S-Clarke

Brum fans seem to agree that Dann was the better player of the 2 though. His reading of the game and interceptions seems to be his main quality. (and to be fair, NA bangs on about the CB's winning their interceptions all the time)

I'm prepared to put my trust into NA and co, they don't do transfers lightly and alot of previous work will have gone on. They'd have been aware of his attributes last season and if they think he can improve us and add competition then I'm all for it. We all went off on one when we signed Hoovield, but he turned out to be a legend.

Their general opinion seems to be that Dann and Johnson were a partnership, and one with out the other was useless. Their opinion is that the injury to Dann was the reason they got relegated, not because of his quality, but because of the partnership he had with Johnson. They seem to think that if we have another solid, leading experienced CB here then he could slot in well alongside them. But he's apparently pretty slow and has the turning rate of a tanker.

Trying to get hold of some Brum views.

Anyone decent would lose their way at Blackburn, look at Pederson as an example. Obviously quality, but has been diluted by the ****ness of that club.

yep

If we want info on this signing, I think we're best off listening to what Birmingham and Coventry City fans have to say about him. He went to blackburn when they were in a mess, with a manager who hasn't got a scooby. It's not an environment for anyone to thrive, so even a half decent player will not look as good.

7pm on Sunday 19th of August?

Probably, but thought I'd throw it out there. It's clear we're interested very strongly though.

I think Davis will also be bloody important for us, I think he's going to be a star in the middle of the park. Top, Top player.

TransferGuruITK ‏@TG_ITK Southampton preparing a club record £8 million bid for Jermain Lens of PSV. #Saints. #PSV.

mid-table, if we finished 17th NA would be out of the door simply because we'd have lost most weeks. I think we all know we won't win like we have been winning, but I'm sure the expectation amongst the staff and the players is to do AT LEAST as well as Norwich/Swansea. Anything less and there will be departures I'm sure.

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach I understand #SaintsFC were unwilling to wait to get the Davis move completed so paid a nominal fee to #Rangers. Less than reported £800k.

I love it when people come out with over the top statements like this, he clearly isn't. We've had many worse.

Robben

Alan Nixon has just confirmed that he's not really following the Lens deal, so this isn't the one that will be featured in the paper later. The player he's chasing (that we have moved for apparently) will be a starter according to a latest tweet.

If he gets his head down and works hard then I don't have a problem with his involvement next year. Tevez was written off by most City fans, and then helped them win the league.

I'd expect to see Ward-Prowse used a fair bit next year as he's a class act, and is more than good enough to play in the PL with ease. Stephens is maturing into a pretty accomplished player and I think it's safe to say that he's now considered as one of our CB's - with Martin being loaned out I can't see us letting Stephens go as well, so he's part of the squad for next year which could reduce the need of CB's to just the 1. When you get to the point of buying lots of new players ''because the kids aren't ready'', then you put yourselves into a situation where you are blocking them and filling up the squad with squad players. With the investment that is pumped into our academy and training ground I'm pretty sure that isn't part of their plan.

Pace is important in the PL, but I agree, it's silly to say that you cannot have an impact if you don't have pace. Modric isn't the quickest in terms of out and out pace, neither was Matt Jarvis and he did alright didn't he? I think an injection of pace is important for us in the right areas, notably the full backs and CB.

This!!! I thought he was the final part of the jigsaw, that cultured midfielder would would run the game for us. He was ****.

Just saw that myself, getting closer.

Crouch. At the time he was a bit of a laughing stock, but you have to say that his move here made him. He then turned into an international level striker playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, quite a swing from 12 months previously when he was just a villa reserve.

Couple of names. Dann was an linked earlier on, but that seems to have cooled. A foreign name which picked up last week was niklas moisander who is the captain for AZ and Finland, 25 year old CB. (who can also play LB). I expect more names will crop up over the next week or so, but NA has been quoted as specifically saying that we will definitely buy 1 CB, if not 2.

Exactly this, people need to stop looking at it as a static 4-3-3 because it isn't. That's why we're deploying/and buying players who are comfortable in more than position - it helps tactical reshuffles during games and also allows you to deply very adaptable tactics. As i said above, Guly can do this pretty well.

Lallana fits in by being the first name on the teamsheet, he has to start every game as he is our best player. Generally I think NA wants an adaptable 4-3-3 formation, that will mean Lambert as the loan striker, flanked up by Rodriguez and Lallana - who also cut in and join to make a proper front 3. There is then the support from the full backs who will get to the byline and put the ball onto one of their heads. I'm nto sure NA is looking for an out and out winger, as he see's our full backs as being able to perform that sort of role, what he wants is adaptable players who can fit into many formations along the front line - this is where Guly comes into the fore, and also why we're looking at an attacking player such as Lens.