shurlock

Can't remember which game it was - think it was Dagenham away, but their young, quick LB totally sussed out AOC - made him look very very average. It was that day I decided that while he's got potential, he's still got a long way to go -and nothing's certain in this game

Good point. Not sure how sell-on clauses are typically structured but yes on 20% he would have to be sold for quite a bit to match the reported £12m (especially if you discount for time). Some reports say we were holding out for a 40% sell on clause and that was the main sticking point between the clubs but who knows. Not sure Arsenal is the best place to go - loath to say it but Man U have got a much more sensible and sophisticated policy on developing young players.

My thoughts exactly. Would prefer a lower sum + sell on clause than a higher upfront fee. But who knows what's what. All mind-boggling speculation.

Agree- its an absolute f**king steal.

Agree- with Lambert dropping deep, we need as many runners and players capable of breaking as possible. There were times on Saturday where there was space to exploit down the right but we just didn't have the pace. Pace is probably the one thing we miss at the moment. Only seen De Ridder for 30 mins, so too early to judge how quick he is.

I agree there are things that should stand him in good stead. We'll see. For all Leeds poor play, saturday demonstrated that ball players don't get same time in possession in the NPC.

Garbage what? Did I not say he's important to us? I just said he's unproven at this level, better at some things than others and given our reliance on him (sign of his importance), its going to be a tough season. Holt made the grade but many others haven't. The burden of proof is on Lambert. Read the post rather than project your own assumptions, you clown.

Disagree - think Wilson's coverage has been pretty spot on. Can't think him of crying wolf too many times. After all, he's the one who broke the story about binning faxes etc. Think you need to get your facts straight.

I agree he prefers playing in a deeper role, though Pards played him further up the pitch akin to traditional target man (Lambo said so in interviews at the time). He's poorer in the air and holding the ball up than people make out (barney is much better at holding up the ball - when he gets the ball, it sticks in a way it frankly doesnt with Lambert); but by the same token, he's much better on the deck and more skillful than is made out (not necessarily by saints fans). I hope he has a good season but he has more to prove than most and it will be a tough season.

Wilson is a saints fan and has had privileged access to Cortese for interviews in the past, so I reckon the story is a goer and Oxo will shortly be a gooner.

He's paid to get goals -and if he's reverting to an in-the-hole AM, there are a few players who could stake a claim to do a better job. Ideally AL would be playing there and arguably it's Guly's best position. And btw, Lambert only got one assist - Guly technically got the first goal and AL the third.

The only interview I've heard is Blackmore's on the OS - maybe you've heard another. At least on the OS, no mention is made of Seaborne. NA's asked about AOC, Barney and Radhi. NA then mentions a few other names who are knocking on the door of the 16 i.e. Forte, Dickson and Holmes. Again no mention of Seaborne.

I didn't hear him mention seaborne being injured -only Barney, Jaidi and AOC were mentioned. If so, it was a pretty statement to go martin over seaborne bearing in mind how little he's played. Would be interesting to know seaborne's status.

Jaidi and Barnard = injured. Seaborne not in the squad.

Nope they're not - but it was a candid interview. It wasn't the standard 'its a great club with a great fanbase. When i heard of the interest in me, I jumped at the opportunity to join' boll*cks. He basically said that he took his time and it was a nip and tuck decision influenced by how well he thought each of the teams interested in him would fare this season.

Lallana's post-match interview said that the team has gone about preseason differently this year, so make of that what you will.

Better prospect than Seabourne IMO. For better or for worse, he's as close to a percentages footballer as you'll find. Solid game, though Leeds posed no real threat down the centre. Gradel was the dangerman (incredible Leicester got rid of him to clear space for N'guessan) so his contest with Richardson was the main match-up and key to our defensive display. Thought FR coped relatively well.

Cork's interview today on Soccer Saturday was pretty revealing. Conceded that a major reason why he took his time to sign for us was that he wanted to see who would bid for him and amongst those clubs which one had the best chance of challenging for promotion. Basically talked about it being a gamble because its hard to tell who's going to challenge and who's going to struggle. Obviously, money matters but for players like Cork (and AL) the real carrot is the prospect of career progression and premiership football.

Cork's arrival has definitely helped. He's playing further up the pitch and has great composure. Has allowed Hammond to concentrate on his holding/defensive duties and let the ball players to get on with it. For me, was narrowly pipped to MOM. Anyway, its only the first game and all that - hopefully Deano can show the same form he showed in the second half of last season. Lets not kid ourselves, though, that his form before that was pretty patchy.

Deano and Cork were excellent today as was AL. A bit more pace at the back and up front would be nice (we had some great opportunities to break first half but didn't exploit them). Contrary to some of the posts here, thought the Leeds defenders dealt with Rickie more than comfortably. Disagree that he won many headers though he wasn't given much protection from the ref.

No thanks to Waghorn - gives it his all and plays the high-intensity football favoured by NA - for a big lad, has decent pace even if he's not the quickest out of the blocks. But hasn't got the greatest footballing brain and is another player who likes to drop deep. We need someone who can genuinely lead the line...

QPR mate thinks he would be a v.decent signing - probably was on the top of his game last season. Slight worry is that he isn't the quickest, though he does read the game well. Still its probably easy to overstate all the talk about the NPC being full of pace. Remember the likes of Claus looking like a world beater when he dropped down -and by then he was well into his 30s. Perry also didnt look out of his depth with us, at least at the beginning.

Thought he did a more than decent job in the Prem - fell out with O'Neill and started few games than he should have. Most villa fans really rate him. Would be ideal for us.

No - still recovering from the trauma last season of seeing one of our lot, wasted and obviously out cold, lying on the floor of the steaming, p i$$ -filled toilets at Notts county.

Surprised MLG didnt know that