S-Clarke

Not sure myself, got a feeling that Phillips is the ''alternative'' option. That's just a hunch though.

Phillips is stronger, quicker, younger and cheaper. No brainer for me. I don't think there's a great deal between either player. Once Phillips gets a chance in the Pl I think he could have as good an impact, if not better.

Pretty much. Both can play on either flank, or through the middle, pacey direct players. Although Gaston is much, much better technically.

I have heard that this is serious. We have been in discussions with representatives on Gaston's side, and Bologna's side since Monday - Cortese was apparently in Italy at the start of the week where he met with them, and the parties have now traveled to England, along with Gaston. A fee of around £12m is still being thrashed out, but we seem to be in the driving seat. Might be a load of twaddle, but I thought I'd share. I didn't believe it at first as I thought he was too big a player to get here, but with what I've heard, what the Italian press people have said and a couple of other ''ITK'' people, I'm sure there is active interest to make this a real possibility. It could well be that our driving to get Phillips done signals the end of the Gaston interest, but whatever, our interest seems to be/have been real. Exciting.

Christ, this one won't go away will it??

Ince really came into the forefront in the 2nd half of the season and established himself as a starter. As you said, Phillips was much more influential over the course of the entire season. Let's not forget his spell at Sheff U in L1 as well, an amazing month there where he ripped the league apart.

Bearing in mind we've got to the PL ahead of schedule, so there's prob still a bit to play with.

I think Phillips has a bit more of a presence about him. Stronger, a bit quicker and pretty ''bulky''. Ince is fairly small and doesn't have the same sort of physical presence, although from what I've seen he looks to be a bit better technically.

Would imagine both clubs have been talking for days (since the illegal approach came out) Maybe this is the agreement we've come to.

From what I understand, a Trust fund was set up shortly after the takeover. Markus put around £50m of his personal wealth into this trust fund. That is there to call on whenever and was part of the 5 year plan, and stayed even after he passed as far as I know. That's where the money is being sourced for the academy/training ground and other club developments - and transfers. Maybe we've almost used it all up though...! And who knows what happens when we no longer have that investment to call on.

Look at players like Pilkington, plucked from L1 after a bad injury but he always had class. Stands out in the PL as a real quality player, had a great season last year. Phillips has the potential to do that, and more. Don't see a problem with this policy if I'm honest. Good resale value and a good life-span in the team, could stick together for years.

A fair wad of cash right there, but he's that direct, pacey right winger we need - who can also play left. Exactly the sort of player we need. Can also play up top and through the middle with a real goal threat. I rate him very highly, if only we'd have signed him when we were interested before - 800k would have got him then...!!!!!!

Today, apparently. So no surprise it's ramped up.

Who?

2 new enquries made in the last 2 days for players according to Nixon, one has the potential to be a ''goodie''. More on sunday... Alan Nixon ‏@reluctantnicko @shirleymush Saving back for Sunday People. If it develops it would be a goodie.

Ok, well a full international already then!

Well this is 1 down (if true...) and 2 to go. Still reckon we'll get that lad from Rennes.

I hope we never get to see world class players and win the league. God help us if that happens.

£6m is a tad too much for Phillips, but it's the going rate for English players. I think he's class though, another potential international. I actually doubt it's £6m, probably a £6m package with something like 2-5m-3m up front and the rest on apps, survival, internationals etc.

And a red. But he didn't have a bad game at all, looked quite at home tbh. I didn't ever think Harding was such a bad player, I just think Fox was so much more superior to him that it showed so clearly. Very accomplished left back in my opinion.

Clubs like ours don't necessarily need world class players to survive. You need world class players to win it, or to compete for Top 4 places - but decent signings with potential will do a good job for us. Our signings so far fall into the zone of players I thought we'd be after.

I must admit I'm not quite sure what to expect at the moment, it could go 2 ways. I have alot of time for players such as Rodriguez, Clyne and Davis - I think all 3 are outstanding talents and massive signings for us who will only improve what we have. Then you have the obvious question marks over our lack of experienced cover at the centre back, which at this moment in time is a pretty light area. I think we're being quite ambitious with our targets, which is exciting in a way, but also a little but frustrating as we miss out on target after target. I'm still of the opinion that if we get in another couple of CB's and a RW we may well have a decent season as I think we already have quality in our squad. I think the ''lack of quality'' thread is a good indication of some peoples expectations. For where we are and were we've come from our signings so far have been excellent.

TBF we already had excellent championship players, who we dragged down to L1 with us (already plenty of champ experience in that team, and it was not suprising to see the momentum carry through). I agree with what Duncan says to a point, we do need quality experience at CB - not to say Fonte and Jos aren't good players, but if one of them is injured we are up **** creek without a paddle pretty much. I know that we're working hard to sort it though but as time gets on you do get a little concerned that the most important part of the team is lacking in numbers and relative experience. I think we'll be alright in the end. Just take the Man City game as a friendly/bonus game. There's no point getting het up when we lose it, we'd lose it with new CB's too I'd imagine. All eyes on the Wigan game...

I think that's a very fair assessment Duncan.