S-Clarke

Yeah, I've just had a quick look on there actually. Quite stunned to see how 'meh' they'd be if they signed Bastian rather than Morgan...! Shows how highly Morgan is thought of by opposition fans. They may well get both....what a flaming midfield that would be if they did.

Yeah, he did. Pretty bluntly put that to bed. So has Wilson and Adam in the echo. Unless we're playing the ultimate poker face.

Hmm, interesting developments with Bastian. I personally have always loved him as a player, been a little injury prone the last few years, but easily one of the best midfield players over the last 5-10 years. Up there with the Xavi's/Ineista's for influence on the team. They're putting a hell of a lot of money down for him though, I think he's been there number 1 target all along. Then you look at their options. Fellani, Herrara, Carrick, Bastian, Mata, Blind. They may want Morgan 'as well', but I don't see why. Plenty of good options there. I guess the only thing now is if Arsenal will revive their interest. Vidal seems to be their number 1 target in that position. Man City? they seem hell bent on getting Pogba and will probably put all their energy into that. My worst fear is that we get to the last few days of the window, and a big club panics and throws the money. That leave's us no time what so ever to replace the most crucial component in our team. I think we should set some sort of internal deadline - if they haven't gone in by x date, then sit tight and prepare to be with us again this season. Maybe he will realise that he's not as in-demand as he assumed, seems to be on a lot of clubs lists....but not first choice by any means.

If he could avoid playing like he did at St Mary's last season, then that would be great.

From the oustide, they seem to be having a bit of a nightmare window. Missed out on Cedric, Konopylianka (sp) and now moved on from Shaqiri. And they've sold N'Zonzi and Begovic. Replaced him with Given and brought in a loan from Chelsea who the jury is fully out on. As it stands, they are weaker than last year.

And also, it puts to bed all the shouts that we should have had this done in January, or earlier in the season. The deal in place with Madrid was that we could only sign him in the summer window - once they had looked at their options, there was never at any single point, any opportunity to sign him during the season. But seemingly we did all we could in that time with the groundwork.

Not sure you'll get many minutes from Crouch or Dyer - he's more of a bit part player at Swansea these days. And who knows how many games you'll get out of Chambo or Shaw, guaranteed a spell out every season. I'd be tempted to throw in Mane and Bolasie.

Not sure what's so hard to understand here (for some posters). Toby told the club he wanted to stay, they'd provisionally agreed terms. They trusted his word, and maybe if they're guilty of anything, it would be over-trusting - but that's not really a stick to bat anyone with. As we thought we'd had his word, we wanted to make sure we could get the best deal possible. If we felt we still had a chance of getting him for 6.8m, then of course we're going to pursue it. If I thought I'd have a chance of getting a car 50% cheaper, then I'd pursue it before parting with 35k - even if it was at the risk of losing out, it's just sound business sense. When it became clear that it would drag it out too long, we went into the open market and had a bid accepted. By this point, Toby had already agreed to go to Spurs. What came out of Koemans mouth on Monday was true, as at that stage they believed they had his word and it was just a case of thrashing out a deal. As I said above, if the club have been guilty of anything it's by being over trusting and a maybe a little naivety. I think Toby is a top lad generally, I don't hold any grudge against him - but it's clear that the pull of the Belgium contingent and probably a better package pulled him in line. At least we can now move on from this entire thing and see who we have lined up.

Another reason this rule should be looked at. The home-grown rule was brought in to protect the England team and to ensure the squads aren't overloaded with Foreign. All it has created is a situation where the 'Top clubs' fill the squad with English players, but never play them - just so they fill the quota. It's made the entire situation 10x worse.

I just don't understand Delph. He is ok, but not a world beater. He's not going to get into that City team ahead of the likes of Toure, Silva, Fernadinho. So he's becoming a squad player for no reason other than $$$$$. Scott Sinclair/Jack Rodwell mk2. When will these guys learn...?

The life of a footballer....

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Mattia Destro.

The big boys enter the game

Another Chelsea player will ruin. - if that's the case.

..

Was this the same philosophy that lead to him splurging upwards of £40m on Gaston, Osvaldo, Forren and Mayuka?

.....MLG?

If i'm honest, I've never in my life followed the third round draw online. I didn't even have the internet in 2003 (go me).

I don't think these early rounds do. The groups and knock outs do though.

Serious...? If he leaves Real it will be for another Champions League club. Totally out of our league.

He was highly rated at Torino, but the move to Juve didn't work out. He's looked very leggy/cumbersome for them. He's very powerful and athletic, but seemingly prone to some very big lapses. He's not a bad player by any means, he could probably do ok in the right environment - but I wouldn't say we've missed out on the signing of the decade.

Our first choice last year seemed to be Vlaar. Toby did seem to come out of no where on deadline day, or the day before. Nothing to suggest we cannot do similar (although earlier please, saints!)