S-Clarke

That's how to play a central striker role.

We played well all game, the right tactics deployed against a thoroughly ugly team and we didn't play to match them, we played to outplay them. We started the match on the front foot and bossed possession throughout, if there was a criticism of the first half it's that we didn't have enough forward impetus - nice in the middle, but not enough thrust after that. Their goal was just unlucky in many ways, totally against the run of play and didn't mean anything in terms of the outcome. Our goal was scored at a great time, as it allows us to go in at HT on a high and we managed to bottle that and carry it on in the 2nd half, because we totally took the ****. West Ham were absolutely abysmal, let's not forget that, but we passed and moved it around like we did last year. Ignoring the mistake for their goal, Morgan was involved throughout and got himself at least 1 definite goal....so either Morgan or Pelle have got a brace! (I personally think the ball brushed in off Pelle's head for the equaliser, I'll let them battle that out). But onto Pelle - that's how to play a central striker. Physical, dominant, bringing others into play and scoring goals. It was a near perfect performance from him in that 2nd half and that's exactly what we need him to be doing for us this year, if he can turn out that sort of level on a regular basis then we will cause havoc. Long wasn't great, endeavour was there, but quality was very much lacking. He's got a better touch than he showed, so he will get better for us. Tadic is a level above, what a find. Gets stuck in, can throw defenders off his tail with physical strength just as much as his skill - an integral part to our side. Overall, we got it tactically spot on. Koeman seems to know exactly how to play it and the 2nd half sub's made a positive difference in the outcome. It's great to get our first win so early on, I feared we may take a while, but we've looked a lot better at this stage than I thought we would. Lots to be positive about, but there will be much tougher tests than West Ham put up today that's for sure.

This transfer window is beyond bizzare. I think it's getting to the stage whereby fee's mean nothing, you cannot take any notice of them anymore.

Nice to see people are now massively hyperventilating because we've lost Tadier.

He made the correct point that both loans were separate entities. Which they were. That's why Osvaldo isn't returning because this loan has finished.

I think it was just a very poorly researched addition, brought in at a time when Morgan was going. The goal posts have changed in that respect, and it turns out that Tadier didn't really want to be here in the first place. All clubs have transfer howlers, but Forren, Osvaldo, Mayuka and now Tadier look like total nightmares for us!

Surely it doesn't matter either way? We only have one international loan, I think we can have up to 4?

The 20 scouts did well on this one!

I reckon it's more of a case that the Morgan situation totally changed.

Got a hunch that at the time we were offered him, we were fully prepared to sell Morgan. So saw him as an additional free option to cover that space. Obviously a lot of goal posts have changed since then and his position in the squad has fallen right back.

I think people need to calm down about his impeding departure and just wait and see over the next couple of days. Squad size we'll be down, but is his position in the squad really that much of a worry? Plenty of depth there and it isn't exactly weaker as a result. We still need a couple and I think we'll get a couple.

And why is it that every single player from Italy, struggles with 'home sickness' ?

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/calciomercato/taider-returns-to-italy-to-join-sassuolo/

If I remember all the build up to this move, he was never that keen was he? Seemed to take some convincing, that's why the other rubbish Inter bloke was being lined up instead. We do seem to have some dim-wits in our recruiting department.

I wish we'd steer clear of Italy, full stop.

Saphir #Taider to Sassuolo on loan. #Inter have agreed to this. [Alfredo Pedulla]

2 totally separate deals, not connected in any way.

This must be up there with Marcelo Sarmiento +sp

Saphir #Taider is returning to #SerieA after a short stay at #Southampton - #Sassuolo have snapped him up.

I've seen a couple between foreign clubs in the past, but not EPL sides.

Torres to Milan is almost done, which has opened the door for Remy to Chelsea.

Didn't they send up club staff the day before to change all the mattresses and sheets in the hotel rooms??? To be fair, even if that did seem a little OTT, we had our best season on the road last year!

Liverpool paid top dollar for it. It's head lights were already in Liverpool.

I think this is where Gaston can come into his own, probably not as early as Saturday, but in Koeman he has actually come out and acknowledged what a talented player he is.....and going back to his first year here, he wasn't ''all'' bad when Adkins used him correctly and the youtube highlight videos of our season are quite telling, as he was involved a hell of a lot in the first half. For whatever reason, MP isolated him for almost 18 months and didn't use him at all. If Koeman can get Gaston performing at the level he did in the Villa game 2/3 years ago....then we will no longer have any issues with subtlety in attack!

And Man Utd will be credited with developing Luke Shaw in a couple of years time.