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Bjorn Engels. Linked with Arsenal and Stoke in recent weeks, before Stoke signed Wimmer. http://dailycannon.com/2017/08/arsenal-make-concrete-offer-for-bjorn-engels-says-agent/

Yes, this is disappointing, I was hoping that he and Gallagher would get some opportunities this season. Perhaps farming players out is one of the consequences of our early exit from the League Cup. Or perhaps Les thinks it'll stand us in good stead next season if they've got some experience of the Championship.

Ox to Liverpool: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41098529 £40m. Hope we're in for a %.

Wimmer is another left sided CB though, so can't see we'd go for him and Hoedt. I think it was one or other, and we've made our choice.

Understand the point you are making but worth remembering they are playing two leagues below us. The other thing, which in my view is a poor reflection of things, is that the Premiership clubs seemingly don't want to encourage the traditional support of boozed up young men having a good day out, but expand the 'family' club,... and embrace local residents, or give an entire stand over to the LGBT community.

... yes, but little confidence that they will. When you see Redmond getting an opportunity its similar to watching Tadic take a penalty, you hope , but wonder if it's best to look away now.

Don't forget the goalkeeping ritual... someone posted a summary of that last season, in which they described it in detail complete with how often Watson stopped to adjust his blond locks. I remember the good old days when the warm up was done in a 5 a side hall, and the first glimpse of the payers was at 2.55 when 10 would charge onto the pitch looking pumped up followed by what seemed a minute later by John McGrath with his shorts tucked up around his loins looking like he was wearing only a pair of black 'Y fronts' , but sleeves rolled up, giving the impression he wanted to rip the opposition centre forward limb from limb. Can't see many of our pampered millionaires getting away with their sub-standard attitude with a few like John in the team.

I have wondered if a season long loan to a top European side with an option to buy (at an extortionate price) might be a facesaving way out of this for all parties. VD f^cks off to play on a 'bigger stage', and we get rid of of what is looking like a horoughly toxic c^nt for the squad this season (only a slight variation on Ralph & Les's 'he's not for sale this window'). Alternatively loan him to Celtic in lieu of their % when we do sell him. There you go Virgil take your bun or pony tail (whatever you want to call it) and stupid little beard to play at Hamilton & Ross County again for a season and think about how lucky you've been over the last two seasons. Bertrand I believe could have been replaceable had we had the time to do it. Sorry but I've lost confidence in the Black Box magicking up quality at short notice, and Reed to negotiate a quick deal.

We've watched it at St Mary's and my son observed how woeful it has been, before adding when we used to watch Lambert in the pre-match ritual it was a question of which side he would score in as opposed to will it even be on target.Same could be said for a few of our players then, even in L1, but now it fills you with dread that some of them may even get in a goalscoring position during the match. Thread yesterday about the poor atmosphere etc at matches, perhaps many witnessing the pre-match spectacle have lost the will by the time the match starts for real.

Maybe another increase on VD's price.

See we had another Fraser fumble yesterday, spilling a cross he looked to have gathered whilst under no particular pressure from a Huddersfield player. Hardly a game passes without some mishap or other. Got away with it yesterday. Despite this he remains a regular selection without being challenged. Big mistake not upgrading in the GK dept this summer, even if only a more reliable deputy to compete for the position.

.. and we haven't improved our options at the other end in goal. But in defence of Reed, there could be a significant difference in what they can see needs improving, and what finances, restrictions from on high, permit them to put in place. We don't know the true picture of this, but it is an area where I'm inclined to give LR and Jock apprentice some benefit of the doubt.

It seems a bit of a hangover from last season to be honest, especially the frustration at performances and lack of goalscoring at home, which has continued. Many hoped removing Puel would be a fresh start, and galvanising effect, but the new MP hasn't yet hit the mark. Its a two way thing though, perhaps the team mustering a goal occasionally from open play might help.

Agree, you wonder how Reed, & Ross spend their time, or if they watch some of the same slow plodding performances in front of goal that we do.

You've got one hell of a memory if he was. Unless you're confusing him with another character in a western , Sam Clucluxclan ?

I was surprised and disappointed McCarthy didn't get a run out tonight. Just don't understand how FF retains his place without a challenge, let alone why he was offered a contract extension.

I prefer the MP approach play, but we're left with some of the same deficiencies as last year: weak in front of goal, a number of players wanting too many touches no pace up front (the player who might have offered pace and strength is out on loan) gk - immobile, and not commanding Accept that the VD situation is not of the clubs making and taht hasn't helped, but why some of the above have not been adequately addressed is annoying.

Bunch of c^nts (again).

Understand the point you're making but: He's on a long enough contract for us to able to sell on our terms next summer not be dictated to by the buying club/VD or his poxy agent. If we sell now, there wouldn't be the time this window to strengthen, although with Hoedt coming in perhaps we don't need too many immediate purchases and some could wait until January, or possibly next summer.

Disappointed we haven't brought a better GK in.

Certainly looks a good player. The youtube (ok I know even Steve De Ridder can look a world beater on there) clip of his long range cross field passing looks outstanding. If he lives up to expectation then signing him for £15m looks a great bit of a bargain. Wouldn't mind if we sold VD for £65/70m, but not to L/pool (or Everton).

Very sad news. He seems very well respected. https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2017/august/billgreen17aug17/ I remembered his name from his playing days as at one point in the 1970's under Lawrie we were linked with him, not sure if that was whilst he was at West Ham or with Carlisle.

Yes, we know where this is leading ...

Well I'm hoping at some stage MP sees merit in playing two strikers, which could change things. Austin is of course an excellent goalscorer, but lacks the mobility we might need. SG offers this. If we are going to persist on a solitary striker, then fair enough 4 is a luxury, and SG would be better off - at the right club, with the right manager - gaining experience. But of course an injury to MG, or CA , both of whom had spells out last season (no idea if MG has an injury track record, but we know CA is prone to them) that leaves us with Long. In which case we might give up on goalscoring altogether.

Think he had a few given against us as well, and he was 'outed'as a 'shirtpuller' after we got back in the Premiership. (Arsenal away springs to mind).