S-Clarke

The whole feature on us was bizarre, but we mustn't get into this debate as we cannot question how we're covered in the media apparently.

Find it odd how they're looking at the price of Ramirez (well merson in particular) and acting as if it's some sort of mega gamble, and that it's over priced. Steven Fletcher joined Sunderland for up to 15m. Jarvis joined WHU for up to 11m. Rhodes joined Rovers for up to 8m. We have got a snip, it's just their lack of football knowledge outside of the top 6 which makes them think otherwise.

I think we all know where this thread is going.

Having all his pics and interviews done today, ready for the unveiling tomorrow.

Thanks again. Love this bit “Ramirez is a great young player. As a comparison, he had more impact in Italy than Pastore had in Palermo before they sold him to PSG for €43 million. So we can say Southampton completed a good deal for ‘just’ €14 million. Ramirez can dribble, kick with both feet, is quite speedy and has good stamina. He has to improve his mentality, stop (trash) talking with opponents and referee first.”

Not good enough to shell out £6m on, that's for sure. Blackburn living in cloud cuckoo land.

Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)

Scott Dann stayed put, I think we were interested to a degree but I kind of get the feeling that if he had of arrived late in the window he'd have had an element of panic about him. But we don't seem to do that, we just bide our time for the right player(s). I imagine the few short comings we have now, will be addressed in January and I believe our current squad is enough to get us through to then.

Don't expect too much from his straight away, although I think he's got the attributes to do well at this level. We've got quite a big, powerful team now.

Can't really argue with that. I cannot see NC has gone through all the work of securing Ramirez to watch us struggle away in 17th all season. Even though we'd survive we'd lose most weeks, and I don't believe Adkins would survive that at all. I want him to succeed massively at this level, I really like him - I just hope he's given a realistic amount of time to make this work and that the finger isn't already on the trigger.

From what I've read and heard, he's more of an upgrade to Fonte. Nice on the ball but most importantly....pacey!

Davis is our CM experience, and he's the PL experience that you cry out for in your post and then suggest we didn't strengthen in midfield. I'd also say Ramirez will strengthen our midfield slightly(!) I think Jos gets a hard time here. What exactly did he do wrong last year, and what exactly has he done wrong this, to all of a sudden be confined to the ''not good enough'' bin? Can't see it I'm afraid, i think he's had a decent start to the season, and the last flaming thing you want to go and do is replace an entire 11. That doesn't work. It's all about evolving the squad gradually and adding quality down the spine, which is what we've done.

Nice one, appreciate the way you get views on us from opposing fans/journo's. If he started out as DM then you can imagine him to be very composed in the ball.

Cheers, but i wanted a thread that discussed the players and their qualities - and also a thread that stated realistically who will be our options this season. He's fair enough listed a whole squad list, but I wouldn't expect Hoskins, Chambers, Reeves, More and Butterfield to be real options this year. They'll be in the squad, but I can't see them featuring - so this was more of a thread to highlight the players we have available in the squad that can clearly do a job. The general consensus is that we are missing a real quality 2nd CB - and I'd have to agree as we do still have to count Seaborne as a viable option and I didn't really want to have to do that after deadline day, but it's only 1 position and at least we're not going into the season with gaping holes in certain area's - there's cover everywhere, most places quality cover, but the CB area needs to stay injury free up until January - that's for sure.

I don't actually think he can. I don't think he could be registered until everything was 100% done, and that wasn't all complete until after midday today. I think he leaves to go to Uruguay for the international break on Sunday (i imagine he'll stay for the Man U game though)

Credit to Nixon, a fair few people say he speaks crap - but he hasn't put a foot wrong on any of our stories all summer long. Called Jay long before it happened, same with Clyne, Davis and was calm and collected on Ramirez whilst we were all panicking (he obviously knew, as did the club, that the deal had been signed 10 days ago!) He has genuine contacts.

I think it was the way he left originally, and then the way he celebrated when he scored against them back in 2010 at the Withdean. Ran in front of their fans and they've wanted him dead since then!

Described as a combo of Kaka and Pastore (obviously not quite at either of their levels, yet). Languid style, but glides along with the ball with a real class, very tall for an attacking/winger - similar to how bale looked, some players just look natrual moving with the ball. Doesn't seem to be the sort of player who will be caught tracking back...seems to like attacking and that's all. Basically get the ball to him and Lallana and things will happen.

Clyne? He's a serious upgrade to our back line. I also think Jos will be fine for us this year, I think he's a quality CB personally. Doesn't look out of place.

Well, we have lots of good players which some people are forgetting, so I do rate most of our squad. To get back to back promotions you cannot have much dud in the squad, and what little we did have has been moved on anyway. Obviously Seaborne is the one I'm really not sure about, as with everyone.

Fair points, but I imagine all clubs say the same at the end of a window. It's not like we're going into a season with gaping holes as such. And also Clyne can play LB and has done before for Palace, so as an option he can play there if ever required. I think we've got enough to get us through to January and we can see where we go from there.

Can we sticky this please! This keeps cropping up.

Ok, so the window is now closed and there are a few alternative options flying around, but let’s actually have a look at what we have now… GK - Davis – Good GK - deserves his chance and has made his home here. I think he’ll be fine. Gazza – Only heard good things about this guy - will be number 1 within time. Very talented RB - Clyne – what more can you say? One of the most sought after young RB’s in the country, and he’s ours. And boy, can’t you see why he was so sought after. Richardson – One of our unsung hero’s last year. Will do a job if called upon this year for sure. LB – Fox – Lots of differing opinions on him, but I like him. Can get caught, but has plenty of passion and a good attacking ambition. Don’t think he’s as bad as some are making out. Shaw – Quality young player, but not sure we should rely on him too much this year. Worth noting that Clyne can also play LB. CB - Jos – Steady eady. Got no issues with Jos, think he’s had a decent start to the season. Doesn’t look out of place. Fonte – Classy CB, but prone to being caught out in this league as he gets caught when playing around with the ball (lack of recovery pace). Still rate him though. Maya – Only heard good things about him. Captain of his international team, very classy on the ball and quick. Good signing by what I’ve heard as he adds what we lacked at the back Seaborne – Ok – the 4th CB is the area I have the question marks over, but you can’t have everything. Wouldn’t expect Seaborne to be used unless an absolute crisis occurs – but we also have young Stephens who is highly rated by the club. RW – Punch – seems like a new reformed character. Did a job in the PL for Blackpool, no reason why he cannot do a job for us. De Ridder – frustrates the hell out of me, but has pace. Scares teams. Just needs to become consistent with his end product. Guly – Christ, doesn’t he divide opinion? You can see why, on some occasions, but I still think he’s made to be a bit of a scapegoat. Good player on the ball and isn’t too bad on the right hand side. Has worked hard in the games he’s played, and has been a pretty effective attacking threat at times. LW – Ramirez – well, what can you say? One of the best young players in world football. Sounds a bit of a maverick type player who you build the team around. Can only be a benefit to us to have technical players like him and Lallana in the same 11. Lallana – Ok, he’s playing in the middle at the mo but he’s still an option on the left. Not much needs to be said here. Obvious class act. CM – Morgan – Been growing for years, steady midfielder who rarely gives away the ball. Needs to try and be a bit more progressive with his passing, but he’s not out of his depth what so ever. Davis – The experienced PL player so many cried out for. Captain of one of the biggest clubs in Britain and captain of his country, and a very tidy player to boot. Always felt he was a bit of a coup Cork – Really rate him. Classy on the ball, good range of passing and lots of energy. Will be good to get him back. WP - Quality. How he played against Man City will live long in my memory, excellent football player. Chaplow – May not get many games this year, but can still do a job. Lots of energy and a good player to have as a 5th midfielder, let’s be honest. ST – Lambert – May not start as many games, but he will score goals. Our talisman Rodriguez - £7m signing and lots of expectation, but slightly unfair to judge him as he’s not getting on with his position. Will look better when he’s pushed up front. Still stand with my opinion that he’ll play for England within time. Lee – Think he’ll be a hit. Full of energy and life, will scare and bug the hell out of defenders at this level. May not score many, but will create enough havoc to put chances on the plate for others. Mayuka – Pace, skill, mobility. Adds what we lacked up front straight away. Got to be happy with that. Also note that players like Mayuka and Lee can also play on the flanks if required (and in our formation, may well end up there), so we have good versatility in the final third now. Looking at it like that…we have 2 players for every position. You can’t really moan about that can you?

We have Puncheon, De Ridder, Lallana, Guly, Ramirez and Emmanuel who can all play on the flanks. The later being, very, very quick and exactly the sort of forward player we needed. Maya is very quick, and that has come from a dutch fan I spoke to. So we've fixed our ''lack of pace'' issue at CB. Basically we've upgraded the qualtiy right down the spine over hte last 4 days. You cannot moan about that really, and even though you might say we could do with an additional left sided defender, we still have 2 for each position and good balance all over the squad (and versatility up front, in that players can play all over) So all in all, the best window In my life time. Very exciting. Buzzing to see Ramirez and our new guys.

We've been well and truly backed. Puts all the ''we have no money'' brigade to sleep.