S-Clarke

Quite excited by this one, it must be said.

Probably. I'd heard of him before we were linked. But in this day and age, managers don't know every single target. The scouts are paid to do that work, they bring back the reports and videos and then the management decide if it's a good option. It's not something done on a snap judgement either, I'd imagine this has been a good years worth of scouting.

What a nutcase.

Cole probably won't be too bad if he gets some games under his belt, one of Englands better players when he was fit and confident. But Chamakh, I agree. What does he do? Awful player in my eyes. Not sure if he's a loan signing or not for them.

It's another Cortese signing ffs!!!!!!

1 of many.

Fair enough I guess. A loyal lad!

Very strong Italian source, who broke the Ramirez deal in the summer.

To be honest, this is following exactly the same lines as the Ramirez deal. There's only 1 winner here, and it's us. They need the money, we're the only club offering the money, and the players wants to join. They can try and haggle but at the end of the day, they'll accept what we offer at the end of the day. It's all playing the game as well, happens all over the world during every transfer window. Quite fun really.

Didn't really happen for him there did it? Shame. If I'm honest he's a squad player at Championship level, no more than that. Probably a starter for a lower championship side.

Doubt we'd make such a radical change at this stage, and also as the current tactical setup seems to be working much better.

Agreed. We'd look pretty good in CB if this guy comes. 2 Internationals in Astori and Yoshida, and 2 solid pro's in Fonte and Jos. Not really going to get a better 4 CB's for a club in our position.

Immediately, neither. But I think he'd probably replace Yoshida when the opportunity arose. I think Fonte is a massive part of the spine, and has been for the last 3 years - obviously he's captain as well. So if any of the CB's were to be dropped, Yoshida is probably the first one. Harsh, I agree - which Is why I don't think he'll walk into the team straight away. (if we get him, obviously)

Thought that was the case. We're too slow as a nation when it comes to identifying these cross-nationality players. He'd walk into the national team at the mo.

Good old Nicola driving a hard bargain, as usual.

Jeez, for a player of his ability that's a bloody decent club to find yourself at.

Ah, very handy player. Good signing for Spurs. What's the deal with him anyway? He's a german international isn't he? but has an english parent?

Don't even joke! Christ, that would be awful. But to be honest, I reckon we'll have a decent 2nd half and be more comfortable than people anticipate.

Oh Christ, I totally agree. We're completely rubbish. I mean, look at the complete panic buy of Ramirez. The rushed, end of transfer window deal for Rodriguez. The last minuite deadline day deal for Steven Davis. I totally agree, we're awful. We didn't need any of those players.

Nah, to be fair he was allowed to use a fair chunk of the fee from Bilyaledinov. They have a sell before you buy policy. By selling Rodwell in the summer it freed up the money and wages for Pienaar and Mirallas.

Wow, they are desperate. He is turd with a capital T.

He's a real player, but a very odd mentality. Which is why clubs always seem to let him go. I remember him at Porto though, unplayable at times. He's never really discovered his Porto form elsewhere.

Whops @ that trousers. Imagine he's got confused with Jacob Butterfield!

There is talk of Gazza being sent to Birmingham on loan as part of the deal. Does make me question the Gazza deal if I'm honest, slightly. We clearly wanted Butland in the summer, when it came apparent we couldn't sign him we looked for another good young keeper instead. I think we'd have been a bit more sensible getting in an experienced head, and then trying in January for Butland - as we're doing anyway.

I think he'll be a very good keeper, but he doesn't feel right for me at the moment. If he does sign, I hope he goes on and becomes our number 1 for years and answers all our questions, but it just feels - in our situation at the mo - a real gamble in an area which we've already gambled on twice.