UpweySaint

Don't see either deal happening but, if we had to lose Jose, would be fairly happy to have Rojo and ecstatic to have Morgan back.

Tricky opponent but would be a fantastic away day!

Seconded.

Les Reed's barber ... next pointless thread please!

Wow. Just wow. Or should I say WOW!!!!

You use a lot of urban slang ... "S'up L.Reed, wagwan with Jose Fonte?"

Okay I will indulge you ... he is new to the team, his fitness may be in question, tactical decisions... take your pick. If Puel keeps getting them wrong complain but after one game (a draw) it seems a tad premature, no matter what feeling you have, to make a doom mongering thread. I suggest you get a seat closer to the pitch ... but seriously, we created a few good chances, had the ball in the back of the net twice yet we are playing a new formation and may yet add new personal. Patience. Makes you feel better the boys in blue managed a spectacular 0-0 away to Crewe.

Good to see sometimes, nice to see a bit of passion and strikers demanding the right service. He may have sulked a lot but Graz certainly let his team mates know what he expected of them!

Seen better, seen worse from us. Not a great watch. Loved the ref telling Watford 'no more' on the time wasting then doing sod all about it for another half of football, like watching a cover teacher who has lost a class. They came for a draw and got it. Have to say a little disappointed by their travelling support. They were a friendly bunch but deathly quiet for 95% of the game even when they were ahead. Redmond looked bright, Tadic showed his class, VVD is just imperious. Targett was often in a lot of space but looked reluctant to drive beyond Watford - I wonder if this is tactical or if Bertrand will improve that area when back. Romeu was hit and miss but hopefully he can grow into the position, he had a lot to do yesterday though so hard to give him too much stick. The diamond will take a fair bit of work, not convinced but it's early days and we are still expecting new additions ... may need to wait till the season is properly under way before making any firm judgements.

Wont lie had heard of it but not seen much, watched him first game of the season and he looked a real prospect. Very direct, good movement off the ball, decent delivery and a finish in him. Perhaps a touch raw and Forest unlikely to sell cheap but hopefully we are at least keeping a watching brief. I wouldn't be too shocked if we resurrected our move for Solly March while we are talking championship.

Probably in a minority but bloody loved that, amazing to see just how far we have come as a club. I still have memories of seeing us being relegated amongst a pub full of WBA fans and having a sense of dread for the club. Don't get me wrong still very keen to see one or two more quality additions but sometimes it doesn't hurt to take a second and reflect on just how brilliant our journey has been over the last seven years.

We could just do a general pundit predictions thread?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36976438 Not sure if this is a good omen or not ... Lawro has us winning 2-1, 'The Blossoms' (a band) fancy us to get spanked 3-1!

Little bitter about it but it's a good step, hopefully we can look forward to other similar initiatives from teams across the league going forwards.

Is there any actual evidence of this? Think Fonte has earned being given the benefit of the doubt.

I would agree but to be fair we have developed a rep for bringing players on a level and the pre-euros rumours are what made me consider us as a possibility. Not sure he is the signing we are crying out for but could possibly fit into Puel's tactics and would be a good freebie to help give us a bit of squad depth at worst.

Putting two and two together and probably making five but this from gossip pedallers sky ... "Hal Robson-Kanu - It is understood that he's close to signing for an unnamed Premier League club. Negotiations over personal terms are at an advanced stage and it is hoped he will sign before the start of the season. Robson-Kanu was all set for Hull City last month, that deal is definitely OFF." Might fit with us. Attacking signing, close to being wrapped up and 'unnamed club' could well be us as we tend to play cards close to chest.

Cart very much before horse.

In that case very glad not to have deposited funds!

They say they live stream it for accounts with funds ... I tried to knock up an account to watch the game but don't fancy putting funds in simply to watch a friendly - hopefully the weekend game will be available somewhere.

bet365 claim to be streaming it, does anybody who has an account with them want to check that out?

He was no rent-a-quote but Adkins came across with a great deal of class IMHO. Him reciting the man in the glass was rather special.

Sky seem to think it's as good as done. Seems like a deal that makes sense all around.

The question is what we can actually afford under FFP and a desire to be a self sustaining business. Frankly I don't know and I don't believe you do either. You might be right that we are taking the cheap option but I think the board have earned a little patience and faith. Personally I hope we are not quite done and will wrap up a few deals by the end of the window. In my mind a keeper (McCarthy) and a forward with a bit of creativity (like Sisto but that might just be me being a footballing hipster!). Do you think the money made is not being recycled back into the club? Investment in academy, facilities, commercial development, long term contracts, contingency, transfers etc? If you consider the tying down some of our key players as big signings our transfer window looks a little better. Again maybe your view is correct but I think any definitive judgement could, and should, be saved until the window ends.

I think our ambition is to use that to build a platform for future success. Whether we can realistically fulfil that ambition in the current climate of big money swishing around is entirely different. I guess we either hope that our model - which could be considered a source of pride - works or we can draw in a big investor to let us do what some other sides are doing (with varied levels of success). It's clear you're not happy with the current situation but do you believe we have other genuine alternatives?