Baird of the land

He was never offered a contract in the summer to reject. Hence why it was a mess up. 'First team football is an excuse', think it's likely he doesn't feel overly valued at Saints. In fact Monk at Swansea suggested they were interested in the summer but Cork was committed to Saints at the time. 6 months later after being treated like a trialist he suddenly feels he might be more appreciated at Swansea.

IMO They messed up by offering him a contract at the last minute, rather than when others were given theirs in the summer. Think Cork's response might have been very different if it had of been. Being made to act like an apprentice on trial likely didn't make him feel overly valued.

Personally disagree, especially as it seems almost certain we'll lose Morgan in the summer. Big loss, big mess up by the club. Don't think Reed's ready and neither does Koeman clearly as he's already stated we'll need a midfielder if Cork Leaves.

Agree completely with Monk's assessment. Only reason he hasn't played more this season is he has been injured and we have 2 of the stand out performing centre mids of the season. Expect to look on with frustration as he excels for them.

Absolutely gutted that apart from dotting of I's and crossing of T's we have lost such an excellent player. Think it'll come back to haunt us. Time to cross fingers and hope that Koeman can bring in someone equally good in the next few days, without having to spend a fortune.

Yeah i consider him equally good as any of those names.

Yep still easily our third best centre mid, i'd still argue too that for certain games i'd still prefer Morgan/Cork dynamic.

Very disappointed if this turns out to be true, especially as it gives a rival club an excellent player. Think situation has been badly mishandled.

I'd give today's starting line-up another go.

Very disappointing to go out. Made even more so by the likes of Chelsea/Man C/Spurs going out. Suppose if we were going to have a poor display its better it came in the cup rather than the league. Hopefully we play much better next week against Swansea.

Good to see cork coming in. As promising as reed is, cork is what's needed in cm with Morgan and vic out. definitely strongest 11 which is nice to see.

Another midweek game for United then.

Keeping Cork should have been simple. Hoping the delay and messing him around doesn't cause us to lose such an excellent player. You'd think we'd be able to retain Bertrand. He's not as good potentially as Shaw but a good english youngish left back all the same. Can't see him going back to chelsea as first choice. Toby, would be an amazing coup, if he stays. Been convinced since start that he likely won't stay. Clyne, equally would be coup if he signs a new deal. Would show we can keep hold of english internationals. After last summer i'm rather doubtful. Champions League is the miracle at the end of the rainbow that might swing it our way. Jrod, if it weren't for the speculation, i'd be thinking he'd sign a new deal once fit. I certainly hope he gets back and shows a little loyalty.

Fonte had established himself alongside Lovren as a starter, from a position at the start of the previous season where i saw plenty seemed unsure of whether he should be starting. I'm glad he was made captain and offered a new contract. Imo Reed hasn't replaced Cork anymore than he's replaced Morgan or Wanyama. He's filled in but we looked so much better once Cork came on against Newcastle and so did Reed. I hope we don't have to see how hard and costly it will be to source a replacement of equal quality.

Koeman had the right to but he didn't exercise that right with Fonte who was in the same scenario. Personally think Cork will be hard to replace if he leaves as he's an excellent player imo.

Would be very disappointed if he leaves. Think he's an excellent player. No doubt we'll lose Morgan in the summer but losing Cork too would severely weaken the area of our team that has been our strength of late. Can't say i agree with Koeman's alleged ultimatum either(in echo) regarding signing the new contract, considering how long they left cork hanging in limbo.

Crazy thread, Davis is an excellent consistent performer. Jwp may be long term successor but not yet first choice in that role in front of midfield 2.

On the bright side the way city are playing without Toure may mean they get dragged back into the pack.

A draw ideally.

Well that's 3 points for West Ham.

Yeah don't see why we should make many changes, unless the odd player is carrying a niggling injury.

Maybe for you but Not to me. They are different but equally good. Likely moot as we'll most likely lose Morgan in the summer and I just hope cork/vic will be our starting pairing.

Goalie and defence pick themselves. Centre mid Morgan/vic or Morgan/cork offer different but equal qualities. Davis obviously in front of them Wide slots have me completely unsure. Probably tadic/Jrod but Elia/mane could take one of those slots if they consistently impress. Pelle obviously the target man

Cracking player, contributing massively even if he's not scoring. Goals will come just like they did for Lambert last season when he was going through a bit of a drought.

for me cork should come in for one of jwp/reed Long maybe in for tadic.