Badger

Are we able to sell him to Chelsea or anyone else if we want to though ?If City have a buy-back clause that might prevent us from selling him. Too soon to tell, but with his injuries to date, selling now might not be too concerning if we reinvest properly. As for pissing City off, I’d like to think we’ve expanded our scouting network beyond this source which has been a mixed success.

Wasn’t it the prospect of being asked to play rb that influenced his decision to go to WBA rather than us two years ago ? Perhaps the problem is that in his own head he’s a midfielder, and an integral part of Arsenal. In truth though that’s not a position he shows anything in, and he’s probably now only a couple of loan moves away from a free transfer to Millwall or such. Hope we’re not committed to keeping him.

Seems to be some consistent themes developing. AA is just shot of confidence. Feel a bit sorry for him but it isn’t working. Interesting reading that Ralph didn’t want him. Wonder if and how this came across at Staplewood to erode his confidence further. ANM - always felt he didn’t want to be here after he turned us down a couple of years ago.

Crouch, Stephens at Turf Moor a couple of season ago springs to mind

Not much in the way of alternative options though.

looks like the Aussies have been taking lessons from Goztpe, and their rivals.

Only just reached Skatesmouth.

Gykores. Was going to ask if he'd get the same space from defenders in the EPL, or goalkeeping for that matter. Then got to 2.07.

He's been mentioned, although it might be just mooted on here without any substance to it.

That’s the sad truth then

England always play as if scared of the opposition, and are too slow and predictable in the build up. Don’t think that’s just a Southgate issue. It’s been the same for years.

I’m sure Semmens will include it in his negotiations.

Commentator and Jenas just talking about the fans of the tournament. Surprised they didn’t add ‘but no one parties like the Irish … ‘.

If only. It really is the ‘do you remember when you sold us those Exocet missiles?’ cosy friendly final.

Be good to bring off the bench for Saints at the end of his career. Wonder if he’d be interested?

If you were listening on radio I can see your point. But having seen Macron in the stands, with an off the scale look of smugness, it has to be the Argies for me ( as bitter as it is to say).

Perhapss Chelsea will offer us £35m for Che as his replacement now. Clouds, silver linings and all that.

for all the above reasons I hope Southgate continues with England. On top of which, for those saying he's taken England as far as he can, no one else of any note would want the England job and do better.

Better than some of the pundits ITV and BBC have desperately wheeled out.

I thought it was a case that Benfica didn't want to sell having reached the CL Group stages, and didn't need to having sold Nunez to LIverpool. Haven't read anything about agreeing terms or if he was even interested.

Which one ? The one at Braga, or at PSG (who we can probably forget about).

Fair enough. But a final involving Argentina, France, Richarlison is difficult to pick a preference from. Please spare us that England.

Difficult knowing who you'd want to lose. Normally I'd be rooting for Brazil, but with Richarlison playing for them it's questionable.

A loan might not be so bad. On another NUFC player I've seen mentioned on here, Wood, I saw an article over the weekend saying he was currently on £100,000 a week there. Even if available on loan, can't see us being in the market for him.

It has to be a bit of a balance though doesn't it ? Forest are a bit of an extreme signing 25 players and set to go again in January. That's not a model I'd want to see us follow either. Agree with your concluding statement, the players have to be good enough, but good enough to make a difference now, not one for future which was the point Fareham SJ was probably driving at. For the Lavia and ABK, you might want to balnce that with Mara and the 5' Spanish lad, who to date haven't looked up to scratch when their opportunities have arisen. (Mara's sub appearance v Leeds aside that is). This can cut both ways with experienced players as well, making a difference. As an older bastard I remember most thinking Peter Osgood would see us climb up the table when he signed in 1974, only for him to arrive out of shape, and see us fall deeper in the mire before relegation at the end of the season. Our first difficulty is likely to be attracting the players in our position.