alpine_saint

Steady on, you arent allowed to hoist the happy-clappies on their own petard...

Nice. What a lovely attitude towards the bloke who pushed us over the finish line to the PL, and without whom we wouldnt have been in a position to the sign the players who you are w*nking over.

Wow, another lecture from an ÜberFan...

Bizarre. I gave my opinion. This thread is being derailled by those of you who cant handle it and want to take your ball home.

So at the very least we've prevented Billy from pursuing his PL dream for 2 seasons. I simply dont like the way we've treated him, and now the reason he was shoved out the door last season has been shoved out the door himself.

I bet you like the kit too.....

I lose faith in the seriousness of any such discussion when this mans head is raised to comment. This is the bellend who ordered the British force at Pristina Airport attack the Russians unilaterally during the Kossovo peacekeeping mission.

Several suggestions going round we've been difficult about letting him go. He still with us, not in our PL squad, so cant play.

Not being greedy if we've left ourselves unable to unlock defences or score goals.

Sort of agree, generally.. I would put players signed as B - due to Ramirez's failure to make a big impact last season, and the rumours that Osvaldo turned us down twice, I am concerned that our expensive talismanic foreign transfer isnt going to click. I am also concerned that the disruption to the Morgan/Corky understanding, which for me is as important as Claus/Killer was, caused by VWs introduction, may turn out to be more than what he offers us in terms of midfield improvement. Players moved out - C. We've jerked Billy about, who now faces 4 months without a game, and we've left ourselves short up front and even worse off for pace and width by getting rid of Puncheon and Mayuka.

Indeed. If this isnt a trolling thread, I hail from Swaziland. It looks a reasonable window on paper, maybe a bit better than that if Osvaldo and VW settle.

I still think Stoke did the best deal on deadline day...

So why are we stalling on a deal for the poor sod ? Is he back on the fringe of our plans, with Mayuka gone ??

Propaganda of Goebbels-like proportions. We've spent a lot of money, have an unbalanced squad, have failed to address a significant hole (in fact, its been widened by loaning out Puncheon) and major questions remain of our multi-million pound transfer from last season, let alone those from this season....

"Slightly" disappointing ? If Hooiveld goes, I am starting to think either we really dont get squad depth or we are financially overstretched. Cork is just going to be crass over-faith in the new signings, which I assume is similar in the case of Puncheon.

when I was living in the Soton last, I noticed often that if you go round some of the narrow council estate roads, where cars are parked on each side, that men often stopped and pulled in to let you pass, before you did the same. Women just used to come through straight at you. I swear the f**kers just closed their eyes and hoped for the best...

OK, so assuming this to be true, genuine strengthening of the squad, at least on paper, has given way in the last few days of the window to a worrying loss of diversity and flexibility in the squad. Lets hope MoPo has clear vision of where he is going formation- and tactic-wise, and just needs some gelling time.

Lovren - yes (was hard not to improve). The other two - not sure. I like what I saw of VW and would like it to work out, but worry about the Cork situation. With Osvaldo, I have my doubts about his motivation.

I would have said MoPo prefers them to run at players with the ball, but then he went and let Puncheon go

Or removing Gasthons blame-avoidance crutches......

more weak points. Lots of foreign players come to England and fail to make the grade here. Our youngsters have been developing with the English footballing culture in the background, so more quickly understand how things are when the hit the first team.

Dude, thats a weak, weak argument. Its a possibility, but having a proven track record counts for something. VW and Osvaldo have no proven track record in the EPL. You will also note I have not referred to Lovren. for me he is showing signs of settling into an effective CB for us, improving the defence measurably, even if the bar was admittedly already set low. As for the accusation I have reached a verdict, that's b*llsh*t. But at the moment it doesnt look good, and serious work is required on system an player interaction/understanding.

Squad - Maybe on paper First XI - lost Morgan/Corky understanding, non-functionality up front when playing Rickie, Osvaldo and no J-Rod, no width due to loss of Puncheon. For me the jury is out.

Equally as valid as assuming the best, which appears to be what some on here are doing...

Ahh. a chap on my wavelength, at last.... I prefer to abbreviate to "Schroedinger's Tw*t", myself...