Lallana's Left Peg

That's usually good news when Saints are involved to be fair.

Adam Blackmore has suggested he spoke to Adam Lallana yesterday and the note in the paper does not reflect Adam's true feelings well enough, and that Adam's advisors have not done a good job with that note. So the note came from his advisors. Pathetic.

He joined FC Toronto for a fee of around $10m. I think he's good but his spell at Villa wasn't too impressive. That entire US team is filled with amazing athletes - wouldn't be surprised if Poch wanted a few of them at Spurs!

I think it is clear his relationship with the club broke down to the point that the club were not willing to give him a platform to say what he wanted. So doing it in the Echo is probably a reluctant act. I don't begrudge him the opportunity to earn a six-figure weekly salary, play for a better team, and further his career. The way he has manufactured it has left a sour taste in the mouth and it feels like more respect should be shown to the club and fans during that process - or rather enough respect that reflects his tenure at the club. At the end of the day he has got what he wanted and at some cost to the goodwill afforded him by the fans. I don't really care what he has to say now if I am honest.

Haha. Unfortunately not, I just think I'd rather have our Captain and one of our best players ahead of £8m we don't need and a player we don't know will be good enough or not.

I am not sure that a teams form prevents a keeper from being called up. If anything it is the one position on the pitch where your individual form can be separated from the rest of the team. Plus we called up Ben Foster ahead of John Ruddy, and WBA were garbage this year too. Just interesting that Ruddy wasn't in the England squad when his club coach is also the national coach.

Which makes sense until you release that Bournemouth get their slice. So then it is really £8m + Tadic for Lallana. I'd rather have Lallana right now.

Not sure. But the Norwich fans said Ruddy has been bad this season and not too many of them were fussed about losing Watson. That said, I think as appointments go it's a very good one so credit to Reed and the team for getting him.

Something some Norwich fans pointed out to me is that in the period Watson had been at Norwich Ruddy went from being in the England squad to not being in the England squad and all this while Watson was the England GK coach.

I presume there is a plan but on Day 1 of Pre-Season training the U18's and U21's do not have a Manager. Not ideal. And Uncle Les is looking after his chums isn't he?

I get the feeling this new kit will be so **** it'll make losing Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana look like no problem whatsoever.

Yeah I'd agree with this. I doubt the club would just spend £10m+ on a player on the recommendation of a Manager, but at the same time would want to show support for the new Manager by signing targets they both agree with. It's a decent approach in my opinion.

Right now we've got ~£52m for our first choice left-back, attacking midfielder, and striker. It is suggested that £18m of that will be spent on a new attacking midfielder and striker. There is no way we'll spend £34m on a new left back (I would suggest £5m max on one). So that would be £52m out and £23m spent. Leaving a delta of ~£29m. Remind me, what was the transfer debt going into the summer again...

And also one of the reasons it was suggested the owner wanted a more sensible approach to things. So it appears we've gone from 1 person with football experience on the Board (Les Reed) to...one person with football experience on the Board (Les Reed). Only this time Les Reed makes the decisions and doesn't just have input.

I can understand why Reed was appointed - as you say he perhaps deserves a shot based on his other work at the club plus from a continuity perspective there is lots of value in retaining him. I just don't think it should be assumed all will go well - it's 50/50 from my perspective which is very worrying when you consider the amount of money that is about to be spent.

In which case lets judge him after he has fulfilled his existing role for a period of time. There is no evidence which suggests he has a track record at the level of responsibility he currently has. Previously he has set-up departments and processes for which I think he has done a great job. Now he also gets to make the decision that comes out the other side of those processes and that is quite something different altogether. Which players stay and go etc. Who the Manager is. Hiring and firing staff. I am not quite convinced by him because he has no track record, however what concerns me a little more is that he is the only member on our Board with footballing experience. I find that a little worrying personally. It's not a good Governance model given football is our business.

All I know is that if I'm signing a scholarship deal with a Premier League football club I'd wonder why on earth a better backdrop couldn't be found for my signing picture.

Check out his term at Fulham as DoF.

My original point stands. He was never the decision maker. Now he is. So where is the evidence he gets things right?

What evidence is that then? He's been DoF once and that was at Fulham. Check out what happened if you want, but if you are of a nervous disposition its best avoided. His responsibilities have increased massively post-Cortese. Before he was a cog in the machine. Now he is the ultimate decision maker on all things football.

You simply can't conclude anything until we see how the money is spent.

What a great memory it is for those lads, signing a scholarship with the beautiful backdrop of gasworks in the background. Will bring a tear to the eye. I wonder if any of them have been told who on earth will be coaching or managing them next season

What will his role be?