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Punch has made himself integral to our performances this season and full marks to him for elevating his maturity to a level few believed he could. In the process he has also elevated his market value similarly and his (often starring) role as a now established PL player will have been noted in boardrooms up and down the country. Consequently, as a commercial priority, we need to sign him to a new contract asap. This gives us the option of retaining him if his good form continues (and he doesn't go sans contract walkabout) thus saving replacement costs, or cashing in on a multi million fee if the club wish to sell. Without a new contact he simply walks for nothing come the summer and that would be folly ...

If the stadium expansion does ever go ahead, then NC must have money in trust from Markus for the purpose as it would be lunacy, if not impossible, to borrow that sort of money as a commercial loan facility. Should such funds be available and NC wants to expand (the stadium not his waistline) then it makes sense to go to the maximum possible while the going is good. Sure we won't fill it just yet (but wait for all those CL games!) but this would be pretty much a one off at expansion as it's unlikely to happen again to add another 5000 or whatever, so go maximum now and it's future proofed and no need to spend another 50-100 million at some later date. Pretty sure the original plans allowed for expansion to 48000, which is a lot for now but would give the club considerable gravitas, not to say wow factor. Apart from attracting better players it would give the club the opportunity to expand the supporter base over time, with fans knowing that tix would almost always be available and maybe special pricing deals could be factored in.

There has already been much discussion about reducing the pre season exhibition games and starting the regular season earlier. This would increase the season to 18 games and reduce the exhibitions to two games. Like most American sports NFL is very traditional and don't seem prepared to make the move just yet. Fans, though, seem generally keen and I think it will stay on the agenda. Four pre season games is a bit much leading into a 16 week season and most clubs only run a reserve side in the last of them anyway. Might as well get two extra proper games in while the weather is good, imo. Tangentially, the weather will be a major factor in next years SB as it is scheduled for NYC (Giants) in an outdoor stadium. Gutsy decision that one ...

Jos was keen to join the others in a game of twister, but needed to brush up on the rules first ...

This has got disaster written all over it. Feels so much like Poortvliet all over again. We will likely be relegated before the Argentinian chap gets up to speed with the PL (if he ever does) and learns to speak English. There may be a rash of foreign signings in this window now, with the team starting to become less committed English players and more overseas mercenaries and will they fight for the cause or just be happy to pick up the pay check? I'm sorry Nige, you were too good for this treatment, but if you go to one of our relegation rivals you may yet have the last laugh ...

Well, the Philly Daily News headline reads "Eagles get the right guy ...... we think". Which about sums it up. Actually, this is a bit of a wow moment really. Kelly is the guy Jeffery Lurie wanted to bring in all along and he (+Roseman & Smolenski) met with the Chipster for 9 hours to thrash out a deal whereupon Kelly then returned to Oregon, was given a big pay rise by Phil Knight the Nike CEO who bankrolls the college, and decided to stay put. The Eagles continued interviewing like crazy, but none of the candidates were that exciting and in fact probably the best of them, Gus Bradley, was only just flown in on a chartered jet, feted at Lurie's mansion and then unceremoniously sent on his way to interview at Jacksonville (where I think he may now have been appointed). No one could work this out, but it seems word must have come through that Kelly was on board and it was bye, bye Gus. Lord knows what Lurie must be paying Chip, but he truly is an innovator and has been the buzz word in college circles for last few years. Teams have tried but it has proved difficult to prise him away from Oregon (read the Nike guy), so this is somewhat of a coup for the Eagles. However, Kelly has no previous NFL experience and that will worry some people. He is, though, quite famous in football circles for running an innovative offense and then he innovates some more! It is this cerebral approach that intrigues Lurie and he certainly has something quite different on his hands to any other NFL team now. Kelly runs a hurry-up, no huddle offense but far more intense and just plain speedy than anyone has tried before. But it works for him and his win/loss ratio at Oregon is just plain extraordinary and if he can devolve that to the pros then the Iggles are in business big time. In actual fact he already has after a fashion as the NEP use a modified version of his hurry-up system, and just see how they are going this season. Kelly (who is from New Hampshire) is well respected by Bill Belichick and Kelly tutored him in the finer points of his offense which the Pats now use. In a football league where offense is now starting to resemble a basketball fast break and you probably need 30 points to win most play off games, then Chip Kelly is already ahead of the game and, hell, he may even have invented it! This could, therefore, be good news for the Eagles but obviously there are risks and the step into the unknown of the NFL is the main one. Kelly will need a suitable QB to run his scheme and that will be the next big issue on the agenda for sure, although the appointment of his assistants will also be vital as someone has to keep the defense tight so that all this offensive excitement can proceed. It will be a very interesting, not to say exciting, year ahead for football fans in Philadelphia (that's everyone) as a new era in the science of a simple game comes to town and wouldn't this be just the perfect time to revert those uniforms back to the traditional Kelly Green!!! Go Eagles ...

Perhaps this is a sweetener with a view to signing Wells from Bradford, with whom we have been linked recently in some media sources?

Rut ... can you give an opinion on Mike McCoy the Broncs OC who has interviewed (along with others) for the Eagles HC position, please? It seems he has done wonders to develop some mediocre QBs and might be perfect to mentor Nick Foles in Philly. However, is this guy all round HC material do you think? The other main contender at present for Philly is Gus Bradley the Seahawks DC. He seems to have turned their defense into one mean machine and his players seem to love him. Quite frankly, everyone at Seattle seems to have bought into whatever they're drinking up there (coffee, I think!). Andy Reid has landed in KC on a five year deal, good luck to them although it would be hard to do worse than this years effort in tornado city. Finally Chip Kelly has once again played off several NFL teams against his current employers and won a fat pay rise from the guy who started Nike who appears to bankroll Oregon and consequently Kelly is staying put.

Whilst this post is based on sound enough logic, you do sometimes have to read between the lines. It occurs to me that from day one Cortese has spoken of redeveloping SMS or even building a new stadium. He even has drawings to prove it now. Accessing commercial loan facilities for such a project would be almost not viable for a club like us, just ask Rupert Lowe. However, NC does not bat an eyelid and in his quotes basically says this WILL happen when he deems the time is right and with indications of sooner rather than later. This indicates he is confident that a source of funds is available to allow this expensive project to happen. Like all of you I can only guess at this, but with long standing rumours of a legacy set aside by Markus (although 300m does seem a lot) it may be that the great man did leave funds exclusively for stadium redevelopment but not perhaps for running expenses, hence the supposed bridging loan.

Yet there are so many rumours of us being in for Butland. However, this may mean that we might sign him now whilst the opportunity is there and then loan him back to Brum for the rest of the season. That way he gains more experience to prepare him for PL next season ...

Yeah, that was part of a whole crazy series of moves by Reid that lead to his (presumed) downfall. He brought in Mudd as OL coach and Washburn as DL coach, both are old timers and had been successful elsewhere but only ran specialized schemes. Mudd (70) was brought out of retirement but only operates with undersized but athletic linemen. It needs the perfect fit in all positions to really work and it did turn rookie Jason Kelce into a good player, but the rest of them couldn't block effectively hence Vick getting banged from pillar to post. Mudd walked with a cane after falling off his motorbike once too often and didn't even bother turning up to pre season training to rest up before the season. No one in Philly is mourning the fact that he has now officially retired again. Washburn ran a 'wide 9' scheme that got pass rushers to the QB quicker, but it left the inside hopelessly exposed which opponents exploited ruthlessly. Once again the Eagles simply didn't have the cattle to cope but Washburn refused to change a thing and Reid seemed unable to exert any control over him. Eventually Reid did sack him a couple of weeks back but damage already done. Juan Castillo was a long time dedicated OL coach and even he couldn't believe it when Reid, in his most bizarre move, shifted him to become the new Defensive Coordinator. Juan hadn't coached defence since high school and no one could think of any NFL coach moving from O to D previously. NFL coaches are very specialized and this sort of thing is just not done. Most people thought Reid had lost it at that point, although it turned out he really lost it a few weeks into the season when, in search of a scapegoat, he sacked Juan to deflect the heat from himself. The much maligned defense only got worse after Castillo left. It is widely presumed that today's game with the G-Men will be Reid's last (finally) for Philadelphia. Fourteen years and no parade down Broad Street is a bit hard to take and an entire city is ready to wave Big Red goodbye. Should have happened four years ago but better late than never, although we're gonna miss all those fat jokes though ...

Yes, I think Hooper is the one that NA, at least, really wants. We have plenty of strikers but Hooper would likely be the one who would actually put the ball in the back of the net regularly and that may well be the difference in keeping us up. Celtic have indicated he may be available for the right price, but what would that be? Would we spend that much cash again, or do we have trade options like Punch, or would they like Fox back now he plays for Scotland? At the end of the day it seems unlikely, but doubt NA will give up on this one if he thinks we have a chance.

Rumours are big that Jets want Vick and they will jettison Tebow. Eagles options with MV7 are to release him after the SB, within three days I think, and they are off the hook for the $3 million they still owe him, or keep him and pay the money and hope they can trade him for a decent draft pick, or keep him for next season if the new coach wants him (but that would cost $15+ million in salary for next year). Andy Reid to San Diego is highly likely as he says he wants to coach next year and SD have been eyeing him off for a while. Reid is from LA and actually owns a house at Dana Point between LA and SD so this is a move that would be perfect for him. He would likely take several of his trusted assistant coaches with him (Marty Morningwheg .. ouch, good luck SD). Most Eagles fans would happily rent a bus and drive the lot of them over there. Yes, it would be so nice to see a normal sized coach in Philly next year!

College coaches not always popular with NFL teams as the college game is really a different beast to the pros and the transition often does not work. There will likely be a lot of teams looking for a new head coach this off season and Chip Kelly is the hottest college coach at the moment and will surely interview widely, I know the Eagles are well interested and like his commitment and attention to detail. However, Kelly has no NFL experience and runs an up tempo offensive system that has been crazy successful at Oregon but how will this translate to the pros? Probably will need a lot of refining (NEP play a modified version which works for them) but Kelly will land somewhere I expect and may well revolutionise the game, or be a bust. At the Eagles Andy Reid is surely gone in a week so it's guess the new coach time and it's 14 years since they last played that game in Philly. My guess, maybe Mike McCoy from Denver, certainly a safer bet with someone already in the NFL system.

Well that was utterly clueless, no one looked really interested, players or management. Two weeks to prepare for a Lallanaless match and tactics looked like they had been thrown together at the last minute. Players looked like they had only just met. Couldn't name a MoM for us, simply no one was remotely good enough, whereas O'Shea was a standout MoM for them. I hope it isn't so, but if we lose next two away games (likely) then Nigel may not see in the New Year as manager. Make no mistake this was a damaging blow today and with tough games coming up we are still in a desperate battle. How long will Cortese's nerve hold ...?

Hard to believe we would sell Rickie (especially to West Hoof) as he is integral to our game plan and then who would defend corners and free kicks for us (our CB's? ... what all on their own??). However, taking up your succession planning point, if we could get good money now before the decline starts, that could then possibly be the money that buys Gary Hooper who is younger and has more goals in him going forward. GH won't defend corners for you but he would not be Rickie's direct replacement, that's what we have J-Rod for...

Oh dear! This could make for an interesting transfer window in January then ...

Yes, but Punch's market value will likely never be higher than right now and it may be that he could be used as part of a deal in January. As an inducement to Fulham for Hangeland for example, or some other club unwilling to part with a top player. Celtic for Hooper could be another example. Rumours seem to be swirling around the possibility of us signing a new winger in January, such us Lens or Phillips or the Korean guy at Bolton. If so, Punch could be available perhaps. Don't know how I would feel about that as Jason is simply outstanding at present and has really lifted the team and Clyne in particular. However, we all know of his previous when he gets to sign a new contract ...

Surely we wouldn't waste 6 million (or probably anything) on Dann, that would be madness. If a British player capable of helping us through this season, then maybe Curtis Davies. If a foreign player, then Kana-Biyek is a beast if they can get him, but would cost. Or push the boat out for Hangeland. Fulham won't want to sell but he leaves for free in the summer. If we want to share in the PL riches from next season then this is the move they should make happen.

Is it too much to expect to see Punch in the full England squad? Sounds bizarre, but he really has improved that much ...

Don't worry ... Di Matteo will know all about them, so we should win! ..

Sorry, but at this stage we simply can't afford to drop any home points at all to such close relegation rivals. A draw in either game would be an awful result for us and probably cause for celebration by the opposition. Furthermore, I am guessing that Nigel's immediate future probably depends on beating Reading, particularly as he apparently fell out with NC the last time we failed to beat them in a critical game. If it goes that way we may well see RDM installed for the Sunderland match. Let's hope not and we win both games, 3-1 v R and 2-1 v S for me.

Can't help thinking this may be THE make or break game for Nige and only a win will do. These are three points we just cannot afford to lose. Weston Saint posted earlier that Nigel had been given till end of November and would then be reviewed. In which case Saturday is probably the final exam. Since that time a radical development is the spectre of De Matteo in the background and Cortese's alleged desire to get him installed. Also it is widely assumed that NC fell out with Nigel after the debacle of the last Reading match and a repeat now may prove disastrous for NA and give NC the excuse he may be looking for, and with two weeks before the equally important Sunderland game ... well who knows? Really, really hope we stuff Reading, they were so cocky last season and not as good as us really and truly. However, we need to get our mojo back for this one as it was a bit like new manager syndrome for a while but gone right off the boil once again now. If we lose, next Monday could be interesting ...

Correct, should be DE for Babin (now picked up off waivers by Jacksonville), and you are right about dumbass schemes. Problem all season has been the wide nine scheme run by D/line coach Jim Washburn who brought Babin with him from Tennessee as a specialist wide nine sack merchant. He was okay last year but this season he has hardly any sacks and was not popular in the locker room and insulted fans on twitter. A couple of weeks before the season Babin announced he was off to Pamplona to have a go at the running of the bulls. Fortunately the club pointed out this would breach his contract re dangerous sport activities, although maybe they should have let the bulls have him! So Babin had to go, but surprisingly at this stage of the season. Regarding the wide nine it places the ends right on the side line so they keep away from the congestion in the middle and have a clear run at the QB. It is a scheme designed only for sacks but relies heavily on the inside guys covering the run when they are likely outnumbered. With the right personnel it can work, but the Eagles have been simply woeful in trying to cope with this. Washburn refuses to play any other way and Reid should have called a halt to this after the first couple of games but he just sat and watched it fall apart around him and then sacked Juan Castillo instead of Washburn. It's beyond saving now so would expect many changes in player, coaching and f/office personnel before next season. A bit like Saints, it's never boring following the Eagles!

Now they've sacked Jason Babin (OL) as the clean out gets under way. Andy Reid appears to be looking for scapegoats (hi Juan!) before he finally gets the bullet at seasons end. This team is a mess and will have to be blown up and start again. Jeffrey Lurie (owner) should start by sacking Howie Roseman (GM) who presided over probably the two worst drafts in history in 10/11 and left the playing stocks in the denuded mess they are in. Bizarrely, Lurie gave him a four year extension in the summer but only announced it recently. The entire city of Philadelphia is unlikely to let Lurie hang on to Reid (14 years and no SB trophy) and probably Roseman for next season. Those fans can get real ansty over such things and revolution is once again in the air all these years after Ben Franklin ...