S-Clarke

You are the true king of jumping to conclusions. Congratulations on another one.

Isn't 8th on 52 points already pretty comfortable? And it's the same with every club, you win some and you lose some. I expect Swansea fans are looking at us wondering how we got Lovren so cheaply, compared to their signing of Flores.

Yep, he's their captain too.

Unfortunately we've not developed a decent CB though! (I'd say that's one area where England lack any international class player) Last pure academy CB I remember being raved about was young Ollie Lancashire, although to be fair to him...he's made a decent career for himself at Rochdale.

I think any striker signing is a gamble to be honest, because they cost a hell of a lot and take away most of the transfer budget. Lukaku would be a decent fit for what we're after, or even Benteke - someone with a bit of pace and power to lead the line, that would make a huge difference. Perfect window for me.. David Marshall, Lukaku, Astori. Job done. Keep everyone we want to keep and promote the likes of Tagget, Reed and Simms to more prominent roles in the first team, and then the world is our oyster. I realise I'm dreaming though!

Altidore, seriously, what is he? He's certainly not a footballer. He tries a bit, but needs to go back to his day job - whatever that may be. Osvaldo fairly makes it in, trash heap player. I hope we're not stuck with him as our record signing for too long, almost as bad as being stuck with £4m for Rory Delap over your head for 10 years!

Needs to be locked up! Waste of oxygen, and how depressing to think that he's probably already earning more than me.

It's not just about lacking 1 player in my eyes, we just don't have a big enough squad to challenge up that end.

We've had so many. Cork, Adam, Davis, Lovren, Shaw, Chambers......this is a 9/10 season fro me.

Our midfield is as strong as it's ever been in recent history.

That game was controlled from start to finish. We didn't create many openings, but we didn't really need to - as Everton did that for us! Our control of the game from the middle was immense though, and the performance today was very similar to the performances at the start of the year. Our defensive shape and positioning was top notch, and Victor Wanyama is the main reason for that. A fit Wanyama is like going out there with a back 5, his strength is beyond question, but also his defensive mind - he spots and sniffs out danger before it's even there, very important player for us.

Should be another one of our lads in the England set up, without question he's more than good enough.

When I watch him play I get a sense of pride, as I know he was made here - not bought, not poached...but made and developed at my club. Whenever I see Bale ripping up the CL for Real Madrid I still feel pretty privileged to have had the chance to watch him play for us. He was always an incredibly special player, just as Shaw is.

I don't think he wants to go TBH, but if a club offers stupid money for him then it may well be put out of his hands, so to speak.

I can't see us being involved in a full blown relegation battle TBH - will probably flirt with it at points, but we'll be OK. Just won't be as good as this year!

Football isn't all about the manager these days, even though I don't fully agree with that. Like us, they probably have a transfer committee of sorts. Even though the manager is involved at points, the club themselves investigate targets over the years. Jay Rodriguez was a long-term club-wide target for us for example. So even though a manager can have some input, a lot is done by the entire hierarchy at the club - and to be honest, any new manager isn't going to say no to Luke Shaw! Their LB area is poor, so needs improving.

It was pin-stripe last year, although faint...it wasn't plain red. Wouldn't say this year is plain red either tbh. I'm sure we'll get red and white stripes back next year though, the campaigns at the club seem to be suggesting we're going back to that.

It's not just THEVAN I've heard that from either, which is why I've become a bit sceptical about our long-term plans. I would be upset losing Shaw...but not as upset as losing Adam, he's kind of irreplaceable for us. But to be honest, we're probably due a shakey year at some point - the last 6 have been heaven!

Would be very sad to lose Lallana, as that's kind of the heart of our team...gone. Would need to spend £40m on a Mata type player to get a lallana-equivalent influence.

He's probably on quite a few shopping lists to be honest!

Wouldn't have Ruddy, not a massive fan. Would try for Marshal even if they aren't relegated (which I think they will be, to be honest). Caulker is a good shout, good player and would bring a lot of quality along side Lovren. Aspas is an interesting shout actually, don't think he's had many opportunities at Liverpool but I certainty don't think he's a bad player from what I've seen of him - in the right team and with regular games he could be an asset, I reckon.

The debt they've spoken about? ''We've inherited a very difficult financial situation'' Contracts, MP, direction the club is going in......all pretty much up in the air at the moment, seems a big PR exercise in showing face, saying the right stuff etc etc...but nothing is actually happening at the moment (apart from season tickets going up...!) MP should have been signed up long before now, have no idea why negotiations haven't been started.

Unfortunately this is probably true, people assuming £30m will go to building a new team are very mistaken in my eyes. Will probably just service the remaining debt. I may be a bit sceptical at the moment, but these new guys are dragging their heels on too many things from what I can sense from the outside. I may be totally wrong....but there have seriously been some things that could have been cleared up, done, dusted and put to bed by now...but we've heard nothing. Silence speaks a thousand words.

At least we pay the debt off and can paint more pretty lines on the pitch, or something.

It's clear that he's going, to be honest. It's sad really, keep developing this international level players - but whatever level we play it, we simply will never be able to keep them - that's why any ambitons for a top 4 finish are nothing but pie in the sky. It will also probably be used to pay off the outstanding transfer debts, so wouldn't expect anything from that to be pumped into new players. Never mind, Still pretty expectant for next year to be a bit of a slog if I'm honest.