once his boyfriend left. I didn't feel that was a good look to be honest. I struggle to trust his commitment after that, that's why I wouldn't be against a sale.

Not totally convinced that Downes works in our potentially high-press/high energy team. He seems like your typical crab footballer. Charles, Rudoni with Fernandes more advanced could work better. Rudoni has more energy about him, but less defensive discipline. If we scrap the 3 at the back, we could go with Charles, an-other, and Rudoni - with Eduard and Fernandes floating in those attacking zones.

Yeah, of course, it's Will Still on the end of the phone making up the valuations. Nothing to do with the club or DoF, no. All the manager. Seriously, they should have never dumped off the old lot. Dawson, Sidwell, Morrison - utter shambles. Awful bunch.

Nice find! I didn't have the patience to find it hopefully we see this bumped a bit more often this season.

They still need to make at least 1 big sale this window to bring themselves back inline with PSR in 'this' financial year, which will then allow them some flexibility in the market. Without 1 or 2 more 'big' sales, they can't move. Everton won't pay what they want for Fatuwu, so it will probably be El Khannous who leaves as he has a fixed release clause - under £30m I believe.

Hopefully someone fancies finding that ''Portsmouth lose at home, Southampton win away'' thread. Been a long time.

That Wrexham game was mad. 3-1 down on 90mins, drew 3-3 and won on pens.

I mean after, what, 90mins - that's a crazy conclusion to come to. I've heard not giving players a chance, but this is all a new level.

The quality up against him wasn't great, so he wasn't tested hugely. His passing is what irrates me though, puts us into trouble so much. He cannot ever seem to find his own teammate.

I mean, Fernandes can also do a 10. I wouldn't discount us continuing with Fernandes and having Rudoni too. We'd just have a really strong attacking base. (still need to improve the wide areas). What I would say though, if we get Rudoni and keep Fernandes, that almost certainly equals the end to that Eduard move - if it was ever on in the first place.

That's what I'd call him, yeah. A more attacking Downes, or an upgrade on Smallbone if you like.

I think he'd rotate with Downes, and potentially start in a 3 if we ever reverted to that (and dropped the 3 at the back crap). He's more energetic than Downes I'd say, more of a goal threat from late runs. I wouldn't call him a 10, defo a CM with an attacking upside.

He puts in an effort, he just can't pass the ball accurately enough. Definitely wouldn't compare him to BBD, at least Suguwara looks like a professional footballer.

Would be a really smart signing, Championship ready (one of the best Championship players in his position) and a PL upside to him if coached properly - he's still only 23/24. One of the midfield signings I wanted us to make, we defo need cover in the CM area.

Standard early season cup game really, the only memorable one in recent years has been that 8-0 away at Newport. They're always pre-season friendly-esque, just like this one really. Nothing to really talk about, other than what we already know. Archer has such a poor touch, and BBD is simply not a professional footballer. He reminds me of the centre forwards you see in Sunday league games, I'm not kidding either. How can we get rid of him? Anyway, next round.

Pushed them up much higher, moving it quicker in the final third. This comm keeps mixing up all our players too. He's called Suguwara THB, and Fernandes Suguwara a few times already.