Lallana's Left Peg

Not sure we're on the same wavelength here. From my perspective you said you were waiting for some fantastic players from the Academy to play regularly for the first team and not be sold. I was suggesting that it was hardly the clubs choice to sell the fantastic Academy graduates we had - they all wanted to move. The Academy players we have that do step up and remain aren't as good. Unless you were referring to the utopia of developing brilliant talent and them wanting to stay - which will never happen!

To be fair if they aren't sold through choice, are they? They are sold because they are fantastic players. So we can't have it both ways.

They certainly do, and neither are half as effective in that position despite having little end product up the other end of the pitch from open play. We need to replace Cork, and if he leaves, Schneiderlin.

As DoF I suspect he is highly aware of the overall budget for the first team and will have as big of an input as anyone else as to how it is best spent for the strongest squad possible under the circumstance. Personally I'd be very worried about us spending anything more than £15m on a single player.

We agreed a deal with Palace before it went to tribunal. It was rumoured to include a 20% sell on fee.

Well I am assuming that Davis and JWP both will not play in central midfield and we replace Cork and Schneiderlin. That would leave four positions for the following players: Pelle Jay Rod Davis Ward-Prowse Tadic Long Mane Juanmi That is four players missing out each game.

Where in our squad / team is there space for him?

From Sky Sports. I have never seen him play and don't know what he will earn at Inter, but if he is as good as everyone says then isn't that deal a little on the low side?

No because that £2m or whatever it is negates Saints opportunity to buy for £6.8m. So it's an even playing field right now in every respect. The only thing you may say is that the loan fee we paid for Toby has been paid back to us giving us a little more money, that's all.

Still not enough. EDIT: Also, I'm aware briefing is a part of the game now, but did Liverpool really have to alert one of their biggest mouthpieces the moment they made the bid?

He's looked good, but a leg amputee would tonight against our lot who have been terrible. I thought he was a defensive midfielder but Italy deployed him on the left of a midfield three and he has looked capable both defensively and going forward. A bit like Steven Davis. But this is the first time I've ever seen him play so he may normally play in a different position and have a different style.

Chalobah has to be one of the most overrated players in the country. And this England team has been thrown together and look like a bunch of strangers.

I am not sure why you are being so defensive? It is going to be hard to replace two central midfielders in one summer. We'll have good funds to do so, but even if we sign good players 'on paper', we won't know if we've adequately replaced them until the other side of Christmas when they have settled in. Given that we know our team is based on a brilliant central midfield (in terms of defence especially), then it is a big ask. That is not to say it can't be done, but it's hard.

Going to be a big ask to effectively replace Cork and Schneiderlin in this transfer window.

Sorry, not sure I follow you on that one. You only want players at Saints who want to stay at Saints no matter what the interest from other clubs? I honestly don't think there is a single player in our squad that loves Saints to the point they would do that.

Managing to shift Osvaldo would be a big win.

I think it's just down to money. Not many better teams than Stoke in this country would want him.

No not an ITK, just been told by someone who I think would know. Said a deal has been agreed between the clubs. However, from what I can tell these days, that is just the start.

Schneiderlin to Arsenal for about £25m.

The Echo say this:

Surely a purchase of land would cost a significant amount and would be visible in the latest accounts? If so, it's complete crap.

If he is Sterling's replacement then it is a strange one.

How do you know he doesn't want to be at Saints? He may be happy at Saints but want to see if a better offer comes along - it hardly makes him the sort of player Saints doesn't need. If anything, I'd rather have a good player who attracts interest from other (better) clubs than one who isn't as good and has no interest.

The reports that suggest he hasn't told Saints whether or wants to stay or leave in the face of a bid from Liverpool makes me think that too.