DuncanRG

There's an emotional element to it too, I'm sure. Some of the players will have seen Cortese as a father figure, and regardless of how well the club might be run in the future you wouldn't blame them for simply not feeling the same.

Oh get in the bin. He's left the club in fantastic condition, and at the time of writing he's the only person out of hundreds who has left. Even if the manager and a few players leave, he's left behind a great infrastructure and highly competent workforce. We as fans care most about the team, but the reality is that most of the staff that Cortese brought in to execute his plans will stay. He was the key man for sure, and we might not be able to continue his incredible level of success. But replace him sensibly, with someone who can lead those staff, and we will be okay. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cricket, no wonder they're reluctant to put money on the table.

The Sun's running it now. Anyone with a subscription able to fill us in on whether it's a report of other reports or offers anything new?

I'm not sure I see how Cortese threatening to leave would convince Katharina to sell. Chances are he's after investment again.

We all know he's leaked the story - the question is why he's done it.

We really don't know that.

Hold tight folks...

We've known this for years, which is a compliment and a worry at the same time. Is there anything in the article to suggest he's any more likely to go there now?

The justification defence refers to truth in defamation law. You have complete protection from libel action if you can prove the 'sting' of the libel (ie the most damaging allegation) to be true on the balance of probabilities.

Just me that really enjoys the football in the Premier League regardless of where we are in the table? The loss to Chelsea hurt just as much as any one of last season's which made us look favourites for relegation. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Horrible news - hope everybody's okay in the end. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pleased to see Mulumbu's a doubt. Their man of the match at the Hawthorns in August

That is a worry. West Brom's centre halves are slow but away from home they'll play too deep for Rodriguez to thrive up front on his own.

Is the guy legit? Safe to say I'd take any of their players. Who would they be snooping around from ours? Osvaldo? Lovren?

We improved considerably without spending last January. I expect we will sign a player or maybe two, but it's possible to progress mid-season without spending when you've got a young side. Summer is really the time to make the big changes.

Not sure he's the very best in the league but he can't be far off. All the usual names have been off and on this season. How many English centre halves have made it in Serie A, out of interest?

Is it worth asking how on earth Dan Harding's father-in-law knows about it? It's certainly interesting that Moyes has said in plain terms that the player they want isn't available. He must have got a very firm no. And as tough as Cortese might be, I can't imagine he'd give up that quickly with Southampton or that Lallana or Shaw would be the one player he's after.

Wait, how many referees are out to get us now?

If I'm not mistaken that's Aziz Ansari, who stars in Parks & Recreation. He's very funny

I think Lallana and Townsend were likely before Walcott was injured, but I don't think this opens the door wide enough for Rodriguez. Sterling is a good call.

Good player, but he's a dirty little so and so and he'd cost a fortune. Swansea will see us as one of their main rivals for a top half place so won't let him go cheaply.

We won't sell without a replacement.

Not for me. He looks the type of player capable of stepping up to the Premier League, but it won't happen quickly mid season and if we're signing another 'project' I'd like someone better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk