Badger

On last season's form, I'd agree, subject to the proviso he has a steady CB partner with him. Which rules out Jos or Yoshida unless we want the back four and GK in a 90 minute state of nerves and jitters.

As predicted, Stefan De Vrij continues to be linked with the mancs, so that makes our reported interest less likely to develop.. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-plot-transfer-stefan-3884905 Move on to Van Dijk then Ronald.

He might not be 4th choice by the time the season starts. If Lovren leaves that pushes him up the pecking order, and too close for comfort. If Lovren does leave then we could do with 2 CB's coming in. Also, I'm assuming many see Yoshida as our immediate back up, as 3rd choice CB, and personally I'm not convinced he's up to it either.

This is one of the critical bits that all those who swallowed Cortese's myth chose to completely overlook. Despite the 'big talk', he could not deliver. But as the dream is in ruin, its easier to blame KL who was forced to take the club back in hand.

Disappointing if true. We've raked in how much ? So if true why are we looking at such bargain basement players ? We've been linked with other LB's so hope we can do better.

We could always go back to the days when the club carries the old prefix of " ..struggling Southampton ..."

We certainly should hold out. The thieving c^nts can't continually plead poverty with the £ they've raked in from selling Suarez, and don't seem to be shy in trying to buy up young untried players from the continent. So £25m minimum, plus a good sell on (for when he wants to walk out in 12/18months). Thinking about it, no b0ll0cks, let him rot in the reserves if he does not want to play for us.

The article makes no mention of Lars Bender who was reported at Arsenal's second target. But agree with you, if Wenger comes calling then MS will not want to miss out on that move. And I doubt 'the Board' (ie Reed) will have the stomach to back Koeman and insist the player stays.

The late Brian Moore. Although he had his detractors we certainly had a greater range of commentators in his day than the poor offerings served up now.

"Double Dutch" "Brothers in arms.." reference the Koeman Bros. Has a Tyldesley ring to it, or Townsend but fortunately neither should be involved in our matches next season. Oh, and then there's always "that night in Rotterdam, in 1993..."

Yes, I suspect that RK may be seeking more of a continental ball player, rather than an immovable object at the back which has been our more traditional approach in this country. And we wonder why our national team fails to match the Germans, or Dutch.

Alehouse.

Fair point, although I was responding to a question re why Burnley might sell,or someone pay decent money 6 months before he was available for free. As for Ings, he might not wish to tie himself down as you suggest, but one reason he might - as with Remy- is £££ , any new contract could of course have a release clause in the event of relegation.

Take your pick: Hero Legend. And a couple my father used to associate with him in the late 1960's: Bacardi 'Lock-in'.

Mark Dennis: Psycho.

Yes, there's always one club hovering at the lower end,lower mid table that needs to desperately 'buy in' some goals as a solution, and would gladly cough up over the odds for it. (QPR -Remy, Fulham - Greek bloke whose name I can't recall, and probably couldn't spell it if I did, are prime examples).

Would come as no surprise if a third away shirt isn't needed at some stage during the season. If not 'needed', then launched for another earner.

But we've already reportedly turned down £20m.

Crap players around him. Ronald will unlock the inner 'Billy'. You wait and see. No, not sure I expect him to either.

In case its been missed: Sunderland - home shirt by Adidas Note the contrast clours including beige/brown whatever you want to call it. And WBA home by Adidas confirmed as: I think we've had a lucky escape.

Are you repeating speculation, and wishful thinking, or is this said with some "knowledge"?

I think this point was covered in another thread where it is suggested that there seems to be a longstanding acceptance at Dutch clubs and supporters that they will lose players to stronger leagues.

I thought the mancs were also in the running, although that is probably just a Van Gaal linked with anyone Dutch.

Blind would certainly surprise me if it happened as there are likely to be some 'heavyweights' after him. Saw today that Jaanmatt was expected on Tyneside for talks with Newcastle. So, at least we know Feyenoord are 'open for business' already on their returning internationals. Just hope RK et al can move quickly for one or two of their players.

Re the Blackpool game - it was evident that BB had simply lost his nerve, and was too much of a risk. He should have been replaced in the January window (my own hope was for a No 1 to take over from him and KD , but it never happened, and we were still paying the price for that last season). QPR at home, and Preston as I recall were far from KD's finest moments.