StellarStripes

So they did play 433 then

The way football should be played imo. The dutch used similar systems too.

6mil for Krul? Fuck off man

Seriously? January. We have not lost ANYONE other than Carroll and even then it was the correct thing to do for the money. I'd sell Cabaye for 25mil. Krul for 20mil. Ben Arfa 20mil and Tiote for 15mil. Not a penny less for any of them and i'd not be upset at selling them for that price. I would however be upset if we did not invest all of that money back into the squad and there is NO reason to think they wouldn't. They did with the Carroll money.

Exactly ST - Striker (Central)

Aye in an ideal world another LF and a big hitting ST should be the two positions we really want to strengthen. That said...So long as we get another quality striker i am happy to see Gouffran play LF. I think he will offer a lot more this season. Time for Marveaux to have a full season and contribute too. Then we have Jonas who im happy to have round the sqaud but i dont want to see start often. Our best team at the minute is a very strong 11 when everyone is fit and in decent form. --------------------Krul Debuchy---Taylor---Colo---Santon -----------------Tiote ---------Sissoko---Cabaye ---Ben Arfa---Cisse---Gouffran When you look at that where do you think we can upgrade? -Im happy with the back four and no doubt M'Biwa will get a good bit of game time across the back 4. Haidara is good cover for Santon. Streete is training with the 1st team, Willo is OK cover and Dummett will go out on loan again. -The 3 in the middle are solid and i'd imagine their positions will be quite fluid. Anita will be the main cover with Bigi and Vuckic possibly getting a chance. Sell Gosling. I'd like to see Richardson and Newton get some minutes but they will most likely go out on loan. -Im happy with Ben Arfa and Gouffran starting wide and obviously we have Jonas and Marveaux as cover but another option (Sinclair/Ince) would be ideal. Ship out Obertan. Loan out Sammy and Fergy. -Upfront is obvious. We need a quality goal getter to challenge Cisse. Im happy for Shola to stay as cover whilst i hope we see Campbell alot more. The squad isnt that bad, its just a case of 2-3 quality players in, shipping out the dead wood (Gosling, Amalfitano, Abeid and Obertan) and giving a few youngsters more of taste for the 1st team squad.

When does ESPN release their schedule?

It does seem to be the case that we are missing out on our targets for the sake of 500k-1mil. Obviously it is alot of money but in this game, if you want to get these quality players over the line then you have to pay. Stubbornness could well fuck us over in the end. We will see.

Young, heard of his name positively. 2.5mil why not? I hope this is a sign of confidence with the transfer situations. Thickening out all areas which can be and thinning out the other. Would like to think there will be a few deals done in the next few days. Give the new lads a good pre-season.

Is willo definitely going like? Cardiff? -In that case we will need another CB. Unless AP thinks Streete, Satka or Mbabu are ready to be in and around the first team squad. I'd love to see us bring in a 1st team winger but i cant see us spending the money required to push Jonas out the team. Even then we dont know what system we will use. Will be go back to 2 striker? 442? Or will they want a striker who is equally comfortable play wider in a 433 with Cisse and Ben Arfa. That would be my choice. --------------------Krul Debuchy---Taylor---Colo---Santon ------------------Tiote ---------Cabaye-----Sissoko ---Ben Arfa---Cisse---??? SUBS: Elliott, Haidara, M'biwa, Anita, Jonas, Gouffran, ??? Reserves: Alnwick, Tavernier, Streete, Mbabu, Satka, Dummett, Bigirimana, Gosling, Newton, Vuckic, Marveaux, Obertan Shola and Campbell. Sammy and Fergie will go back out on loan.

Again i like what he has to say. Very honest. Funny how this doesn't make the media...in full.

And for that reason he would be worth the 50k a week. Have to agree with Gemmill however.

Aye but we never got Remy in the January, a few times it has been said that we still have that money aside for a striker, so, with the new tv money is it really that big of an ask for ashley to buy a second striker for around 5mil? I'd like to think they see it like that.

I've said it before, Bent is a proper finisher but his age, wage and value all go against a deal. If we could bring him in for no more than £5mil and 50k a week it wouldnt be a bad deal. He should not in any way be the main striker through the doors though. I'd be happy with a choice from Cisse, Remy, Bent, Gouffran, Shola and Campbell.

We aren't short at the back at all. Colo staying confirms this. If we can upgrade on Williamson however... A pacey well rounded winger, a creative central midfielder and two strikers is what we need.

I know that, i was just saying from the 3 similar players we've been linked with i'd rather have Sinclair anyway.

Sinclair, Redmond and Ince. I'd take Sinclair above the other two tbh. he'd bring a much needed option out wide. 5mil?

Thing is, Swansea after Bony...is that his level or is it that Swansea are more ambitious than us? We blatantly are gonna end up with Bent.

Pardew's clearly got his back up but dignified as ever. Personally i think this will all work out. Pardew will have learned from last season and will be eager to have another good season like the one that got him MOTY. People are squirming because there has not been any progress in the transfer market...yet. Like i've said before im holding out till the end of August before i cast full judgement.

I just hope the Aubabeyang deal doesn't drag on much longer. Our chances will fade the more protracted it is. Ashley just give them the 17mil they want. Invest! Then we need a winger and possibly a central midfielder. Get it done. I'm bored of this already.

Would have liked him to stay but I don't blame him for leaving. I'm more inclined to think its him wanting to be a regular than us shifting him on. Means Anita, Gosling and Bigi getting more game time. Good luck to him.

Even with the Wonga on the front, which has been done well btw, i like it a lot. The collar, the stripes and the bit of blue. I'll buy that if that is the official release. Edit: Blue and white letters/numbers on the back would look class.

I agree. I see us playing more a 433 next season and getting more from Debuchy and Santon from fullback. --------------------Krul Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon. -----Cabaye---Tiote---Sissoko. Ben Arfa, Cisse, Aubabeyang Elliott, M'Biwa, Haidara, Anita, Jonas, Gouffran and another striker.

I'm holding judgement on this until the start of the season. Kinnear could bring something to the table and we have not lost anyone yet. So long as we get the players in that we need and give them a good two weeks together before the first day of the season. I'm not seeing anything to worry about yet. I am expecting some positive transfer dealings to happen in the next week. Harper, Simpson, Amalfitano and Abeid out. I'd be hoping we get good clubs to aid the development of the youngins. Dummett, Newton, Tavernier, Richardson, Inman, Bigi, Vuckic, Sameobi and Campbell could all get spots in starting 11's in the lower leagues. I reckon we will see a few added to the development squad too. Zemen confirmed next week is a start. The big business needs addressing too though. A pacey young wide player, another big hitter to help Cisse and possibly someone to create from the middle. Anita, Tiote, Sissoko and Cabaye with an addition would be strong. As would the wings. Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Gouffran and Tom Ince maybe? Im looking forward to seeing it all pan out.

Exactly. I'm not happy about kinnear but I think there has been a grand scale over reaction. I'm happy to see what kinnear can bring to the table and so long as we are keeping our best players or at very worst selling for inflated prices whilst bringing in quality like January, I'm happy. No real concern as of yet.