Badger

.. Dani Osvaldo when his former manager was in charge, so nothing new really. It does lead to the question just how the Black Box runs to cater for a specific managers whims, and what happens in the event of the Black Box throwing up a random name only for the manager to behave like a child in a sweet shop , "NO, I want THAT one.." (pointing at Clasie, Pied or whoever). Suppose Uncle Les has to placate them nicely.

And every new appointment talks about the "project".

Three months loan max in my view to enable him to prove/regain fitness. No doubt if he goes elsewhere for a full season we'll see him playing out of his skin scoring regularly whilst we remain toothless up front.

Probably need on irrespective of whether Fonte stays. Agree about a striker though, especially one who can actually score a few.

add - "disappointed with that" to the "that was sh!t" code. Is it Tydesley who can't resist references to "that night in Istanbul..."

...and losing to them,,,

Ditto. Only we could get into a bidding war and see the price go skywards for a player who is currently injured, and hoping to be back in training some time soon....

Stanciu looks the most likely (possibly last remaining) option as the attacking midfield player. For the exciting strikers though the clips of Bruma and Gabbiadini would be ahead of Boufal and Zaza in my book, but can't see us shelling out for them. Probably end up with Haller at half the cost of any of these.

Surprised BBC haven't learnt their lesson from the World Cup in 2014 when there was an outcry over his laboured performance. He was a completely wooden f^cker devoid of any personality or charisma then, and the dullard has done nothing to improve since.

That appears to have been kept quiet. Never mind, in Pascal Plonk we trust.

More likely we're interested in Nabil Fekall at the speed we're moving.

On a par with "Dixon and Speedie will score more goals than Alan Shearer". Just hope we don't have reason to remember this Lesism as long as Branfoot's comment.

No... not even in jest...

Nice and positive, that's the spirit.

Would have thought a three month loan to regain fitness was a good idea rather than a full season. Subject of course to bringing in an adequate replacement.

Definitely, we're as vulnerable there as we are up front where we're short of reliable options especially with a goal threat. Stephens is an unknown quantity but could be brought in for League Cup and possibly EL matches. Gardos is out, and Yoshida is too mistake prone for a run of games if needed.

No just wait for the January HCDAJFU thread instead,

Is he ? The youtube clip shows some trickery, and a lot of falling/being fouled. Of course Puel and our Black Box will have a far better idea, and I'll bow to their superior knowledge if we sign him.

Not to be confused with the Scots winger Boetius McBoetface.

A bit premature but I can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind. Let's give him a chance, although he has a bit of work to do to convince and win over the supporters. Heard Merrington on Solent after CP's interview yesterday saying "that wouldn't motivate him to cross the street". Surprised he was so candid, but reflects a lot of supporters fears/views.

At this stage the answer should be "no- not going anywhere". Despite his age, £8m is derisory for a player of his quality and experience. £15-20m perhaps we should think about it, subject of course to having a replacement* secured. Or if its Man Utd then a swap for Schneiderlin perhaps? (okay, no chance of it happening). Replacement being a quality CB, not relying on Yoshida, or bringing in one of Claude's old cronies from a previous club.

Shearer obviously didn't have to watch him for a full 90 minutes. First half was poor ,although he was much improved in the second half, and give him credit for tracking back a few times.

Main positives - Hojberg, and the fact took a point from a game that we spluttered in, especially the first half where we were poor. Hojberg does look a quality player who wil make a difference. Redmond - too soon to judge. Up front we look pretty toothless though. Midfield - until Hojberg came on we were far too lightweight and easily outmuscled too often, even Romeu. JWP & Davis surely our weakest combination ? Defence - Yoshida maintains his a f^ck up every game routine with a suicide back pass. Right back - this position annoys me, we now have three rb's , I wonder if any of them can adequately fill this role. Cedric doesn't do it for Saints no matter how good he might have been for Portugal,Martina is a stop gap nothing more, so it leaves Pied and his track record doesn't fill me with confidence.

He looked a class above the rest today, with the exception of VVD perhaps. When he got on the ball he looked to move it quickly, and move forward, something the others seemed scared of doing. Far too lightweight, esp JWP. Clasie would be a better option.

Share your concern. Austin is the most likely out of the current four available, assuming he starts or has enough game time that is. Similar concern is the lack of a goal threat from midfield (for another season).