Badger

The only other side I've read linked with him were Derby so either we've seen something no other EPL club have or he isn't so shit hot.

Agree with your assessment of Boufal and conclusion, but differ on some of the other points you make. We need a DM starter rather than just backup. Might be a step too far simply to put our trust in Smallbone, and moreso Sims and Obafemi. None of us know if we're skint, but we're certainly not flush for cash (though no team outside the big 6 are), and it does seem we have to sell before buying, as much as anything to rid ourselves of wages.

Has worked without a hitch today. Well done Steve, keep up the good work.

Djenpo ? Yes it's a strange sense of optimism that we're not used to.

Fine today so far.

I read somewhere they hadn't, but no idea how reliable that was.

You're probably right, it's a pretty ill thought out comparison.

Saw a couple of articles yesterday, although unable to post the links at the time as ceess to the forum not available (and now unable to find them!): Eintracht Franfurt have turned down a £20m bid suggested from us for Hinterigger Orel Mangala - his club now want c £20m for him and linked elsewhere.

Surprised nothing has been revealed about players from the 'Alehouse' days, the amount those legends used to consume there must be a drunk and disorderly, driving ban, or assault charge among them somewhere.

Koopmeiners would be an impressive signing, and from what I've previously seen and read of him ideal but likely to go to a bigger club. AZ are still in the CL qualifiers so that might influence their willingness to sell. The only other midfielder I saw us tenuously linked with a couple of months ago that stood out was Grillitsch at Hoffenheim (Austrian international), but no further mention so assume that is non-existent.

Pity we couldn't shoehorn Hoedt or Forster into the deal as well then.

Two other names for this thread - Steve Moran and Mark Wright (Norrkopping 1982). Stop Press: Both have withdrawn from this particular squad as charges are dropped

I know you're joking about this but it was a pretty despicable act by BWP and his accomplice (Nathan Dyer wasn't it?) to go rifling through the handbags of two barmaids who were probably earning minimum wage whilst those two were on thousands a week. Complete low life.

Is this typical of the 'definitely crap as he's now leaving us' response though ? Similar to some of the comments re Hojberg on here. I'd read that Ajer was highly rated there, albeit of course within the standards of the SPL. Of the others there's no doubting Armstrong was popular, but the view on Ntcham seems to be indifferent at best.

What chance Weston McKennie finding out you can fall from a lofty height off the Juventus subs bench pretty quickly as well ?

This was posted on here a while back. https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/error_lead_to_goal I expect Ederson's cock ups were shown more widely in the media.

He's 32, not sure he'll improve on the basics like that. Have to join those disagreeing with you on this Pilchards. McCarthy may not be the ideal, but he's a few cuts above FF (imho of course).

Pity the three we've already got are mainly crap and don't use their height to full advantage. Would have liked Ajer but can't see us being interested having signed Salisu (who may or may not eventually put in an appearance at some stage of the pre-season).

Mark Dennis (lb) was once reported to have been hauled off the team coach before it left The Dell car park for questioning over an alleged domestic incident.

That is quite shocking, an absolute collection of abortions. I wasn't a fan of our home shirt, but that and our third shirt is the best up there as it still looks like a football shirt. Good to see West Ham using their 60's classic design for an away kit. Where does the obsession with floral design and paisley style imprints come from ?

Can that be coached ? Ralph can probably motivate players, but he remains a football coach not a 'shrink'. If he was he might have fixed Lemina's attitude and application.

Fair point.

Every chance his career will go like Lemina's. A couple of years at Juventus as bit part player and bench warmer, before someone like Les Reed signs him and proclaims as he's come from Juventus he must be good...

He was linked at £3m, but apparently was also due to join an MLS side in January before injury, that doesn't inspire confidence. That strategy didn't work so well with Danso though did it?

I hope Forster has sorted his feet out as well as his head. Lost count how many times he's been left flat footed as the ball sails past him, especially low in the corner. He often gave the impression he was playing in Wellies. Even at his best I don't think he was better than McCarthy who has made some good saves involving diving and using his hands, especially during our brush with relegation under Hughes (Everton and Swansea away spring to mind). Forster I expect would have remained rooted to the ground.