UpweySaint

Sorry where does it say about option to sign? A couple of people have mentioned it but I can't see anything saying that on the OS ...

May help with the team blending both on and off the pitch if he knows somebody in the side. Can't say I know enough about him personally to make too much of a judgement but the sporting press seem to have positive things to say about him.

As above I stated rumours on twitter. May be utter bullsh*t but figured it was worth a thread that can be taken down if it can't be substantiated ...

It may turn out to be nonsense but the latest rumour doing the rounds on twitter is that there has been a 'bust-up' at Staplewood this morning involving three players. Hope this is not true! We are becoming something of a laughing stock ...

Err yes, yes it is. Unless there is a clause in his contract stating otherwise the contract ties him to the club, legally, in good times and bad. Imagine if we were doing well he (not picking on him as it is a general point) would happily accept bonuses on top of his contract so when things don't go well he is still obligated to pitch in. As much as I think we all would have agreed, prior to the exodus, should anybody deserve a move it would be him the club comes first and he may have to suck it up for a season. Still be plenty of interest next summer and will go out with his integrity intact should he buckle down and have another cracking season.

Champions league ... if he having a laugh? Jesus christ! Has the man seen the blinding squad?!?

Cheers, any update on time if and when you know would be great.

Refreshing to hear a player talk with such passion for the club (even if he is long retired!).

The first bit is not about the board's role at all, it is about players. I understand players wanting to leave (may not always agree with it) but I don't understand the way the board have conducted their business. You seem to be suggesting that a player wanting to leave means we have to sell ... we don't. Moreover if and when we do decide to sell it should be at a time that is in our clubs best interests ... ie when we have replacements sorted. You reference the money factor but we, as a club, have already made substantial gains yet appear to be prepared to lose yet more crucial players for our first team and I would not be too surprised if the rumours are correct and these deals would v much be on the terms on the bidding clubs.

Taken in isolation the deal may be seen as good (personally I don't think so but can see how others might) however there is more to a 'good deal' than the price.

I will second that. Surely we could have held off on departures until we actually had more of our own signings over the line? I still think we have a lot to offer but make no mistake this puts out a bad image no matter what spin Reed and co try to put on it.

Jesus christ it is as if nobody on the board has even heard of the word NO. Just because a player says he wants to leave does not mean we have to bend over backwards to make his wishes come true. The club is meant to come first. No bedwetting, no pitchfork wielding. If Koeman only wants committed players or we need the money etc that is life but I am baffled why nobody has sat down and tried to convince Chambers that it was too soon for him to leave.

At a basic level that is right but it is more the manner in which Dejan has gone about things that has upset folk.

Act like a professional and make his feelings known privately as not to undermine the negotiating position of his employer which made his last 'dream' come true... He may earn mega bucks, win an fa cup or two with Liverpool and be proven as a top quality player but he will always be a classless pr*ck

Holding back judgement but the board really could do with something positive for the fans. Somebody said it elsewhere ...imagine a statement will be tagged on with the next signing. Honestly would not be shocked to see us announce a couple at once and let Koeman do the talking.

I find it strange. You suggested that if Celtic lose it would imply Van Dijk and Forster are not good enough or not "so great" as you put it.

Strange logic. Even the best players are on the losing side now and then. I imagine saint charlie's point is no champions league seriously damages celtic's negotiating position. The players no longer have the option have champions league football if they stay and celtic, because of the clubs financial realities, would be more inclined to entertain sensible offers should they miss out on qualification.

Bit of gallows humour! I'm a struggling optimist really

Call that negotiating? 1) Get Stevie to 'ave a word with his season ticket. 2) It will complain to the press and refuse to sit in his wallet claiming broken promises. 3) Wait a day or two. Leak your interest in his season ticket to every media outlet you can find. Ask Lawro et al to shout about how your wallet is much more suited to a season ticket of this calibre. 4) Offer 16k plus add ons based on absurd stipulations like his ticket folding itself into an origami swan for the national side. Make sure they know it is take it or leave it. Repeat step 3 as necessary.

I don't go in for all the doom and despair myself but even I can understand where the likes of Batman etc are coming from. Selling players to big clubs happens but Chambers, barely into the first team, and already wanting out to sit on Arsenal's bench seems odd to me. Let's face it, we aren't exactly short of money so, even if it is an apparently 'huge' offer I see no reason we should have to accept. Replacements are all well and good but try rebuilding nearly half a team over a few weeks of pre-season and you honestly cannot expect it to go well. I think it is perfectly fair to criticise the club if we feel they are making bad decisions and, though decent signings would cheer the mood, their will still be dismay at the way our bright young prospects have all been flogged so easily!

Second hand and the seller not even putting out a les reed 'not for sale' statement ... not exactly raising your price! Though I am sure one of the top six will throw you a few million if you attach a post-it alleging your ticket has links to our academy.

This really. A bit naive to think but perhaps it could work in partnership with some of the smaller devon sides? We work with a group, the best of the bunch come to us, we send those that have not made it their way. Who knows we may have missed a real late bloomer or simply a few who may make it at a decent level but not quite in the premiership .... Echo the sentiments about the first team squad needing attention but, it's that word of the moment, 'holistic' approach to a club. Whether or not you trust our first team will be in good shape come the end of the window (I do, others don't, opinions ...) I see no reason we should not also be seeking to develop other areas of the club - especially considering it is our academy,and the respective satellites, that have produced some of the best players we have seen in saints shirts (and, arguably, one of the world's best!).

Can we not do both? Gnabry could arguably offer competition for JRod's place alongside the likes of McQueen. Plenty of game time to be had to both develop our own and play Gnabry.

Not sure that one needed a question mark

And this needed a new thread why ...?