DuncanRG

Too late! What makes you think that Cardiff aren't ambitious? They've got wealthy owners, like we do, and seem to be in the market for fairly expensive players, like we were when we got promoted.

On comparison between the two leagues, the way to think about it is how they would function in every way if the clubs switched. If Celtic were in the Premier League, and received that raftful of TV money that we just have, they would be a very strong side - loads of fans, loads of money, strong reputation, attractive in pretty much every way. They'd be in Europe without question. If we went to the SPL, for one the Liebherrs would bugger off because there's no money in it and no way of building a significant enough income, as there was when we were in League One. Provided we took our fans we would still be a half-decent side, around the top of the table but probably not challenging for the title. Without the TV money you've got a hell of a job to compete with Celtic's monopoly. If we played a competitive game against Celtic right now we might have a chance (I couldn't see us getting a result away from home, mind) but that doesn't mean we'd be a better team if we were in the same league.

I think we all need a reality check - Celtic to Southampton is not a step up. Not sure it's much of a step down either considering he'll be putting himself on the world stage every week, but Celtic are not a club to be sniffed at. You wouldn't begrudge Wanyama for holding out and seeing if a bigger club want to take him.

Getting a wee bit excited now. Can't wait for Nick Cave, Portishead, Half Moon Run or the Sunday night Park Stage secret set. Hoping it's Daft Punk.

Good album - fact you had to buy it when you got tickets was a bit dodgy though. Tour's a bit expensive for me considering I saw them at Download last year, but that was a great, great show. Far better than I expected and the setlist was absolutely top class.

Alex Crook: Being told that Inter Milan are 'snorting around' Gonzalo Bueno, bid expected #saintsfc

Indeed - Cardiff.

I wouldn't put Buttner joining Man United down to the media. Not sure you can ever begrudge a young player going to a club like that.

We agree on everything then!

I agree, but to claim we're more attractive than Spurs or Liverpool is ludicrous. They have money, and they don't need to be ambitious because they're already there. There are two reasons we're signing Spurs and Liverpool targets ahead of them - one is we're offering more money than they're willing to and the other is that we can offer more playing time.. Both applied to Ramirez, as an example.

I suspect you're trolling. If not...our 'ambition' is to be competing for top 6 in a couple of years - Spurs, Everton and Liverpool are already there. Hernandez isn't a young player that needs to be brought through, either. Current state of the team/club I'd rate us above Villa and Newcastle but historically there's no contest. Those things can be important to players moving to England.

Swansea aren't a bigger club but they and Everton have better teams. I suppose we'll see how their squads look as the season starts (and who's in the dugout for Swansea) but as it stands I expect them both to finish above us. Abramovich bought Chelsea ten years ago and they're now a major footballing superpower, let's not pretend we can compare ourselves to them. They were a bigger club than us before Abramovich anyway.

Steady on. Spurs, Liverpool, Everton, Swansea all much better footballing prospects. Spurs and Liverpool financially competitive. Villa and Newcastle bigger clubs.

That was my first thought. Not sure after that though, Everton couldn't afford him and Liverpool are probably after a different sort. Possibly Swansea but I suppose if he'd go there then we aren't totally out of the running.

Absolute dreamland signing. If he does want to go I imagine he'd go to another big English club - too big for us indeed.

Of course, but agents feed the media with potential asking prices, wages, bids and clubs who are interested. It jacks up prices and gets their clients a better cut. I read the media a fair bit and honestly didn't see anything for Mayuka, Forren, Gazzaniga, or Davis before they signed. I read about Rodriguez in the morning before it was announced, and Yoshida I think the same or possibly the day before.

Have we? The only Premier League signing I heard about before the day of announcement was Ramirez. Before that there may have been a little more talk but perhaps we have a stronger negotiating position now. Maybe the fact he went to the press is one of the reasons it took so long to wrap up the Ramirez deal, who knows? The media are certainly one source. If they weren't, agents wouldn't bother feeding them.

No...

Publicity will alert other clubs and could drive prices/wages up.

Not surprised, he had a shocker against Italy.

We're certainly not awful (even competing in a major tournament is a dream for most countries) but we're not as good as we could be considering the quality of our domestic league. Look at the top three leagues in Europe - Spain, Germany, Italy. These are also, you'd argue, the top three national teams. Something's not quite right that we're so far behind the elite.

Exactly the kind of tough-tackling, physical player we need. Did you hear Lee Cattermole's been allowed to leave Sunderland?

Good lord

Agreed. I remember my father taking me along to the Liebherr Cup when I was a wee boy. Can't believe it's gone after all these years.

Ah yes. I should probably introduce a 30-second thinking period before I post things.