S-Clarke

I've been transported back to 2006 again.

True, the last one I can think of is VVD and that was 9 years ago (where the hell has that time gone?). I think it's also indicative of the changing football landscape and how we've somewhat been left behind financially. From a financial standpoint loans may be all we can really afford, if we want those 'top of the tree' type players (that are out of favour at their current clubs). We seem pretty much set in the 15-20m market and have been since for ever. Defo value to be had in there, but the real top players (VVD's of this year etc) are now north of £25m at best. Will be interesting to see what happens with O'Riley, but it does sound as if we are still playing around in that £15-20m ballpark with him.

He doesn't really seem suited to a Martin team, which is a shame as I like Charly - he's a bit of a maverick, luxury player you could say - the problem is that he gives the ball away loads. I noticed that in the Bordeaux game as well, constantly giving it away. He's a moments sort of player rather than someone you can build a structure around and I'm not sure our style allows us to have 'luxury' players like him tbh. Sulemana is probably in the same mould.

I think you're undermining Flynn's role enormously. He is pivotal to the way we play and build through the pitch, his positional awareness and understanding of exactly what is expected of him in this system make him somewhat priceless.

Confirmed, he stayed at home. Still feel there is more to this than just feeling 'leggy'. Martin continued: "He's had two really good weeks but felt leggy, felt really tired, then we have to travel, be out here on a different pitch, in a different environment. "Maybe it sounds a bit precious and we're going overboard but we have to care for him. For us long term, we need to really look after him. "Ross wanted to be here but then he understands the reason, so he's back there, he's doing a lot of work with the guys to continue to stay fit and be ready.

Wonder if we'll get some truth on this guy soon? Fairly sure he's not in Spain and has stayed behind for treatment on yet another injury, received after 1 day of training I imagine. We were given identical spiel around him and Larios, they won't play games but they'll be involved/get up to speed etc. Larios is clearly visible in training, but Stewart is no where to be seen - he wasn't even watching on with the injured players. Even if he's injured you'd think he'd be there to bond and connect with the group in other ways, that's why it makes me think he's stayed behind because of our facilities to treat a new injury.

Priorities wrong with Downes? He was a critical signing. Had we not got him over the line there would have been pitchforks on here.

He's not a proper striker in the traditional sense, he can play anywhere across the front. If we signed Brereton Diaz we would almost certainly still need a proper number 9, or we'd still be incredibly short.

Think we were linked with this kid, but he's going to Spurs - Tottenham are close to signing South Korean youngster Min-hyuk Yang.

Feels like Bordeaux gave us a bit of a game, need that in pre-season - only our second game. I don't pay much attention to the scores or results this early on, I may start giving it more of a notice when we play Lazio/Getafe, but these early ones are just to build fitness, so I'd avoid reading anything into them like ''we still concede loads of goals'' ''x isn't good enough'' etc.

He's got a bromance with O'Riley, have always kept in contact apparently.

But what about Watermark, and the regeneration of Woolston waterfront? Not to forget the Toys R Us building is about to be demolished. He'd be daft to consider anywhere else. #cityofdreams In all seriousness I think the Martin factor will be a significant pull if we are serious.

Agreed, I'd be absolutley devastated if we were interested in him as a promotion chasing Championship team! An incredibly average lower league player, no more.

Just looked up on the stats - our feelings are right, after he started that QPR game he didn't feature in another league game all season. On the bench for a few, but was never seen in the league again. He had a few moments in the cups, but that was it.

Knew I'd missed one! How did I forget him!

If a club buys RS on the back of his time here then they are absolute nut jobs, more so than us. No club is mental enough, surely. A loan at most is what I could see a club interested in, but even that's a push - the bloke hasn't played a full game in almost 2 years.

it 'SLAMS SHUT' on 30th at 11pm. Our final game before that is Forest at home on 24th. I'd hope we have most of our business done by then!

We didn't buy Ely from Celtic. We got him from Basel I believe, but loaned him to Celtic to get some game time where he did ok. (couple of seasons I think we sent him there). I think 90% of our buys from Scotland have been pretty solid generally. VVD, Davis, Stu Armstrong, Fraser Forster. The worst I can think of is McCann.

West Ham are in talks with Bayern Munich over the signing of right-back Noussair Mazraoui.

I thought SAA started the season well in the Champ, he was blooded right from the start - I thought it was going to be a breakthrough season for him. After a couple of existing sub appearances he got a start against QPR I think, as Tella was off, and he struggled a bit to be fair - but we never saw him in the league again. I thought we saw enough of him in the early handful of games as a sub to suggest he will cause stacks of problems for defenders, you have to excuse young players some bad games though as they're learning. I don't feel as if Russell necessarily trusted young players though, look at how he treated Charles and Charly throughout the season. He prefers experience and know-how in the starting 11's, which is fine and is needed...but I think clubs like us need to also be seen to blood young players and give them opportunities, which I don't think we do enough of anymore. Our young players are clearly good enough as they have stacks of interest, it's not like we've got a team of Jake Vokins or Jake Sinclairs trying to get into the 11 - they're of much higher quality.

Fair, hadn't read the article - was just looking on Twitter. "That will dictate what we do in the goalkeeping department. After what Alex did at the end of last season, I think he's earned the right to be first choice." He continued: "But as I said, if we lose one, and then someone else comes in, you just never know, do you? It's the same for any player in the squad. "No one is guaranteed to play football. We lost out on signing a player last season because I couldn't guarantee that he would play football.

I wouldn't pay much attention to those bizarre Forest and Brighton deals with Newcastle. Massively, massively inflated prices just to get Newcastle over the line with PSR. Definitely some crooked books there I think!

That quote scares the living living bejeezus out of me. This is going to play out just like I feared.

When he played you could see how totally uncomfortable he was with the ball at his feet. Technically awful, really clumsy and genuinely no mobility. He can and will score goals in lesser leagues simply because of his height, I'm sure a few of his goals last year was just a case of the ball bouncing off of his massive torso. Under Sean Dyce Burnley could have made use of him, but in a footballing side he is of absolutely no use what so ever. Not even a worthwhile sub - as I can promise you that Martin will never abandon his passing principles, even if we're trailing at the death.

I guess he looks at a very confused pathway at Saints. If we do something as ludicrous as to buy that Palace youngster, SAA will be the next to pack up shop. When Meghoma was brought in, he had Perraud and Small in front of him at the time - a genuine pathway. Relegation should have provided opportunities, but Manning was brought in and even when he wasn't available, Bree or even Stephens was played that side. This year he'll look at it and see Manning, new addition Charlie Taylor, Wellington potentially coming in January and obviously Larios coming back from fitness. The biggest question to me is wtf is our strategy with these young players? We seem to be doing a Chelsea at the moment, sweeping them up at a young age, with no genuine idea of how we'll play them.