MarkSFC

Ox would be my number one choice for summer business, closely followed by a left-footed CB. He is exactly at the sort of age that we focus on, is in and around the international set-up and still has potential to improve. I don't see the injury thing as a problem, there are all sorts of reasons as to why and I do not think Arsenal have a great record in that regard. I think he should play in Davis' role but he has some flexibility too. As someone else mentioned above it would also prove the grass is not always greener. If Mane was to go, and i do not think he will, Depay or Townsend would be adequate replacements, but I would be amazed if we went near either of them.

May as well call it a round £50m...

Good old scaremongering!!

Those stars don't look great but he is still only 22. His development has stalled but that does not necessarily mean there is not a chan e he can still improve. I think he's one of those who needs to be trusted and given a chance in one specific role and I think he could be a great AM. I also think if we did get him back he would likely be here for a long time. We could probably get him for less than 15 whereas a slightly more established AM may easily cost 20+. It's going to be an interesting summer I think for signings especially given that it's Euros which likely means a few early signings by clubs but most likely most won't happen for 2-4 weeks post Euros!!

And on top of that they believe the myth that Wenger/Arsenal are good at developing players. They simply sign 18-22 uear olds in large numbers and get lucky a few times but the vast majority do not make it. From the outside looking in it seems to me that Wenger has "a system" which he applies to all and if that works he looks great but he does not flex his system to suit the individual. He is clearly a very stubborn ego driven coach.

He's more than good enough to be a good improvement on Davis and as such (given the fact it's not worked brilliantly for him at Arse) he would have an excellent opportunity to establish himself as a top player for us. I'd love it if he came "home"!!

Eddie Howe is proving to be a coach who demands hard work and good skill, high tempo positive football; ideal for us. My only concern if we went for him straight after Kieman is the gravitas he has compared to the genuine legend Koeman is. We can only improve by signing a certain calibre of player and that would likely be harder with Howe than Koeman. However I think Howe is going to be a top manager. The dream manager for me (although won't happen) is Diego Simeone!!

If we only made 3 signings this summer and it was those three, I think that would be pretty exciting. Chambers left far far too early in his development and he has suffered for it. You can always understand why hex went to Arsensl but if you look at the facts ( and the Ox, and Theo to a lesser degree) have not fulfilled their potential under the so called master that people think Wenger is. Get all three back, decide whether Chambers is a CB or a RB, play the OX as the AM and sit Morgan in front of the defence. Sorted!!!

you can if you base it on how good they were when they played for us and the impact they had for us. But on pure ability...no contest

Despite their foray into the Champions League I think Leicester will drop back into the pack next year - partly due to the extra games partly due to the fact that a few of their players are just "an awesome season" (Morgan, Vardy, Huth) and will return to normal level far more often, and partly because they will certainly lose 2-3 players. I think the OP is spot on though that this is a massive summer in our history. I think we need to see at least 3 or 4 players signed in the 15-20m bracket (assuming Wanyama goes, I think Mane will stay) in order to have a real opportunity to get top 6 or even 4. We need a top quality left footed CB, a top class Defensive Midfielder. an Attacking midfielder who can score, and a young fast very mobile striker (to replace Pelle). In addition we need a RB. Either one who is better than Cedric in a 4 or at least good enough to push him when we play with 5. If Stek does not sign then another GK also. This may cost 70-80+ but 20-25 will come back in from sales. This number is big to us but this needs to happen to strengthen our position and is relevant to what everyone else is doing. It then gives the kids a little bit more breathing space (1-2 seasons) to burst through, saving money in future seasons.

I am. Looking forward to it.

A journalist being interviewed wouldnt be doing his/her job if wthin t they didnt throw out some sort of rumour/suggestion that generates debates and further gossip now would they??!!! I'm with you I dont think he "knows" anything, he has always struck me a the Mr Nice guy journo only in it for himself and that means pandering to the "only london, liverpool and manchester" matters mindset because thats where there are most if their customers. The only journo in the mainstream papers worth his salt is Jeremy Wilson. If he stated that the club was for sale I would believe it. I really dont think it is and Im with you I hope it isnt for a very long time.

Targett is no where near good enough - that's not to say he couldn't be in 2-3 years - and JWP will only be considered if he starts scoring from open play. What this thread already highlights is that for the first time in quite a while we have a pretty decent group of players and whoever the 11 is that starts there will some quality in the bench. We could win it but I think this will be a good euros regardless!

Id be amazed if any of those mentioned in the OP play in the Premier League for us, except possibly the odd 5 minutes cameo perhaps. Look at the current U18s for the next breakthrough players I think.

I agree; Bruno Martin Indi or Terence Kongolo??

Concentration can certainly be improved, ask any psychologist, it's just some need to work on it more than others. Awareness is more difficult and harder to quantify. It is also linked to experience and instinct which is learnt over time and general confidence of ones ability. Some people are also worse at visualising and this may be Maya. If he struggles to use imagery and is more inclined to learn by doing/drilling or being taught by process or stages this may go some way to explaining why he is not aware of situations as the game of football it is extremely fast and fluid and game situations are rarely the same. In something like American football where you learn step by step plays he may be perfect everytime. Great to hear a pro saying he knows he has to improve though!

I was 11 and playing a school match on the grounds behind what is now Chamberlayne leisure centre in Weston Lane when one of mates came rushing up saying Keegan had signed. It was amazing even at that age. I think is THE greatest transfer by an English team in history. Still the only team to sign the CURRENT European Footballer of the year. Its a shame he was injured so much before moving to The Toon.

I hope they reduce prices by the equivalent of 1-1.5 games but I suspect they wont. They should at least "add value" to the ST prices in the form of extra games - the first league cup game or games, Round 3 or 4 of the FA Cup if at home. 10-15% off ancillary sales. Those who purchase up front in bulk deserve more value for their money. I think they should reward the away fans who have been to more than half with something decent. Loyalty programs work and drive sales as long as they appear to be worthwhile....Boots being a good example, Casinos/betting companies being poor examples! Saints are promoting the image of being leaders and innovators in the sport.....be great to see something great focused on its customers, sorry I mean fans!!

6 weeks to decide on his future....new contract or move on. I know which I prefer...where's the exit?

When it's over. In 40 years I've left before the end twice, once when we were 5-2 down to Spurs (Rosenthal) and once at Elland Road when we were two down with 20 odd minutes to go and Stuart Gray decided that Benali was the answer off the bench. If you decide to pay the money it is your right to do what you want. I think Liverpool fans did it in such a way that got great press coverage but as I've suspected for a long time, the effect on players seeing people leave early must be negative and Sunderland scoring two to draw adds weight to that argument. I back the war on pricing but there are probably better ways to make a real difference that don't effect the team in the pitch!!

FF Cedric VVD Fonte Bertrand Targett (if fit) Romeu Clasie JWP Long Austin Bench; Yoshida Steklenburg Pelle Mane Tadic Reed Juanmi Lots of impact!!

yep!! it "should" be about maximising attendance first....

I was discussing this with a mate the other day, in the sense of how within 2-3 years we will be in a far less strong position in terms of matchday income. Without wishing to take this in to yet another "stadium" based thread the size of our groud is going to have an increasingly bigger impact over the next few years - either positively or negatively. Soon capacities will look like this (estimating exact figures for illustration); Man Utd 78,000 Arsenal 60-65,0000 Spurs 60-65,000 Liverpool 60-65,000 West Ham 60-65,000 Man City 50-55,000 Sunderland 50,000 Newcastle 50,000 Everton 36-38,000 currently but looking to expand / move Villa 36-38,000 Chelsea 36-38,000 currently but looking to expand / move After that come a whole host of 30-35,000 stadia; Us of course Middlesborough Derby MK Dons Leeds and Im sure there's one or two Ive missed. The point is though that pretty soon there will be a distinct gap in stadium size and therefore the gap in income becomes even more and effectively sends us back equivalently to when we were in The Dell. We almost certainly will never create a demand for 50,000 but I seriosly think that we need to get up to 40-45,000 level. And before the old arguements come out like "we will only sell 36-38,000 so why....." the investment in the stadium needs to get ahead of our current demand and create availability and opportunity for growth. West Ham may be the model we should follow - definitely not the same number - in terms of thinking ahead and looking at how stadiums will be filled in the future. They are banking on a certain percentage of "tourist" fans, those who are attracted to either the stadium or the team (or both) and the fact they are in London they have an obviously bigger market place. Our city is in line for major developments over the coming years - Watermark, The Pier Development, Ocean Village, increased Student numbers, increasing cruise numbers, not to mention the fact that the clubs own reputation is building internationally. There will of course be those who hate the "plastics" for want of a better phrase but every successful club around the world, not just in football rely partially on these type of customers. With the next TV deal being so large we have a great opportunity to invest in the infrastructure as well as the team. If the club wait too long then I fear we will eventually (5-10 years) end up back in the Championship / Low Premier league pack and find it even harder to move up. We've significantly improved the training ground, the first team squad, the support team, the manager.....next should be the stadium!!

No. Filled a gap. Lack of striker signing last January cost us. People who think what you do must surely have no idea what a squad is. Squads win, squads make top 4, top 6. Teams try to survive.

It wouldn't be the end of the world to see Pelle move on as I think our style of play has evolved and we now need more mobile and quicker forwards. That said we should only do so if we replace him.