S-Clarke

I honestly can't see us getting both, we're playing our cards close to our chest here. If one doesn't happen, we have another nicely developed deal to fall back on.

He isn't, he's a quality player. I've had a read through Cov fans views on him, pretty much decided amongst all of them that he was their favorite player when he was there. Was the championship LB of the year in 2009 iirc. Burnley are just being a bit bitter, like our fans were when we said stuff like ''good riddance to chambo, we have De Ridder anyway" - when we all know really that Chambo is a cut above.

Nope, we've never had a bid accepted. (not sure where that was said tbh?) Only enquiries at this stage.

I think you weigh it up, £7m now may be a snip for a player of his ability in a few years time. He's tipped by many as a future England striker, so £7m now wouldn't seem to bad if his value rises to £15-20m over the coming years. I think we're building a team for now and the premiership. The likes of Cork, Fox, Lallana, De Ridder and potentially Jay Rod are all potentially premiership quality IMO. Keep that lot together once promoted and we could end up staying up without needing to spend zillions. ...and we'd have a young British heart to the team. Seems a sensible way to go about it IMO.

The negotiations between us and rovers went on over the weekend, Rickie knew about it and still played and scored for Rovers (great attitude from him tbf). But the deal couldn't be announced until Monday.

Rmour on the Burnley forum that we've gone back with an improved offer - up to £7m. "It sounds about right to me, Southampton certainly want him and I believe Jay's received an offer from Southampton similar to Fox and Cork, ie far too good to turn down. Why would they not come back and increase their £5m offer, money no object to them."

Maynard it is then.

We're the team weakening our rivals. We could knock Burnley out of the race by getting Jay. That's 3 key players we've nicked from them, they must love us.

2nd. Enjoy it, we're one of the most exciting clubs to support in the country at the moment.

Leicester are now pushing for Robbie Keane, so it seems as if their targets have indeed changed.

I'd be very surprised if we see much of Jaidi as a regular this year, very much a squad player. I expect our back 4 options will read.....Fonte / Martin / Jaidi and A new signing

Great plan - Young, hungry, talented British players down the spine of the team - buy them now, let them grow and improve with coaching and hopefully when we're in the prem we'll have a team of potential England internationals. It makes so much sense, and may even reduce the need to spend stupid money to retain our status.

that would cost us up to £10m to get both of those, taking our spending this summer to around £13/14m unreal

It's a sign! (and is this forum really dying for a 2nd round cup draw...?)

I don't think he will, you don't pay 12m+ up front to have a player sitting in the stands. With the imminent departure of Nasri and Cesc, he will be a regular next year IMO.

*convinced

Also, what we're doing now is what we did in L1. We targeted the best league 1 striker we could get, and pulled the rabbit out of the hat with Lambo. Everyone sat up and took notice of that. Our intentions are to do the same this year, I'm pretty convicted by it. Excited too.

What a wonderful day.

There was no plan to sell Alex, we didn't want to sell and we didn't need to. Things have been going in the BG irespective of Chambo's situation. Fact. (listen to Adkins on that)

Yes.

I think he see's Dicko as more of a LM, rather than a LB.

We want to compete, but Promotion isn't the be-all and end all this year. It's about assembling (and retaining) a squad of players that can challenge at the top of this league, and have the potential to grow into premiership players - so they can be together for a long period of time. We followed this method to the letter when we were in L1, and we're doing it again now. We'll give it a good go this year, for sure - but if we don't make it this time round I won't start crying, I'll just look forward to our title challenge next season!

Sod it, let's buy all 3.

How is he 5th choice????? All the 4 midfielders will play an even amount of games this year IMO - Deano and Cork will be the preferred 2, but all 4 will play quite a lot.