S-Clarke

He was heavily monitored, and if he was still with us now and had started the season with us I'm sure he'd be in the squad. And if we're honest, he's performing at a higher level in the Champions League now. Not sure why people cannot just be happy about one of our quality academy players getting into the England squad. Accept we are a breeding group for the top clubs, and just take pride that we've developed them for the national side. The hatred of it all is quite odd.

I'd go with that. The reality of the situation these days. Didn't Les Reed say that he expects things to really move towards the end of the window, as the targets the 'big' clubs had are left in limbo? And that allows the likes of us to move? I'm sure it was either Les or Ralf who said that, obviously I'm less believing if it was Ralf who said it!

I'm really confused by some of the reactions here. It's clear that Hodgson cannot win. Last season we had Shaw, Lambert, Lallana, Rodriguez all in and around the England team - whilst they were Southampton players, it's the belief of a fair few that going on England duty pushed them away as they were tapped up, so understandably fans are totally against players getting a call up now in the fear that their heads will be turned. So now we see Clyne not selected, people are getting all arsey about it and saying that ''he obviously needs to move to a big club to get games'' - But that's simply not the case, the reality of the situation is that Chambers was in the team ahead of Clyne a lot last year, and although Clyne has had a decentish start to the season, he has made some pretty bad positional errors - he's not perfect. I'm really confused about the hatred towards Chambers, good young player who left for the bright lights of London - who wouldn't at that age? And would people please stop downplaying the ability of obvious quality players.

Got a link?

Still can't quite get my head around our actual manager, tweeting.

I think I can see where this thread is going.

The only problem is that he's not a Premiership player, he is truly out of his depth at this level. He's a great lad, a great personality to have around the place, but he's so out of his depth in the premiership. I kind of felt sorry for him at times.

Not sure what their strategy is this summer. Rubbish buys galore. Jos is a great lad though, will be a miss in the dressing room if he goes.

Love jos, wouldn't begrudge him a move to another PL team. Amazing move in all honesty. Not quite sure what Burnley's strategy is. If it happens, would potentially indicate we have another CB/RB type lined up.

2 games.

What a ****e draw this is so far by the way.

Well, there goes another year. Jeez.

You have to look at Leeds and then realise how bloody lucky we were to find Markus. A mental head owner and no investment in the first team and no real sign of any short-term success, let alone long-term.

I think he was actually officially proven as 18 as well!

I take it you're utterly oblivious to Guan 2.0's ITK knowledge then? I wasn't meaning anything to come across as fact, just putting my spin on what I felt could happen based on a post from someone who is proven to be very much ITK. Sorry it seems to have bothered you so much.

What the hell? When did i say anything I said was fact? I was replying to Guan and I'm having a debate in a normal civilised way. What are you doing? Randomly shouting down and throwing insults for no reason at all. What exactly have I said that has offended you so greatly?

International loan is interesting, suggests there may be legs in the Gaston talk. Sounds like we're after someone who can float between the lines in the attacking third, but who has the pace and power to carry the ball forward....not a cheap area to recruit to it has to be said.

We are your typical stepping stone club, I've pretty much accepted it! Attract and recruit young players who are being monitored by the elite clubs - but as you said, not yet ready for them. But get them performing in the PL and you then sell them for double what you bought them for. Financially it's a genius model, but as a football model it's pretty depressing.

He's not a bad player, never a £10m+ player though. So much more value out there in other leagues. He's a pretty big damning indictment of English football. Hit it....run.....

That's Guan. Any chance for a update on where we stand? Lots going on! Cork/Gaston/Morgan 'potentially' out.......Toby/Classie/Townsend/Redmond in......do you think we'll see 1 or 2 players by the weekend? anything really close?

For what it's worth, if Gaston does leave you'd have to assume that it's a fairly large % taken off the wage bill for the season. I like Gaston and feel he has ability, but you must admit, he gets better by not playing. . I think we're all a little guilty of bigging him up, when deep down we probably know he'll miss a lot of the season with knocks and injuries and frustrate as he always has done. I think he's just a fairly injury prone player, and maybe the club feel they can get someone more worthwhile to the squad as a whole whilst trimming the wage bill significantly.

In my random FM game the other day, I signed Belhanda. Based on what he did in that game in 1 season, (13 assists, 18 goals) then I think he'd be a great signing!

Just imagine if all 3 go....and we only bring in Redmond in the last minute for £15m or something! I predict a chaotic meltdown!

Abel Hernandez.

Lol, wow.