Badger

No, he might be persuaded as ratio-decidendi suggests, but he'd always begrudge being here at all. We don't need any more sulkers in the dressing room.

Not to mention controlling our official site to wish nominated supporters a happy bithday. http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/happy-birthday-to-nathan-chubb-1794822.aspx So, anyway, happy bithday Nathan Chubb.

Mayuka ?

Yes, some nice words from Nigel. Motivation personified(even if sometimes a little cliche ridden).

I thought he had been linked with them earlier in the summer.

Christ, just seen the score. 4-1. Presumably, Forster not to blame for the goals ?

Surprised he's that old (24) and not really made a mark anywhere as yet. 14 appearances for Villa last season on loan from January (acc to Wikipedia). At least he might be motivated by the fact this could be his biggest opportunity yet to make an impact.

No best leave it on the transfer rumours thread, it may serve to warn us to modify expectations in future.

Rojo too ambitous, and out of reach perhaps, then there were the Dutch options suggested (Jetro Willan was it ?) so we end up with a player who failed to impress at Villa last season. Still perhaps he's only back up for Targett.

tell me you're joking !

what ?

Not sure, I have read differing views. During the WC though I read in a couple of places that the three defenders, two wing backs used by Holland was similar to - possibly even taken from- his tactics at Feyenoord, which is why so mqy of his players settled to it at the back.

That does not look a bad team at all, and I'd be pleased with that although would like to see us retain Cork.(but like many suspect one CM will go). Only thoughts on your team though are: a)those in bold have still to be signed, and may yet prove difficult to complete ( Rojo for one), b)can't see us signing Ings to be a sub, or Van Dyke c)aren't we expecting a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 or whatever, from Koeman ?

David Speedie.

So its now "3 senior figures" rather than players. If true, what a shambles and shameful circus we have become.

True enough, but you are a little selective in your recalling of history as you omit the years 2003 -5. Had we remained in the Premiership I doubt Wilde & Co would have ever been involved. Although much of what you say is correct, please don't forget the ridiculous appointment of Wigley, and then 'arry (although I don't entirely blame Lowe for the 'arry debacle, a HR is also culpable for the failure), mixed in with the SCW/Simon Clifford farce. It is an era to forget, and until the end of last season I did not think such dark days were likely to return. Going in to the new season I'm not so sure.

Just hope no one has played the 'Osvaldo card' in trying to force a move.

Don't know, but someone else posted yesterday about the possibility of Staplewood being sold off seperately to the sale of the club. Fits in if your starting point is that there will be "an asset strip" , but most on here - and hopefully Ralph/Reed etc if they are protecting the long term interests of the club - would regard the suggestion as madness.

But like last season we'll still be left to dread any injuries and be left asking "what have we got in reserve?". No Chanbers as back up RB for instance. That said, I'll settle for a first XI at the moment.

I don't think we can be too disparaging of Hull at the moment, given our recent events. Maguirre & Robertson would have been signing with good potential. It remains to be seen where we pitch our interest for incoming players. Although we dismissed the suggestion of Steve Bruce as manager , he has at least been party to some solid signings this summer to take his club forward. Obviously hoping we eclipse this, but who knows?

Trouble is though, that he has seen how things worked for Lovren.

I hope to be wrong, but will be surprised if they are not with spurs or someone else come 16th August.

A David Frost*, Richard Branson & a Lloyd-Webber consortium are probably working in the background as well. *Posthumously, of course.

Sell a few more and both he and his brother may get chance to revive their playing careers.

I realise now that you are referring to CB Fry who had posted above you, but on first read I thought you meant Mark Fry the insolvency bloke from Begbies who handled the administration. I suspect he'll be watching our demise again with a vested interest.