Badger

Isn't that a feature of most wingers though ?

A winger would be a bit of a luxury as I see it, would probably call for a bit of a change in the shape of the team. That could be a good thing from time to time, but I still think the CB CM roles should be priority.

I hope Stephens gets some good experience under his belt there, if not he'd have been better off joining a smaller club in the Championship for game time. Be good if a few others go out for the experience, (Gazzaniga even, although that would mean bringing another GK in). Strange though that we've come round to releasing players on loan when the club publicly stated they were opposed to the idea a couple of seasons ago. Wonder if the change at the top has anything to do with it ?

That's the key really to improving the squad with quality additions rather than just seeking reinforcements by just making up the numbers (with Martina, and possibly Caulker type signings). VVD seems the stand out option for defence, although dare say Reed and Co are crowding into the Black Box room looking for an alternative we've not considered on here, the MF option is an intriguing one, and we've really no idea where or who they're now looking at.

Unnamed club in bid for a France U21 midfielder : http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/26/liverpool-take-lead-in-jordan-veretout-transfer-race-because-tottenham-have-too-many-midfielders-5313285/ Could it be ?

Following the sequence of that article it does seem that Charlie Austin has fallen down the ladder a bit, as he's now possibly a replacement for Mayuka.

gibbon

A concern with Stekelenburg is not just an injury. After his time at Fulham and Monaco, his confidence might be knocked, and if he has a poor start, or suffers a heavy defeat how will he respond ? His WC Final appearance of 5 years ago is history and his last couple of years have been wretched. I hope Gazzaniga is improving but don't agree with the rest of of your first sentence, Davis is susceptible to conceding some weak goals (the nearpost was a weakness in our promotion year,more recently Spurs second looked pretty feeble, although he was left exposed a bit by Yoshida etc), and anyone thinking Forster will be back by Christmas has clearly forgotten how Rodriguez was o be back in October, November.. the Burnley game 13th December etc. Best policy would be to write FF off for the season, anything else is a bonus. Pleased to read your observation on Stekenlenburg, that bodes well, but not sure Feyenoord have provided a stern enough test.

L1 didn't harm the development of Schneiderlin or Lallana did it ? That said, inclined to agree Championship might be a better option, providing its to a team who try and play a bit, not just taking him as "oh he's a big lad, can play as a battering ram up front for us...".

Just seen the Atletico Bilbao red and white stripe version for 2015-16.

Come on, its not his own mother tongue, and probably his second language. So for that reason I doubt many on here have grounds to mock. That interview is no worse than some players who are meant to speak English. For example, he doesn't lapse into the "yeh, definitely.."mode to every question as Puncheon used to, and I gather Clyne did on his arrival at Anfield.

Should have gone for Freddy Adu as well when we had the chance. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33536657 Shame we've really missed out on that protege , but then again so have his 13 previous clubs.

Again ?

coot

Gordon Watson. Frozen out at Saints, by Souness I think, to go to Bradford where he suffered a leg injury to virtually finish his career.

Perhaps Toby was just a stand in for that position after all then.

Thanks, and best wishes for Feyenoord next season too.

With Clasie now signed up, we can move onto the next one - hopefully VVD.

Good signing, and excellent to bring him in at that fee.

Nice shirt. Hideous tattoos.

Having googled Mario Suarez I found this about a "mystery club" being in for him: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/452208/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Liverpool-Man-City-Mario-Suarez-Mata-Round-Up-Rumour-Gossip-Latest

Yes - think we missed out on our destroyer target when Imbula went to Porto.

Yes, there's a bit of everything... bar a proven goalscorer. I don't doubt our build up play will be great to watch, but fear we may still lack a cutting edge.

So were Alan Ball, and Xavi. But Classie is 1" taller than Paul Scholes. Providing we don't become a team of midgets I'm not too worried about it as far as Classie is concerned, he'll bring a lot to the team.

I don't see anything wrong in bringing a player in who might develop (or 'work in progress' as you describe it), providing the development is for our benefit. So, I'd be happy with Van Beek or Byram as players to develop if signed permanently, as Clyne was three years ago.