S-Clarke

he's been playing on the right for Palace this season.

saw that on TUI the other day, wasn't sure if to believe it or not though.

Well the majority of palace fans seem to think he could hack it in the premiership, they're probably better placed than most of us to judge his ability. They're even saying he's in their top 3 ''best ever'' centre backs.. he's not just an average championship player.

Fonte has played 2 seasons regular in the chamionship and has been one of the top players at that level - Zak has been good at L1 level (never played in the champ) but very injury prone. I think (from what all the palace fans are saying) that Fonte is a very cultured centre half, he started his career as a striker/attacker - so has very nice ability on the ball and can set attacks going from the back.

oh yeh def, he also said he was ''very happy with the contract''

Just watched his video on Saints Player, he does seem happy to have joined - is sad to have left palace, but believes he can get to the premiership at Saints quicker than any other club that were interested. (even though we're in L1) He also said ''i've seen the ambition, i've seen the project, it's a massive project and i want to be part of it.''

oh yeh, we're still in admin (acording to one of the rags a few weeks ago anyway)

Brilliant. If we were a top championship team i'd be chuffed with this signing, but the fact we are in the bottom half of L1 and we've signed him is amazing! It's not like he was out of favour at Palace or anything, he's been their stand out performer this season. It is a HUGE statement of intent, make no doubts about that. I'm so excited, because i don't think it stops here. More top championship players on their way.

Not going to happen, he has just (well in the last 2 months) secured his new house down here with his partner - why on earh 5 months later would anyone want to up sticks and move to the other end of the country? + you have the fact he cannot play for another club this season. He'd probably cost Newcastle in the region of £3-4m, he's already more than doubled his value by moving here - they wouldn't get him in the £1m region anyway....and i don't think Newcastle are flush with cash to be spending that on a player. Don't panic - let's just enjoy us spending lots of money

is that based on any info? fwiw i have just random actually signed a french RB for saints on my Football manager game....Jean Calve from Nancy. I think that makes me ITK

nope - that was an article from 11am today, which was superseded by an article at 6pm on the same website that said it was ''back on'' after we'd improved his contract offer. done deal imo.

just checked out his myspace site, he's a pretty good singer tbf.

when you say ''DEALS'' - do you mean 2/3/4...?

i've heard of signings being annouced on Saturdays before (i.e skacel) - obviously not avalaible to play, but annouced all the same.

i thought he looked very capable in a few cameo appearances last season, in a higher division. I still think he could do a job at this level...but you wonder if that bad injury he had has restricted his lightning pace...as he didn't really stand out at Eastbourne Borough.

i agree with what you say - i think they'll look at it (so will their agents...) and see that we are a club going places, i don't think either player will be ready for premiership football for another year or so - so really they'd be silly to move to the championship. We probably have more potential than most champ. teams at the moment. I'd like to think that our players are as excited about this quality coming in as we are.

at least we wouldn't need to build a new team for the championship!

This really does look like it's a done deal.

He was really really highly rated when he was at Colchester, he was their star in L1 - he made a move to Birmingham and it didn't really happen for him. Since he's gone to palace (and played more regular) he's been their best player. They all believe he's prem quality and you cannot argue that he is wayyyy too good for L1 - we are living a dream here guys, who'd have thought this last january? crazy world. oh and another snippet, from Wiki (oh yes...) ''''Danns is on the verge of signing a three year contract with Southampton. The fee is believed to be in the region of £950,000. This has yet to be confirmed.''''

From an in the knower on the palace forum. (nothing conrete, but i love idle speculation) http://forums.cpfc.org/showthread.php?t=195122&page=16

Sources in Southampton are suggesting Fonte has passed a medical and agreed terms. Also Danns is due in Southampton over the weekend for a medical after a fee being agreed.

''Spoke to mymate who knows jose, and he said that fonte came to see himto say goodbye. He doesn't want to go but has been forced to go which is a shame. At keast palace will be in his heart'' i'm seeing lots of posts about him not wanting to leave, and being ''forced'' by palace, as we're the only club to have put the money up. i hope he's got the right attitude when he pulls on the shirt...

i'm excited..!

wow, he's a very highly rated player up there.

lol i love this one ''This is going to sound like i'm WUMing you but i'm not. A hairy looking fella in a big black 4 by 4 pulled up outside the "Hungry Horse" and asked him if he could direct him to Staplewood.