UpweySaint

Hypo I can respect that as your opinion but would disagree. I understand the analogy but the internet plays by different rules then pals down the pub. A bit of billy bullsh*tting down the pub and it is likely to get as far as your mates mate big Colin whereas on here rumours gain traction, often get treated as gospel and can have wider consequences. Appreciate nobody has said anything to get bunched about on here but just wanted to sound a note of caution on the topic. Oldskoolsi I am not trying to say x or z should not be discussed if it is done in the right way. The difference is, for me, between dealing with established facts (ie Morgan wants to leave) which the player himself made a rather public show of is different to discussing speculation about Gallagher's personal life when he appears to be a private person and we do not actually know what he is dealing with. Anyway that is my two cents worth. Thanks.

We can but we don't actually know sod all so pure speculation seems counter-productive at best. I like that the forum is quite open and that we can discuss whatever posters feel like however I would urge a little caution and restraint when it may be about one of our players having off the field issues.

Seconded. Especially seeing as it is all speculation. If he does have off the field issues then it is probably best he can deal with them away from the spotlight.

Come on think most on the forum are if we lose away to liverpool it is par for the course. A drubbing may be hard to take mind. Any sort of result up there, though it may not signal the crazy rise to premier league domination, will rightly be celebrated as it would mean more than a lot of other games this season.

Thanks for sharing! Not sure of a topic but it would be great if you ever get the chance to see a piece with Pahars.

One more good cb and I think we can be quite happy with ourselves. VVD fits the bill for me. Strong in the air and can play out from the back. We still might fancy a winger and, possibly, a RB but we do have options from the development squad and do not necessarily need to enter the market unless the right player becomes available for the right place (ie we can do good deals on the likes of Byram or Solly).

As much as I think Koeman could have handled this better it is worth noting that Boruc was not his choice. Obviously I don't know what went on behind the scenes but, unless Roko had promised Boruc he would be his number one, there is no betrayal or disloyalty. The best thing Boruc to do is privately express his concerns to Roko, tell him he will prove him wrong, train like mad and take the first chance that comes his way.

Plays all sorts ...

True we are over inflated with centre midfielders but Armstrong can play wide too apparently ... Anyway nice to know we are watching good players

"Sky Sports understands several Premier League and Championship clubs are tracking Dundee United star Stuart Armstrong. The likes of Southampton, Burnley and Wigan are all keeping tabs on the Scotland Under 21 international captain." Well repped and seems like a decent fit. Being Dundee Utd imagine the price would be realistic too. If Gauld went for £3 mil plus add ons Armstrong won't be too different I would guess.

I like your wishful thinking. A very good player who could play up top, behind the striker or wide right. Again I would imagine he is beyond our financial reach both in terms of fee and wages. Unless of course he has some sort of agreement with Al Ain to release him for a set fee and he is prepared to drop his wages to have another crack at the premier league. Very unlikely mind!

We do have Stephens and McCarthy in the development squad who can both deputise at right back. If Koeman thinks they are good enough I would always rather see one of our own come through. Only difference for me is I have seen a fair bit more of Byram than the other two.

Not great news but could be media posturing. We leak we are no longer interested (perhaps suggesting other targets) to get Leeds to drop the price. Or, simply, the Echo may be wrong. I hope!

Hope this goes through. Despite Leeds being in a funny state it may be a decent move for Sharp (who is, despite questions over footballing ability, without doubt a top bloke) as I imagine he will get a lot of game time and it is close to his Sheffield roots. From our point of view hopefully it means they may be more willing to deal with us for Byram. Would love him as a signing. A similar player to Chambers and ticks the young English box!

Fair point but I guess for some, myself included, it is more the case of thinking we could have got more for the money. As it goes I have always liked Long and, despite the fee, am relatively happy with the signing (even if it isn't the most exciting) and rather trust the judgement of Roko and the recruitment team (who have often got more right than wrong).

As someone born in 1991 I can empathise. I certainly feel, though the best often left, the financial kilter was not as far gone prior to the 'sky' days. A title challenge, perhaps not. Establishing ourselves amongst the likes of the Spurs and Evertons of this world? Who knows. That is honestly it, we are dealing with massively hypothetical scenarios. The 'bigger' clubs all had to start somewhere. Sadly your assessment is realistic, if perhaps a tad pessimistic. I would agree with you about expectation but disagree about ambition. I don't think the fans, or the board, are foolish enough to believe we can go toe to toe with the big boys on their terms but we do have a plan, an idea about how we might be able to compete in sporting terms despite lacking the financial muscle of other sides.

About to post this one myself. The first paragraph sums it up for a lot of us ... in a different time it could have been the start of something brilliant and I imagine the writer speaks for most of us who, at some point over the summer, have thought "what the point of all this is if a team is dismantled as soon as it threatens to smash the glass ceiling." Seems like a fairly reasonable assessment of our chances but let's hope Roko has a couple more surprises up his sleeve.

Chuck him on ignore pal, does the trick. He's entitled to his own opinions of course but it can get rather repetitive.

The implications are clear but is that not a risk of making any new signing? It is part of football, it is a squad game. A new player comes in it us up to you to prove you are a better candidate for the position.

I'm worried they are going to find out he's not been painted with ronseal.

Wow dog with bone ...

Cheers, interesting read as it goes! Insights from those actually in and around talent recruitment and youth coaching are often fascinating

Fair enough, looks like a decent enough deal for us on the face of it, looking forward to seeing how he adapts to the premier league.

Usual question about a twitter source, any idea if he is credible?

I agree we are a sideways move and see Bony going onto bigger things than us but should we sign the likes of Rojo, Gardin, Redmond and Byram I think it shows more ambition than Swansea and we may be seen as a better option with forward momentum. Certainly not saying it is likely but stranger things have happened in football. Ings added to the other four on the list would be incredible! It would really show we mean business and, I think, we would have a far better squad than last year.