Donatello

If Fonte is even remotely comparable with Jos then we'd have struggled last year. He's simply a better footballer, let alone a (far) better defender. And frankly, I thought his performances during our first year (and his *first* year in such a competition) back were largely stable.

Says the person who's unable to differentiate between criticism over his conduct and disappointment over his transfer.....

You can isolate individual comments all you like, but the simple truth is most aren't of the persuasion you convey. And it's not unreasonable to highlight that our star players may not (automatically) be star players at their respective new clubs. The competition for places at Liverpool, Man U, etc, is far greater than it is here e.g. if Lallana replicates the form of his first season back in the Prem then he'll be supplanted sharpish. Furthermore, Levy is to stability, what Lallana is to humility (Villas Boas anyone?)

Couldn't disagree more, Morgan's a linchpin. Without him the midfield is immobile/lacks fluidity.

Thanks, Monk, truly.

Hmm, at worst it's comparable with Lambert's transfer which most understand. P.S Although Burnley fans will be disappointed, naturally/understandably.

What are the odds on selling him outside of the league, even if at a minor loss? A) To highlight the complete the tosh in the statement, 'my head is at Liverpool' (it's at the bank, mate), and perhaps more importantly, B) to prevent direct strengthening of opposition.

Adam Lallana: "I've changed". Or - Adam 'I've Changed' Lallana.

I'm struggling to understand how some posters appear to be unable to distinguish between disappointment over Lallana’s conduct (affirmed by the club statement *and* Guan) and disappointment over Lallana's sale I.e. most posters are aggrieved by the former. The Champions League/increased pay rationale is irrelevant because most accept that transfers occur. Heck, we've known about this one for weeks anyway, ergo, I imagine most of the disappointment over the transfer has long since dissipated. What we're left with now is acrimony and egoism.

It certainly does. But I would question to what degree the club cares about someone posting a smiley face sixty minutes before a transfer is officially announced. It generates a modicum of hype, if anything.

It may not, but it would certainly signal the forum's appreciation. Gratitude.

Cheers, Guan. I know it's somewhat immaterial now but I'd friggin' love to know if he did indeed waive his 'loyalty' bonus.

Please spill it, man, and spare us the theatrics.

Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.

I sincerely hope that the board created a situation in which AL was forced to submit a transfer request (thereby forfeiting potential loyalty payments - this is how it works, right?), if only to offset some of the damage caused by Bournemouth's sell-on-fee. You'd think that with a long-term contract being penned last summer that the board were in a strong enough negotiating position to instigate such a scenario. Furthermore, given that it was reported that we rejected £25m initially, it is safe to assume that the terms of the £25m have been renegotiated (i.e. more up front)? *cough* Guan *cough*