Badger

Yes, at the time it seemed very strange to sell him as I think we had high expectations that he'd make it in Division One. There was a rumour that he left after being involved in a car accident and losing a bit of the desire to stay down south. Great shame as his career went nowhere after he left. On the other hand it may be that Lawrie did not think he'd cut it in the first division. Tony Funnell was another one who did the job asked of him, then disappeared off the scene.

Is this the first sign of a sulk coming on ?

thanks for that, always interesting to read the view from the former club.

RK looking a little more dapper than Poch used to.

Is the Bayer CB we were linked to earlier in the week, Wollscheid, playing for them today?

& Matt Oakley playing.

Who is Joe Batchelor ?

Perhaps he's already demanded a move

Not necessarily that easy, we can convince Sporting/owners to sell, but then have to convince player of our ambition and why joining would be a good move for him.

Three at the back ? Add in the fact Gardos style might earn him a few suspensions as well. Despite what many state about Rojo, and the signing of Bertrand I could see Rojo ending up at LB for a few games as well.

Hopefully, we'll "leave it".

I'd suggest: We shouldnt let him go unless the offer is stonking and someone other than Spurs pay top price

Definitely in the starting line up for L/pool, take out their CB with the tattoos at a corner if you can... Think we will need another CB as we'll have to prepare for the fact this bloke may be suspended from time to time.

I don't think we've been in for him to be honest, which is a shame.

Where's the watch ? Perhaps NC took them with him. Good news, not before time. Just want Cork to sign up as well now* *and a GK, CB, and new striker.

But according to one report this morning we are still some way off in meeting Celtic's valuation of £9m.

You would hope and expect so, but if we see VVD disappearing off the target to join Swansea it will be disappointing.

Fair point, hope you're correct.

Why not stop fannying around with this and make a sensible bid ? Or are we intent on completing this on deadline day ? Exactly.Even if we have a bid accepted we still have the small matter of him agreeing terms, or farting around whilst awaiting a better offer. Biggest concern for me is that while we chase this deal, we lose other more realistic targets.

Must admit, i'd prefer VVD of the two, more potential certainly. It will certainly raise a question as to what the Scouting Dept have been doing.

A Forster howler, from a tame daisycutter of a back pass from Van Dyke.

Just wondering what will happen in the (less than likely) event that Celtic progress in the CL. Does that mean back to the drawing board for Reed & Co for a GK and no VVD ? Good job Reed has a long last of quality players wanting to join us.

As an aside to this, who will be our penalty taker this season ? From the Youtube clips seen, Tadic looks the more reliable out of him & Pelle. Any other options suggested ?

Yes. The fact Yoshida is in the starting line up is evidence of how weak we are in this area, and no doubt this would impact on Fonte who improved immensely with a better CB partnership.As you say the back up options are "thin" (to the point of non existant). Just hope we bring in someone capable / and experienced for the CB, but again leaving it late and perhaps on to options B,C, or D by now. 34 year old cast offs from Inter - bought outright or on loan - do not fill me with confidence.

Perhaps he's replacing Guly as the 'option off the bench' and regular scapegoat.