Badger

Would it be such a bad move if for example we took Begovic in part exchange ? Similarly, FF was linked with Barcelona (probably far less likely I know), but if Ter Stegan looking for regular football could be enticed ? (Again unlikely as he is probably seeking CL football). Don't get me wrong I'd rather keep a settled side, and especially the back four (RB aside), but if FF did leave there are good alternatives, but ideally decisions should be made and have them lined up early rather than going on to our third and fourth choices.

Trouble is, the player went "missing" for much of this season also, but his recent good form seems to have erased that from people's memory. Delighted he has found form, shame he's unlikely to stay, and a shame if he did stay the current form and attitude might not be sustained August - May.

What should he have done differently, to keep Poch & Clyne at the club?

Would he have been allowed to play in our League in 1939 as a Spanish national ? Had he stayed of course, we wouldn't have had a real league for him to play in until after the war. Fascinating story though, thanks Nordic, for unearthing it.

Why do you regard Reed a clown ? He seemed to do a pretty good job in the background in coming from L1 & Championship , although his role has become more prominent since promotion and moreso since Adkins was sacked. I agree to some extent with you over the disappointment of not signing Toby, but you are overlooking that the player was always going to have the final say on joining us or not. He made encouraging noises about staying with us, but if you remember these interviews changed to staying in the Premier League, and he was linked with spurs towards the end of the season. Joining Levy for more pieces of silver was always on the cards. Naive in the extreme to think otherwise.

Not so much the sacking of CN, but the selection of his sucessor was the problem...

Cortese appointed that "clown". Agree with your final bit.

This though might lead to the club stagnating for a season, especially if as expected we lose a couple of key players. Adopting your strategy leads to a stand off, without funds even RK can sit and see his contract out, which gives the club the dilemna of perhaps paying him and his staff off now (probably not cheap) before reinvesting in a new manager etc.

Tonic

Would like Brighton & Hull to come up, but expect Burnley., Middlesborough and 1 other. Rather it isn't Boro, or Derby as still hold some resentment over out loss at the Riverside in the Championship, and our play offs with Derby. Going down - would be pleased to see the back of Allardyce, but expect them to get out of it and Norwich and Newcastle to go.

The Arsenal link has been mooted before but I wonder if RK has a succesful enough track record for their Board to be that keen. No doubt RK's dignified manner would be attraction to them (as opposed to the North London yobbo's track record with barrow boys and spivs) but is that enough ?

Agree, about time the fabled black box regained its reputation.

As biased as I am, I really can't agree the attraction of Liverpool under Klopp is "no better than us" , they are one of the top five clubs in England and a major pull in Europe. Whether the player would get game time there of course is a separate issue, but balanced against vastly higher wages that might not be a worry.

Okay, so they've now got "justice"and they can have "closure" if they want it, but I suspect they don't want that and we'll never hear the end of it.

Striker wise, we need one who can stay fit and score regularly. There are question marks over all of ours in one regard or another. Not sure we can rely on Austin & Rodriguez for an entire season, or Long's goal in four games. Agree about a MF player,though ideally we need someone to boss the MF if VW leaves. Defence wise - a first choice RB, as well as another CB.

Yeh, sign him and play him in the same team as this bloke: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/junior-ponce/profil/spieler/214654

drip

VVD is the only outstanding success from our recruitment last summer. In fairness to them though, both Steklenburg and Martina have probably fulfilled the roles asked of them, temporary GK, and a back up RB (although he has taken on a more prominent role), but neither really at the quality needed longer term. The jury is still out on the remainder though, Romeu - good in parts, but too prone to yellow cards in his early days. Clsie is a quality player, but still has to adapt to the rigours of the English game. Both strike me as probably good in the right midfield partnership, but probably not together, or even with VW. PLace either alongside Morgan last season, they might have been a revealation. Soares - disappointing, and I don't think he has shown the same quality as Clyne in his first season. Austin - hope he doesn't carry his injury record into next season. Perhaps they will all rise to the level next season with a years experience, and full pre-season ahead of them, but I'm hoping the Summer 2016 recruits are of the quality to make an impact next season, and not need a 12 month bedding in period.

poison

Didn't he have a phase when he refused to be seen publicly or speak, so had a bag over his head when attending awards ceremonies etc ?

All the souvenirs I want are in the roofspace.

Interesting conclusion in the article:

Does this sound familiar? http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/7089213/Maurico-Pochettino-makes-Tottenham-sweat-on-new-deal-as-fears-grow-of-swoop-by-Manchester-United.html Go on Poch, Man Utd - biggest club in the orld !! - you don't need convincing surely ? Or PSG perhaps ? Didn't he try selling himself to them whilt he was still with us ? One of his former clubs.

water

Kirkoff would be my choice if we can prise anyone away from there in the event they go down. Unfortunately though I'm expecting Fat Slob Sam will keep them up.