S-Clarke

You're living in the past if you think new signings are solely down to a manager these days. It's something which was derided in the early-mid 00's, but it's crept in to the point where every single club now has a 'Recruitment Panel' of sorts. There's nothing stopping the manager making suggestions what so ever, but signings these days at all clubs are joint efforts by the scouting teams and coaching staff. When you think about how quickly managers chop and change jobs, it's probably a more sensible approach - fill a club with a managers signings and you're setting yourself up for a bit of a mess come the inevitable parting.

Yeah, I like Zouma. Would have been a mainstay in Chelsea's team had it not been for the injuries imo. Stoke have a very powerful defence... I notice Everton were done today at Chelsea, had a quick peak on 'grand old team' and they are already starting to turn on Koeman and comparing him to Martinez, which is odd.

He was a big loss based on his first two seasons with us, but he was utter trash in his last season and not on it at all. I don't miss that Wanyama. Lemina and Romeu are evidence that the club have looked to replace his power and physicality.

He's a defender. What is it with the seemingly catching obsession about moving centre backs into midfield if they can pass the ball.

I wish we were Leicester.

No, because then that would mean we'd have had a totally gash summer. We wouldn't want that would we.

It hasn't though has it. Maybe we should spend £30m on Townsend instead.

Leicester trying for Andros Townsend, up to £28/30m.

TBF, he's a bit of a WUM (maybe 'bit' is underestimating it). Just stick him on ignore, everything is much more interesting once you've done that

TBF, what he said is no different to what any other manager says. When players like Sam Clucas go for £17m, you know you're in the twilight zone. Lemina for £15m, or Clucas for 17m. Let me think for a sec.... There are bargains out there to be had and it's much more rewarding to see them develop, rather than see a £30m signing flop.

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No denying he's a good player, but he's not a huge deal different to what we have with Boufal (if he gets game time). We need more pace and directness to both stretch the opposition and bring our midfield and attack closer (although I still think we're closer as units than we were at times last year)

Didn't run rings around us at all. Their most impressive player, was predictably, Mounie (with his presence) and Mooy in the middle. Kachunga got in behind us on a couple of occasions too.

They'll probably say they're after Alegri or Zindane, and then settle for Dyche.

There's absolutely nothing new in that article at all. More fluff. No revelations. Actually slightly more on the positive side for us, but has a slightly weighted headline. I'd say if he has changed his agent, that's probably a plus in our camp.

The porno brothers strike again.

''Virgil Van Dyk has threatened Southampton that he will not play football for 12 months, and cast huge doubt over his international future, if he doesn't get his dream move.'' Southampton have responded with a strongly worded statement - ''Oh well, **** happens''.

Good for the lad, he was one of them who needed game time in the professional game. Same for Seager.

And a team which scores goals......

Not really sure what that's got to do with it, we played our best stuff and went 2-0 11 v 11. Stupid throw away, but always a deserved win.

West Ham are a bit confusing. Also close to imploding. They'll get better though.

Tadic did actually play two of the more incisive balls of the game, but was too often caught napping and closed down. Looked half asleep on the ***** at times today, similar to Bertrand. Not sure on Ryan, looked pretty miffed at most things, but then was also caught napping himself and looked half asleep. It's ok, he's got international football to look forward to so he can chat with all his mates about how it's better at a big club.

Not sure what he'd have brought to us in the two 0-0's to be honest.

Lots of talk about a number 10, but I think we actually have a presence in midfield now who could help us link together (Lemina). What we could do with, if we are going to sign anyone, is someone with a bit of pace and power who can stretch down the flanks or in behind. An upgrade on Long basically. I think we're getting up to the 3 quicker than we did last year, but once we're there we're not stretching it or getting in behind quickly enough. Will be interesting if the club think the same.

Yeah, him and Davis looked to have swapped roles - Lemina seemed to be operating in the right side of the attacking 3. Looks a real unit, a real presence. Lots to come from him I think, he looks like an instant upgrade on anything we've had in that midfield area for a good couple of years - gives us that extra physicality.