S-Clarke

Not just you, I was trying to figure out who that was at first. Thought we'd signed Hamsik

Only 5 players have returned FFS 😉

Decent player at that level against those sorts of opposition.

He went out on loan for season number 2. They've got him until 2021.

I wonder how interested we ever were in Upamecano? He was heavily linked in Ralph's first window with us, but I'm not sure if that was just former player rumour. He really is an elite defender though, same level as VVD.

I keep seeing Poch mentioned, but how was he even an option? He's Espanyol through and through! There's no way he could have managed Barca, he's a very loyal bloke.

There's nothing stopping us from offering him a deal, and then allowing him to speak to Fulham as per the agreed fee. I suspect that's what we've done and he's probably weighing up his options IMO. If I was him, I'd go to Fulham. He's a main starter there and could be seen as a key player in the PL for a side just promoted. He'd still be on the side lines here initially and he would have to work himself in. I think he's played that role for long enough and he deserves his break as a guaranteed starter in a team.

I remember he was deployed at LB at the start of the season, and he looked full of it - power, pace etc. But absolutely hopeless positional sense. That didn't change, and he was never used at CB because he was a disaster in his natural position at this level. I think he was someone Ralph knew and believed he could polish, but clearly not...if Vestergaard is in front of you then you know you're shit.

Yeah, similar was said for sure. But it was because he was 'too good for the league' and he used to stroll around a bit, according to them He certainly was too good for that league!

We broke the trend on the contracts when we signed Lemina, Boufal and Carrillo straight on big money though. Although I agree, signing on a lower wage with increments as you go along is definitely the best route. Honestly, Reed and Ross need absolutely shooting for the position they've put us in. £75m for VVD and we pissed it up the flaming wall and put ourselves in the shit. In that period we were the worst run club in England, IMO. To cock up £75m income to the rate we have takes special skill.

It's certainly a good news pre-season so far. This was mooted before in the Daily Telegraph article I think, where they mentioned JWP too. Been waiting for the official announcement on this, so it looks imminent now we're all back in pre-season.

There's clearly some interest in him, multiple sources have hinted at it for a good few weeks now. I just think any further transfers rely heavily on our ability to move players on, and as mentioned above this may be to do with wages more than transfer fees - maybe.

Interesting on Weston McKennie, possibly suggests Reed is off. Maybe we can get some dollar for Lemina and Hoedt as well. I imagine Ralph knows Weston quite a lot from his time over there, he seems his type of player in terms of playing style. I know Carl Anka didn't rate him and that it's self has put people off, but if Ralph thinks he can do a job for us then I have the upmost confidence in that decision.

Maybe Hoedt can convince Koeman that he's what Barca have been missing? Dutch player and all that.

I did debate this myself, fear of losing my seat etc. But the chances of us being able to sit in our existing seat this year are small to say the least, IMO. I don't think we'll have maximum renewals or purchases after this month tbh - so you'll prob be able to get the same seat next year, yeah it's a risk for sure and I'm thinking the same, but the chances are quite higher than usual in that we'll get that seat back.

Geoffrey Kondogbia - absolute beast of a central midfielder, but I imagine much bigger clubs will snap him up.

I think everyone has just been having a break, to be honest. Pre-season has started again now, so we're starting to see the news trickling out.

In my lifetime, I'd have to say the following: Koeman - the most exciting period of my time supporting this club, so many good players, so many wins and some European visits to boot. Poch - Stabilised us as a football team at this level, gave us an identity which was exciting to watch. Strachan - Got us to a final and a finish in the PL in the top half. Great defence and we had a great centre forward, whom he got the best out of. Ralph misses out, just....can't put him in yet, although I have a feeling he may replace Strachan by this time next year. If we're going to talk worst managers... Pellegrino - Absolutely horrific. He had no idea what he was doing, it was like watching Mr Bean try to manage a football team. The players had no respect for him and it showed. Hughes - He kept us up, but he took us backwards the next year. A really dated and ineffective manager in this day and age, I didn't know what he was trying to achieve towards the end. Puel - 8th place and all that, but I must have fell asleep 20 times during that season. Pass, pass, pass, sideways, backwards, on a forward pass...no, backwards again. rinse and repeat. More focused on passing for the sake of passing than actually doing anything with it.

Winners: Liverpool (can't see anyone beating them yet...City still need to do work on their team, as illustrated in the CL) Relegated: WBA, Palace, Villa Top 4: Liverpool, City, Man Utd, Chelsea (no real change tbh) Us: Top half I hope, maybe a sniff at a top 7 finish towards the end of the season - if we keep up the pace Surprise team: Leeds Surprise poor side: Wolves First Sacking: Hodgson (with him moving upstairs as a DoF type) Resignation/mutual leaving - Bourinho.

My top 3 were Redmond v Palace, loved that goal. Ings v Spurs in the league at home - such quality to flick that over Toby. Moussa v Sheff U for my third. Just jinxed past everyone, they couldn't get near him. The Redmond goal v Chelsea would have been my first choice had it not taken a deflection off a Chelsea player before it got to him...that ruined the goal of the season!

It's pretty much what the JPT was, they've had this group stage for a few years, where they invite the 'U23s' of 'bigger' sides to compete. Think we were knocked out by Charlton last year.

Turkish league it is then, Mario. He's technically very good, and he knows it, probably more technical than some midfielders in top teams, but he just has always lacked application and consistency, not through injuries either really. He's an enigma and someone who will ultimately waste his natural talent by floating between clubs.

He's probably their best player technically (in midfield), but he's struggled with commitment at times and has been known to switch off. Technically very gifted though, above the Scottish level without question. I worry he may be another Lemina style player.

To be honest, I think it would take Salisu some time to get up to fitness with the rest of the squad anyway. We were an ultra-fit unit at the back end of the season, it would be surprise to see the likes of Jack or Jan drop off that much during the summer break (may be wrong!). But I agree with LeG, Ralph is shrewd and he'll know exactly what and where we'll need to strengthen, and if he feels one of our starters could raise some funds in order to get a better player for his system, then I'm inclined to trust his judgement. Let's see how it pans out.

It's a bit of a poisoned chalice isn't it? Xavi will probably get it next year when he's 'ready', so in effect he's just in caretaker charge until then! He's their most experienced European manager they've had for a long-while though. It's a really big ask though, that's a very ageing squad and it needs a big overhaul. They tried to evolve with the signings of Coutinho, Dembele, De Jong etc, but they've just not adapted yet. If Ronald can get the best out of those guys, it's a start - there's like £300m worth of player in those 3. Be good to see him in a big job like this, don't have any problems with Koeman, we were lucky to have him for the 2 years we did. He knows a good player when he see's one.