I don't blame him for leaving. Kean was manager. He picked a move for money alright though and it ended any hopes for a really impressive career. As you say, he could have been a top, top player. One of my favourites. How many players have had the same experience after moving to Russia for money?

God no. It would be horrible to see him here now in his current state. He was a colossus. Lets remember him like that. Van der Wiel not a bad shout at all. I wonder was he on much at Toronto

Can you count the UK as a flawed democracy after BREXIT? As in it was democratically voted for, but hasn't happened/isn't happening ?? I am half joking.

Nothing lasts forever no and of course there is that risk with older players, but plenty of 33 and 35 year olds still do well at this level and higher. The two lads did pretty well last season, so going off that would eleviate my concerns somewhat.

Would you? He has only played around 60 games in the last 4 seasons. If he was fit and hungry I would take him over Whelan, but you would have to admit Whelan appears to be the fitter and hungrier players at this point, even if he is a bit older.

Smallwood was way out of his depth last season, Whelan was playing for a promotion winning team. He has played practically all his career in the premier league. I like Conway, but comparing his cv to Downing shows the gulf in quality again, he played a lot last season for a team in and around the play offs Both have played most of their careers at the top level, even at their age they are improvements on Smallwood and Conway. Anyone with half an eye for football can see that.

He was never the most mobile. He sits in front of the back 4 and recycles the ball well. He is surprising good in the air actually, which is something we could do with. I do get you though, the thoughts of him and Evans together is a bit worrying very worrying. He could be a good partner for Travis, Davenport, Rodwell or Buckley in there.

Haven't Celtic offered £10 million for him?

So you are basing your opinion of him on one half of football? What "slow coaches" have we in the middle? Travis is young, vibrant and dynamic. Davenport will hopefully stay injury free this season. Evans is ,well , Evans, we will get the odd good performance out of him. Rodwell as well hopefully. Hopefully Buckley gets more game time too. A bit of experience in there wouldn't go a miss. Whelan is an impeccable professional and would only be a good role model for the younger players. Him and Downing on frees would be a good injection of experience at a low cost. Keep our budget then for a centre half.

If he was that busted a flush Smith wouldn't have started him in the first leg. The man who sees him training day in, day out. He is till starting in international football and he played well against Georgia last month. He will probably start against Denmark tomorrow evening. People should be banned from comparing any potential midfield signing over 30 to Danny Murphy. It is really boring at this stage.

It's not the same though. Brock has a great MMA record, so nobody could say anything. He was the heavyweight champion. Swagger is only getting started in MMA and has won 2 out of 2 Wade Barrett? I didn't even know he did MMA. In fairness Del Rio has a mixed record, but at least he won a few fights. More than he lost. Punk was humiliated. I can't see how he can come out and give it the tough guy in promos. I am sure some fans wouldn't care, but I think some will.

Ya, up to last season in a promotion winning team

I see. That's interesting.

Firstys Reed barely played centre midfield, so unless Whelan would be right wing, he isn't replacing Reed. What would concern you with regards our style if we sign Whelan? He isn't the most exciting player, but he keeps possession well. Agree about defence. I said earlier in the thread we should spend most if not all our budget on a keeper and centre half.

That's silly. Downing and Whelan are definite upgrades on Conway and Smallwood. Not sure what you mean by "priority first signings". Is that a thing?

They what?

Ya, I thought he was around 32, not 35. The timeless Glen Whelan ? Himself and Downing would be 2 great characters to add to the squad. Whelan is nothing if not robust, so I think he could still play every week. Not so sure about Downing in that regard. Not having a map of England could be an issue alright. Hey @Tyrone Shoelaces you surely have a few spare maps lying around at home? Or maybe you have just tattooed it directly onto your body at this stage

Well in fairness Boro and Villa signed both Downing and Whelan when they were in their 30s. They went on to feature in plenty of games and both times mounted play off pushes and Villa ended up going up. You cold also argue that Leeds could have done with some experience at key times

The article is nonsense and even if it wasn't, they still won't sell.

I don't see how Punk can come back after the shaming he got in UFC. All his opponent will do is bring it up in their promo. How can he be booked to look good after what happened?

Mmm. My mates would ridicule me relentlessly if this happened. Whelan gets a lot of stick from Irish fans. I think a lot of it stems from when he played CM with Andrews under Trapatonni. The tactics we played then meant that centre midfielders basically spent most of their time looking up watching the football go over their heads. Getting on the ball was not encouraged. It was frustrating, but effective enough as we were good defensively and had Robbie Keane upfront. Fell out of favour under O'Neill, but was back in Big Micks starting 11. When you look at his career you can see he played most of it in the Premier league (plenty under Hughes at Stoke) , started 23 games for a promotion winning side last season and is Mick McCarthys first choice centre midfielder, yet if you asked me what he is good at, I would struggle to say. He gets on the ball and keeps it moving and is a good organiser, that's about it. A good character though, that's for sure. He was interviewed the other day on Irish TV. He only knew Villa had released him when he saw it on TV. He said he Madrid on the phone though He sounded hungry to keep playing at a high level. His words were something like "I am willing to go somewhere and fight for my place, as long as it's a fair fight"

Would ye take 1-1.5 million for Bennett? He put a picture on instagram with his agent. I wonder would his agent run stuff by him about clubs being interested.

Gladwin has surely signed his. I imagine he signed it the minute it was offered. He wouldn't have any better alternatives. Probably on very little. Relatively of course.

I can do a great Yorkshire accent though. I put it down to listening to the most Irish of Irish men, Big Mick McCarthy ?

I don't think my accent would be too welcome at that. Going to try and get to a pre-season game though.